Bees! (1 Viewer)

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oldvet

Member

• Sep 28, 2014

• #1

Just in the past week my hummingbird feeders are being swarmed by bees. Does anyone have any info. that might help or explain what is going on? I would appreciate any replies.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Sep 28, 2014

• #2

My hummer feeders no. My Oriole feeders with the grape jelly YES!

I have read that you can cut back on the sugar in the nectar a bit and it is supposed to discourage the bees but I have not tried it.

Here's a link for some suggestions: Hummers

BTW, Hi oldvet and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

 

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oldvet

Member

• Sep 28, 2014

• #3

thanks, I will try it when I need to refill and check out the new site for suggestions.

 

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TFM70

Well-known member

• Sep 28, 2014

• #4

I have fed hummers for many years and this year is the first I have ever been bothered by bees. I believe someone near my house has started bee keeping. I keep seven feeders on my back porch and they were so covered with bees, the hummers couldn't get to them. I also keep two feeders on my front porch, no bee problem there.

 

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oldvet

Member

• Sep 29, 2014

• #5

I found out yesterday that a person has bees approx. four blocks away and this could be the source of my prob. but I did move my feeders from my patio area to a shaded area. I can still observe the hummers, but not as close as I am accustomed too. Oh, and the bee problem has disappeared. I will move them back to the patio area next spring and if the prob. occurs again, I will know what to do. Thanks all for the suggestions and help.

 

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oldvet

Member

• Sep 29, 2014

• #6

I moved the feeders to a shaded area away from my patio and all the flowers and plants and guess what? No Bees. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Sep 29, 2014

• #7

Well, that would explain why my hummer feeders are not bothered by the bees as they are all in the shade.

 

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TFM70

Well-known member

• Oct 7, 2014

• #8

A neighbor told me her method of keeping bees off a feeder.PAM, the anti stick spray used to keep food from sticking.I tried it on two feeders and it sure seems work and the Hummers still feed. Wish I had known it earlier in the season, there would have been a lot more bees alive today.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Oct 7, 2014

• #9

Another recourse discussed on my Humnet listserv is to rub almond extract around the ports but make sure none goes into the ports.

 

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beakiebird

Member

• Feb 8, 2015

• #10

oldvet said:

Just in the past week my hummingbird feeders are being swarmed by bees. Does anyone have any info. that might help or explain what is going on? I would appreciate any replies.

Click to expand...

Hi! I had the samae problem last year when the bees were swarming. I called a 'Bee-Guy' and he said they will do this occasionally when on the move and need a quick food source. The 'Bee-Guy' said I did not have to do anything as bees and birds always figure these things out for themselves but I did not want them to create a new home in the building, which the bees have done in the past, so I filled the feeders with plain water and made sure the bee guards were in place and the bees left within two days and have not returned. May-bee (teehee) this will work for you. 3

 

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PumaMan

Well-known member

• Feb 14, 2015

• #11

I love to watch the Gila Woodpeckers land on my HB feeders. They aren't a bit afraid of the bees, snapping at any of them that get within range while they drink the nectar.

I feed the bees every day -- in another pan. This, for the most part, keeps them away from the HB feeders.

 

ducbucln

Well-known member

• Feb 15, 2015

• #12

I have the bees every year and have tried many things but these new feeders seem to be the only thing that helps slow them down anyway. It also has the built in ant guard which has also been a problem.

http://www.birdfeeders.com/store/hummingbird-feeders/209b