Nov
07
Hummingbird Feeder?
By
How do I keep insects, such as Wasps, Bees, etc. from taking advantage of my Hummingbird feeders?? I have them positioned in a high traffic area, the birds are used to us by now, and the Wasps and Bees are a nuisance and hazard, since small children are around as weel.
Any good suggestions?
6 Comments
November 7th, 2009 at 6:04 am
I don’t know how well this works but they say if you put crisco oil around the openings it will keep the bees and wasp away, they do make ant traps for humming bird feeders as well..
November 7th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Darlin’ I don’t have a clue but I wish I had “search engines” when my children were small. About.com covers gardening subjects, so does National Gardening, Audibon Society, & such. Good luck!
November 7th, 2009 at 6:48 am
I got to say good luck since it’s 98% sugar and remember no dyes that will make there eggs weak.the birds don’t mind the insects I have 6 of them up.1 tell the kids to look not touch and they will be OK the bee’s only want the sugar not the kid.2 it’s only humans that can’t live in hormany all other will enjoy together
November 7th, 2009 at 7:05 am
You can’t help the bee’s since the hummingbird feeder is full of sweet liquid and they are attracted to it. I would recommend trying a bee/wasp trap.
Here is an example of where to get one and what they look like:
http://www.biconet.com/traps/PICtrap.html
Hope this helps!
November 7th, 2009 at 7:22 am
for flying insects, get the hummingbird feeders with a criss cross bee guard across the feeding opening. or you could try stretching something there, but i don’t know what… perhaps onion bags? cut out a section and fasten it around with a rubber band or something.
for ants, attach a small paper cup, or can, or plastic lid above the hummingbird feeder, and coat the inside with some petroleum jelly. i only learned this last year and i was amazed at how effective it is.
i’ve also heard, but not tried, that piling grass clippings around the base of the feeder support keeps ants away.
it IS interesting to watch the birds and the flying insects work out their sharing arrangement. they are quite polite, usually.
November 7th, 2009 at 7:34 am
clean the humming bird feeder with vinegar an hot water
after the feeder is cleaned , rinsed &dried make the nectar.
1 part sugar
4 part water
bring water to boil . After water comes to boil turn heae off and add sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. DO NOT BOIL WATER & SUGAR TOGETHER.
do no add red food coloring or dye
do not add or use artifical sweetners
do not use honey[ it firmstes quickly & causes a deadly fungus
put fresh nectar in cleaned feeder and let cool before placing back up.
if there is any nectar left after filling feeder put in a container that has a sealed top and place in frigerator.until next refill, if there isn’t enough nectar to refill feeder, make more & let cool. Always place left-over in frig.
every 2-3 days to a week clean feeder & refill with fresh nectar
hope this helps.