The sugary liquid inside a hummingbird feeder is a highly attractive food source for bees and wasps, as it mimics the nectar found in flowers. Their presence at the feeder can be detrimental to the tiny birds you are trying to attract. A large swarm of bees can prevent hummingbirds from feeding, and aggressive wasps may even chase them away. Contamination of the nectar by insects can also make the food source unhealthy for the birds.
Physical Adjustments to the Feeder
The design of the feeder itself offers the first and most effective defense against insect invaders. Selecting a feeder with specific design elements can naturally exclude bees while remaining fully accessible to hummingbirds.
Prioritize feeders with bee-proof feeding ports, such as saucer-style models. These designs position the nectar reservoir well below the feeding opening, often a half-inch or more, which is deeper than a bee’s tongue (proboscis) can reach. Hummingbirds, which feed using a long, lapping tongue, can easily access this deeper nectar source.
Color selection is another tool, as bees and hummingbirds have different visual preferences. Bees are strongly attracted to yellow and blue because they see ultraviolet light patterns. Conversely, hummingbirds are drawn to red, a color bees tend to ignore. Choose feeders that are predominantly red and avoid any yellow plastic parts, especially around the feeding ports, as these act as a visual signal to insects.
Specialized add-ons, known as bee guards or nectar guards, can also be fitted onto existing feeders. These use a fine mesh or plastic barrier that blocks the wider bodies of insects but allows the hummingbird’s slender beak to pass through.
Strategic Placement and Environment Control
Manipulating the feeder’s location and surroundings can reduce the number of bees that find it. Bees are more active and prefer to forage in open, sunny areas, as this warmth helps them regulate their body temperature. Moving the feeder to a partially shaded spot will make it less appealing to bees, while also helping the sugar solution stay cooler and slow down fermentation.
Place the feeder away from any blooming flowers or gardens, which are the insects’ natural feeding grounds. By putting distance between the feeder and a flowerbed, you avoid capitalizing on the existing bee traffic in that area. If the bee problem is persistent, try moving the feeder a short distance—perhaps 4 to 10 feet—to a new location. Hummingbirds will quickly re-find the relocated food source, but the change can confuse the bees, who rely on memory and convenience for their foraging routes.
A highly effective method is setting up a diversion feeder 10 to 25 feet away from the hummingbird station. This decoy feeder should be placed in a sunny spot and can use a slightly sweeter concentration of sugar water. Bees are attracted to a higher sugar concentration than hummingbirds prefer, providing the insects with an easier food source elsewhere.
Adjusting the Nectar Solution
The quality and composition of the sugar water play a role in bee attraction. The standard mixture is a ratio of one part refined white sugar to four parts water. This concentration is optimal for the birds and matches the sucrose content of natural flowers. Making the solution any stronger, such as a 3:1 or 2:1 ratio, increases its appeal to bees and wasps.
Maintain a clean feeder and immediately address any leaks, as spilled or dripping nectar is a primary draw for insects. Sticky residue on the exterior of the feeder or around the ports acts as a beacon, inviting bees to investigate. Always clean the exterior thoroughly after refilling and ensure all components are tightly sealed to prevent drips. Never add commercial insect repellents, oils, or food coloring to the sugar water, as these can be toxic or harmful to hummingbirds.