keeping wasps off feeders?

[grin_n_baert]

Does anyone know how to keep wasps and bees off of my feeders? I have ant traps to keep ants away but haven't figured out how to keep wasps ans hornets away.

thanks
chris

[bobky]

Hello,

There are several types of feeders that will prevent wasps and bees from feeding.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/humzinger.html

http://www.onlypetsupplies.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?keywords=HUMMINGBIRD_FEEDERS_NECTAR&search=action

CHeers,bob

[xanadu]

I was told just today to use vegetable oil, so I did. I just dabbed it on my index finger, liberally, and spread it upon the hummingbird feeder ports, and I stood back to watch. As the sun heightened, and the yellowjackets commenced to invade, they approached the ports and were dissuaded. I was gleeful. Great idea.

[shelley810]

I was told just today to use vegetable oil, so I did. I just dabbed it on my index finger, liberally, and spread it upon the hummingbird feeder ports, and I stood back to watch. As the sun heightened, and the yellowjackets commenced to invade, they approached the ports and were dissuaded. I was gleeful. Great idea.

hhhmmmm---me thinks I am going to try this....the yellow jackets are bothering ME....the little hummers seem to not be so worried, they either boot them off the port or go to a different one. I don't care for many of the hummingbird feeders that are on the market with the so called bee guards. It's the feeder itself that I have a problem with.... many need to be "burped" or else a good wind will drain it. After many years of trying and many dollars spent, I've finally hit on what appears to work the best for me and the hummers, but didn't know what to do about the bees!!
Thanks,
Shelley

[birdpotter]

The best way to keep bees off of feeders is to remove any yellow "bee guards". Yellow attracts the bees. Go figure. Also, saucer type feeders have a good reputation for disuading bees as well.

I'd warn against putting ANYTHING on your feeders such as oil. It can gum up the Hummers' feathers. Bees and wasps are notoriously odd in that if you simply move the feeder a few feet from it's current position they'll not be able to find it again.

My favorite solution to the Yellow Jacket problem is a Badminton Raquet! Knocks 'em spinnin' in multiple pieces. And the exercise is good for you. You swing and make contact and an amazing sense of accomplishment washes over you. If you miss however, you swing like crazy, and if you didn't get it then by luck, then you run around the yard for a minute. ;)

Practice, practice, practice. ~Nate.http://home.comcast.net/~phampton246210mi/Nate/hellobye.gif


I agree with not putting anything on feeders to deter other insects.
Yeah, and who the heck thought of these so-called bee guards anyway?
Yep, don't get a feeder with yellow on it and moving it, even it is just a little bit, could do the trick.

Elizabeth

[crickieheather]

hhhmmmm---me thinks I am going to try this....the yellow jackets are bothering ME....the little hummers seem to not be so worried, they either boot them off the port or go to a different one. I don't care for many of the hummingbird feeders that are on the market with the so called bee guards. It's the feeder itself that I have a problem with.... many need to be "burped" or else a good wind will drain it. After many years of trying and many dollars spent, I've finally hit on what appears to work the best for me and the hummers, but didn't know what to do about the bees!!
Thanks,
Shelley

I had a feeder that needed to be 'burped' as well! I replaced it with a Hummzinger and I've never looked back. :) It's saucer shaped, so the wind just goes around it. No yellow bits to attract wasps either. :)