Attracting hummingbirds to your garden is a delightful experience, but unwanted bee visitors can quickly spoil the show. Bees, while beneficial, aren't interested in the same sugary nectar as hummingbirds and can even aggressively compete for space at your feeder. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to deter bees while still keeping your hummingbirds happy.
Understanding the Problem: Why Bees Are Drawn to Hummingbird Feeders
Before diving into solutions, it's helpful to understand why bees are attracted to hummingbird feeders in the first place. Simply put, they're attracted to the sweet nectar! The brightly colored feeders and the readily available sugary liquid are irresistible.
Common reasons for bee attraction:
- Sugar concentration: Hummingbird feeders often use a simple sugar-water solution. Bees find this equally appealing.
- Accessibility: The open ports of many feeders allow easy access for both hummingbirds and bees.
- Scent: The sweet nectar releases a scent that can draw bees from a considerable distance.
Effective Strategies to Keep Bees Away
Now that we understand the problem, let's explore proven methods to keep those bees away from your hummingbird feeders:
1. Adjust Your Nectar Recipe:
While a simple sugar-water solution is convenient, it's also attractive to bees. Consider these adjustments:
- Reduce Sugar Concentration: Bees are less drawn to less concentrated sugar solutions. Experiment with a slightly weaker mixture than you typically use.
- Add a Bee Deterrent (with caution): Some gardeners report success adding a small amount of lemon juice or vinegar to the solution. Important Note: Always test any additives on a small scale first and thoroughly research their potential impact on hummingbirds before widespread use.
2. Choose the Right Feeder Design:
The design of your hummingbird feeder plays a crucial role in deterring bees.
- Red Color: Bees aren't as strongly attracted to the color red as hummingbirds are. Opt for red feeders to help discourage them.
- Smaller Perches/Feeding Ports: Feeders with small feeding ports and perches that bees struggle to land on are more effective. Look for models designed specifically to discourage bee access.
- Specialized Bee Guards: Some feeders incorporate built-in guards that prevent bees from accessing the nectar ports while still allowing hummingbirds to feed easily.
3. Strategic Placement and Maintenance:
The location and upkeep of your feeder significantly impact its attractiveness to bees.
- Placement: Position your feeder away from areas with high bee activity, like flowering plants. Keep it away from shaded areas which bees tend to prefer.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean your feeder regularly to prevent mold and bacteria growth. This will also help reduce the lingering scent of nectar which attracts bees.
- Frequent Nectar Changes: Fresh nectar is less likely to attract unwanted guests as it doesn't have the same potent scent as older, fermented solutions.
4. Consider Alternative Feeding Options:
If you're still struggling to deter bees, you might consider supplementing your hummingbird feeder with alternative feeding options:
- Flower Gardens: Planting a variety of hummingbird-friendly flowers is a great way to provide a natural and diverse food source for hummingbirds, often drawing them away from the feeder and reducing competition from bees.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce bee visits to your hummingbird feeders while ensuring that your feathered friends still have access to the nourishment they need. Remember that patience and experimentation are key. Find what works best for you and your local environment.
