The answer is yes: hummingbird feeders absolutely attract bears. Putting out sugar water creates a significant risk of human-bear conflict, especially in areas with active bear populations. Bears possess a powerful sense of smell, capable of detecting food sources like nectar from a distance. The primary driver is the high sugar concentration in the feeder solution, which presents a massive caloric reward for minimal effort.
The Caloric Incentive Driving Bear Attraction
Bears are biologically driven to seek out high-calorie food sources to sustain themselves and prepare for hibernation. This intense feeding period, known as hyperphagia, occurs primarily from late summer through fall, compelling bears to consume up to 20,000 calories daily. The sugar solution in a hummingbird feeder, typically a 1:4 ratio of white sugar to water, mimics a highly concentrated natural nectar.
A single 32-ounce serving of this sugar water contains roughly 3,200 calories, an easily accessible energy boost that wild food sources rarely match. The high fructose content triggers an adaptive metabolic response in bears, inducing a temporary state of insulin resistance. This allows the bear’s body to rapidly convert the sugars into fat reserves, storing the energy needed to survive the winter denning period. Because the reward is so great, a bear that finds a feeder will often return repeatedly, quickly overcoming its natural wariness of humans.
Prevention Through Feeder Management and Placement
Mitigation must focus on eliminating the reward and managing the environment, as a determined bear is difficult to deter. Hummingbirds do not feed at night, so all feeders should be taken down at dusk and secured indoors until dawn. When storing feeders, they must be kept in a secure location inaccessible to a bear, such as a locked shed or sturdy garage.
Never store feeders or the sugar solution on a porch or in a location a bear can easily access or smell. The physical placement of the feeder requires careful thought to make it difficult for a bear to reach. Thorough maintenance is also necessary, requiring the immediate cleanup of any spilled nectar or sticky residue, as the residual scent is a powerful attractant.
Feeder Placement Guidelines
One effective strategy is to suspend the feeder from a thin wire strung between two poles or trees, ensuring the feeder hangs at least 10 to 12 feet high. The feeder must also be positioned a minimum of five feet away from any structure or tree trunk that a bear could climb.
Essential Safety Measures During a Bear Encounter
If a bear is already present near your property or feeder, the response must prioritize de-escalation and safety. The primary rule is to never run from a bear, as this can trigger a chase instinct; instead, remain calm and stand your ground. Slowly back away while speaking in a calm, firm voice, giving the bear a clear path to escape the area.
If the bear remains close but does not approach, you can attempt to scare it away by making loud noises from a safe distance. For close-range encounters, having bear spray readily available and knowing how to use it is a proven deterrent. If a bear persists in visiting your property, contact your local wildlife management agency, as this indicates the animal may be becoming habituated and require professional intervention.
Bear Encounter Actions
If you encounter a bear, follow these safety measures:
- Remain calm and stand your ground; never run.
- Slowly back away while speaking in a calm, firm voice.
- Make loud noises, such as yelling or banging pots, if the bear does not approach but remains close.
- If the bear approaches aggressively, deploy bear spray when the animal is about 40 feet away.