How do I keep bees out of my hummingbird feeder? 5 easy tricks to try

Hummingbirds are one of the most beautiful birds to watch, no wonder you’d like to attract them to your backyard with a feeder. However, you may have noticed that your hummingbird feeder is attracting bees. While small pollinators are very important to our entire ecosystem, their presence around the feeder is less than ideal.

There are ways, however, to discourage bees from your feed so you can enjoy the birds themselves. We need to encourage bees in other ways, such as wildflower gardens, which are very helpful in promoting biodiversity. But in this way, they can be influenced away from the hummingbirds.

We sought out the experts for the top tips for keeping bees away from your hummingbird feeder, and they’re definitely more effective than just buzzing off.

Why are bees attracted to hummingbird feeders?

First and foremost we need to answer this question to find the root cause of this problem.

‘Bees, like wasps, are attracted to the sweet nectar of birds
they feed me,’ says founder of the gardening blog Urban Organic Yield, Lindsey Hyland.

‘As they search for food, they are naturally drawn to high-energy sugar sources. Bird feed juice, which has a high sugar content, proves attractive to them,’ he explains.

This can be frustrating for bird watchers, especially since bees have the ability to attack hummingbirds. Although there are many ways we can prevent bees from the site and encourage them elsewhere.

1. Keep it in the shade

The location of your feeder will have a big impact on whether or not it will attract bees. Choosing a location that is unattractive to bees will discourage them.

‘Keeping your hive in a shaded area can help prevent it,’ says beekeeper Charlotte Wiggins. ‘Bees are less active in the shade and will not be inclined to go into the dark to find food.’

It is also helpful to move your ration regularly. Like most animals, bees rely on a specific food source and will return every time they learn where your food is. Moving your feeder every few days can keep them guessing.

hummingbird feeder

2. Keep it away from pollinators

This advice is also location dependent. Placing your food among other bee attractants is not a wise choice. Try to avoid other food sources and pollinator favorites.

‘Keeping your feeders away from sources of water and sap, such as trees and flowers, is another way to keep bees away from your hummingbird feeders,’ says Lindsey. These conditions are not always available, it’s just a matter of finding a way to make your feeder as unattractive to bees as possible and provide a better alternative elsewhere.

3. Buy a bee keeper

If you are an avid bird watcher it may be worth investing in a bee guard, or a nectar guard like this one from Amazon to keep the bees from feeding on the hummingbird food. ‘Nectar guards are small screens or discs that fit over the ports of hummingbird feeders,’ explains Charlotte. ‘They make the holes too small for the bees to get through, but they allow the wasps to eat.’

If your garden is home to bees, this could be your solution.

the guards are hot

Nectar guards for hummingbird feeders

4. Create bee barriers

hummingbird feeder

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There are certain things that bees don’t like, and combining these things can create a successful barrier without causing harm. However, gardening tips to attract wildlife will appeal to both hummingbirds and bees.

‘Place brightly colored ribbons or glittery displays around your bird feeders as a deterrent to bees,’ says Lyndsey. ‘These things create movement and light that will discourage bees from hunting.’

Plus, hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, especially red, so this vibrant display will also help attract birds.

5. Make room for bees

Wild flowers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This last tip is to create a more attractive bee habitat than a hummingbird feeder. This is also a really important thing to do to promote animal diversity and strengthen ecosystems.

Bees need food, and with so much urbanization it’s important that we fill this space where we can. Creating areas that provide a reliable food source will not only keep the bees healthy, but they will keep coming back and staying away from your feeder.

You can create a food court in an urban yard. ‘Set up a small, shallow bowl filled with a sugar water solution (one part sugar, four parts water),’ says Lindsey, ‘This will attract the bees, giving them the nutrition they need while helping to keep them away from yours. the food of rats.’

Alternatively, you can choose bee-friendly plants. ‘Plant a garden with plants that attract bees, such as trumpet vine, salvia, and bee balm,’ says botanist, Zahid Adnan from The Plant Bible. There are so many beautiful flowers to attract bees, you are spoiled for choice.

These simple tricks will help you keep the bees safe and happy, while you enjoy your hummingbird feeder.

a mixture of wild flower seeds