How to Keep Bees Away from Hummingbird Feeders: Tips and Tricks for a Bee-Free Feeding Station

Hi Friend,

Hummingbirds are a joy to watch as they dart around your garden, sipping nectar from feeders. 

However, these feeders can also attract bees, which can be a nuisance for both you and the hummingbirds. 

Bees can monopolize the feeder, preventing hummingbirds from accessing their food. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore effective strategies to keep bees away from your hummingbird feeders, ensuring a peaceful and bee-free feeding station.

Why Bees are Attracted to Hummingbird Feeders

Bees are naturally attracted to the sweet nectar in hummingbird feeders. The bright colors and sugary solution mimic flowers, drawing bees to the feeder. 

While bees play an essential role in pollination, their presence at hummingbird feeders can deter hummingbirds and create a less enjoyable experience for you.

Strategies to Keep Bees Away

1. **Use Red-Colored Feeders**

Bees are attracted to the color yellow, but they are less drawn to red. Choosing a red-colored feeder can help reduce bee attraction. Ensure the feeding ports are red or have no yellow accents to make the feeder less appealing to bees.

2. **Install Bee Guards**

Bee guards are small screens or plastic covers that fit over the feeding ports. They allow hummingbirds to access the nectar with their long beaks and tongues while preventing bees from reaching the nectar. These guards are an effective way to keep bees out without deterring hummingbirds.

3. **Move the Feeder**

Bees tend to forage in specific areas. Moving your hummingbird feeder to a new location in your garden can sometimes discourage bees from finding it. Try placing the feeder in a shaded spot, as bees prefer sunny locations.

4. **Offer a Decoy Feeder**

Set up a decoy feeder filled with a stronger sugar solution (3 parts water to 1 part sugar) at a distance from your hummingbird feeder. Bees will be more attracted to the higher sugar content, leaving the hummingbird feeder less busy. Once the bees are drawn to the decoy, gradually move it further away.

5. **Adjust the Nectar Recipe**

While the standard nectar recipe is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar, you can slightly dilute the nectar to 5 parts water to 1 part sugar. This makes the nectar less appealing to bees while still being suitable for hummingbirds.

6. **Clean Spills Immediately**

Bees are attracted to any sugary residue around the feeder. Clean any spills or drips immediately to prevent bees from being drawn to the area. Regular maintenance helps keep the feeder clean and less attractive to bees.

7. **Use Saucer Feeders**

Saucer-style feeders can be more effective at deterring bees. These feeders have a reservoir below the feeding ports, making it harder for bees to access the nectar. Hummingbirds can easily reach the nectar with their long beaks, while bees struggle to find it.

8. **Avoid Scented Soaps**

When cleaning your feeder, use unscented soap. Scented soaps can leave a residue that attracts bees. Rinse the feeder thoroughly to ensure no soap remains that could affect the hummingbirds or attract bees.

Benefits of Keeping Bees Away

**Better Access for Hummingbirds**

Hummingbirds can feed without competition from bees, ensuring they get the nutrition they need.

**Safety for Hummingbirds**

Hummingbirds can sometimes get stung by bees, which can be harmful. Keeping bees away creates a safer environment for the birds.

**Enhanced Viewing Experience**

Watching hummingbirds feed without the distraction and annoyance of bees creates a more enjoyable experience for bird watchers.

While bees are important pollinators, their presence at hummingbird feeders can be problematic. 

By using red-colored feeders, installing bee guards, moving the feeder, offering a decoy feeder, adjusting the nectar recipe, cleaning spills, using saucer feeders, and avoiding scented soaps, you can keep bees away from your hummingbird feeders. 

These strategies will help ensure that your hummingbirds have a safe and accessible food source, allowing you to enjoy their presence in your garden.

Do you have any additional tips for keeping bees away from hummingbird feeders? 

Share your suggestions and experiences in the comments below! If you have any questions or need more advice on hummingbird care or gardening, feel free to ask. 

Let’s create a bee-free haven for our beautiful hummingbirds! 🌸🐦