With all this in mind, it’s best to deter bees, rather than trying to destroy them. Finally, honey bees are rarely aggressive when compared to wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. Without them, it would be impossible to grow crops.Īlso worth considering: The honey bee population is experiencing such a massive decline that scientists are extremely worried about their long-term survival. These insects truly benefit the ecosystem and serve as pollinators to flowers, trees and vegetables.

While it’s easy to agree that wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are not good to have at a hummingbird feeder, the same can’t be said for bees. Many feeders have Bee Guards, features which keep wasps, hornets and yellow jackets from reaching the nectar. These insects aren’t smart enough to look for their food in a new place. Remove the feeder for a few days, and then hang it up again in a slightly different location. Seal your garbage cans and thoroughly rinse your recyclables before putting them in their bin. Limit wasp, hornet and yellow jacket attractants. Set up a wasp trap, which will focus their attention away from the feeder.

To help eliminate a bothersome group of wasps around a hummingbird feeder, try these tips: They can also be aggressive toward hummingbirds - and humans, too. Unlike bees, these creatures aren’t known for helping to pollinate plants in a significant manner. These insects are a real nuisance at feeders. For the purpose of this discussion, know that the suggestions below pertain to all three. When people say they have “bees” on their hummingbird feeders, they usually mean that they have an invading army of wasps, hornets or yellow jackets. Other insects consider the hummingbirds themselves the meal! The good news is you can actually help your feathered friends in these battles. Some of them catch a meal from birds indirectly. In fact, some birds actually eat dozens of insects every day!īut few people realize that many bugs also gain a benefit from the hummingbirds around them. The most obvious conflict comes from the fact that nearly every hummingbird species preys on insects! A large part of their diet revolves around the protein, fat and other nutrients derived from chowing down on the bugs they capture. These beautiful birds often compete for the same food sources, so it’s not surprising when conflict erupts between them.Įven beyond that particular issue, bugs and hummingbirds often find themselves at odds. What you may be less familiar with is the lesson about how birds – hummingbirds, in particular –have to deal with bees, wasps and yellow jackets. We’re pretty sure you already know all about the birds and the bees – at least in the form of “the talk” parents have with their kids as they reach that certain age.

Perky pet hummingbird feeder bee guard