The sugary solution intended to fuel the high-metabolism flight of hummingbirds often becomes a prime target for yellow jackets, creating a conflict at the feeder. These wasps are aggressively drawn to the concentrated sugar, especially as natural food sources diminish in late summer and fall. Their presence can intimidate and exclude hummingbirds from accessing the nectar. Effective deterrence relies on modifying the feeder itself, managing its location, and strategically redirecting the insects’ foraging efforts.
Physical Modifications to the Feeder
Feeder Ports and Color
A primary strategy for deterrence involves altering the physical design of the feeder to restrict access for larger insects. Utilizing bee guards or specialized ports reduces the size of the feeding opening. These guards are designed with small openings that accommodate a hummingbird’s long, thin bill but prevent a yellow jacket from reaching the nectar. The color of the feeder also plays a significant role, as wasps are visually drawn to yellow. Feeders should be predominantly red; if the feeder has yellow decorative parts around the feeding port, these sections should be covered or painted red to minimize the visual cue.
Design to Prevent Leaks
The overall design of the feeding apparatus can mitigate the problem by reducing accidental spillage and leaks. Dish-style feeders, which hold the nectar in a shallow basin with ports on top, are generally less prone to dripping compared to inverted bottle feeders. This design keeps the nectar level below the feeding ports, making it inaccessible to insects unless a hummingbird is actively feeding. Inverted styles often rely on a vacuum seal, which can fail or leak due to heat expansion, leaving drops of sugary residue on the exterior that attract wasps.
Strategic Placement and Maintenance
Cleanliness and Nectar Management
Preventing leakage and maintaining cleanliness are key factors in reducing yellow jacket interest, as even a small drop of spilled nectar attracts insects. Feeders should be checked daily for dripping or seepage, especially around the ports. When refilling, avoid overfilling the reservoir, which can cause the nectar to expand and leak in the heat. After refilling, the exterior must be thoroughly wiped down to remove any residual sugar film. This routine cleaning should also involve regularly changing the nectar, maintaining the standard 1:4 ratio of sugar to water.
Feeder Relocation
Feeder placement can also influence the number of insects present by making the food source harder for them to locate. Relocating the feeder a short distance of just a few feet can disrupt the established flight path of foraging wasps. This simple change makes it more difficult for yellow jackets to re-establish the food source location, while hummingbirds adapt almost immediately.
Diversionary Trapping Methods
Establishing a separate, more attractive food source for yellow jackets protects the feeder. This involves setting up dedicated traps to redirect the insects away from the hummingbird nectar. Place these traps 20 to 30 feet away from the feeder to draw the wasps to an entirely different zone.
Spring and Early Summer Bait
The bait used should be adjusted based on the time of year, reflecting the yellow jacket’s seasonal dietary needs. In the spring and early summer, the colony requires protein to feed its developing larvae. Traps should be baited with protein sources, such as wet cat food, canned chicken, or small pieces of raw meat.
Late Summer and Autumn Bait
As the season progresses into late summer and autumn, the colony’s nutritional demand shifts to carbohydrates for adult energy. This is when yellow jackets become most bothersome, so the trap bait must be switched to sugary substances. Examples include fruit punch, soda, or a heavily sugared water mixture. Providing a concentrated sugar source successfully reroutes the foraging wasps, allowing the hummingbirds to feed undisturbed.