Gardening

Suich

(10,642 posts) Sat Aug 16, 2014, 09:44 PM Aug 2014

Hummingbird feeder question

I have two small ones and the bees have discovered them. Does this mean the hummingbirds will not use them any more?

TIA!

5 replies

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Hummingbird feeder question (Original Post) Suich Aug 2014 OP

you have to have what are called bee guards.. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2014 #1

I googled bee guards and I don't have them. Suich Aug 2014 #3

My hummers are not bothered by most bees, but they don't like the white faced hornets! NRaleighLiberal Aug 2014 #2

A small bowl of something sweet - like grape jelly or honey - on the ground near your feeders ... Scuba Aug 2014 #4

I am not sure if this will work or not, Curmudgeoness Aug 2014 #5

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)

1. you have to have what are called bee guards..

Reply to Suich (Original post)

Sat Aug 16, 2014, 09:56 PM

Aug 2014

they are lil plastic inserts that keep teh bees from getting into the water.
You may have them on the feeders now and not notice them.
The birds use the feeders even if bees are buzzing around it.

Suich

(10,642 posts)

3. I googled bee guards and I don't have them.

Reply to dixiegrrrrl (Reply #1)

Sat Aug 16, 2014, 10:19 PM

Aug 2014

As long as the hummingbirds will keep coming around, I don't have a problem with the bees.

Thanks!

NRaleighLiberal

(60,500 posts)

2. My hummers are not bothered by most bees, but they don't like the white faced hornets!

Reply to Suich (Original post)

Sat Aug 16, 2014, 10:11 PM

Aug 2014

The birds chase the bees and vice versa! They are the bees that make the big oval papery nests in trees - seem like really nasty ones.

Scuba

(53,475 posts)

4. A small bowl of something sweet - like grape jelly or honey - on the ground near your feeders ...

Reply to Suich (Original post)

Sun Aug 17, 2014, 03:57 AM

Aug 2014

... will attract the bees and hornets and keep them away from the hummingbird feeders.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

5. I am not sure if this will work or not,

Reply to Scuba (Reply #4)

Sun Aug 17, 2014, 11:12 AM

Aug 2014

but I'm going to try it for the bees as well as the ants. I have a feeling that they will end up bringing all their friends and they will just be munching on both the sweets on the ground and the hummingbird food...but I think this is worth trying, especially if I can find something that is more appealing to them than the sugar water.

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