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Help bees at my Hummingbird feeders

Help bees at my Hummingbird feeders

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by: Ann2800 Active Indicator LED Icon 12 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 7:00pm  
I have 4 hummingbird feeders. They are covered with bees.
I.don't think their leaking 2 are expensive ones from a friend. How do I run them off?
I have birds coming turning around.😓 4951
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BooBear Active Indicator LED Icon 16
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 7:01pm  
You don't that I know of. Birds and bees are used to each other. They will figure it out. 4951
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Ann2800 Active Indicator LED Icon 12 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 7:07pm  
You don't that I know of. Birds and bees are used to each other. They will figure it out.
 
@BooBear: there are dozensure and dozens
 
4951
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TEXASGIRLMAMMA Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:04pm  
Are they yellow because yellow attracts bees? 4951
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Jpgurl Active Indicator LED Icon 18
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:16pm  
No the bees are attracted to the sugar-the color doesn't matter. Do NOT take the bee guards off- the bees will then get stuck in the tube and end up in the bottle 4951
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FoFa Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:25pm  
your feeders either;too large an opening allowing the larger bees to access the nectarORThe distance between the surface and the nectar is not far enough allowing the shorter tongues of the bees to get at it.If it is the later, don't fill it full enough for the bees to reach it.If it is the first one, I had to replace my feeder with the proper type. 4951
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Ann2800 Active Indicator LED Icon 12 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:39pm  
Are they yellow because yellow attracts bees?
 
@TEXASGIRLMAMMA: they are red.😕
 
4951
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Ann2800 Active Indicator LED Icon 12 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:42pm  
your feeders either;too large an opening allowing the larger bees to access the nectarORThe distance between the surface and the nectar is not far enough allowing the shorter tongues of the bees to get at it.If it is the later, don't fill it full enough for the bees to reach it.If it is the first one, I had to replace my feeder with the proper type.
 
@FoFa: I think the nectar is too close to the surface like you said those birds have long beaks. All four are doing the same 😣
 
4951
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sh56 Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:45pm  
Also try diluting the food by one part.  Bees like it REALLY sweet --- maybe they'll turn their little bee noses up at it.  Of course, you may also see less hummingbird feeding but they'll come back. 4951
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FoFa Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 8:46pm  
I think the nectar is too close to the surface like you said

@Ann2800: So then you can not fill as full (if it is the type that allows that).Or on one of mine, I put a plastic anti-bee cap over the holes that still allowed the hummers to get to it, but not the bees.But not all feeders allow that. 4951
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TEXASGIRLMAMMA Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 9:16pm  
www.thespruce.com/ke eping-bees-away-from -hummingbird-feeders -386570Hummingb are attracted to a good nectar recipe, but so are ants, bees, hornets, wasps and other sweet-loving insects. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to control insects to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders without harming the birds.Hummingbird Feeder PestsSeveral types of insects find hummingbird nectar irresistible. Bees, wasps and ants are the most common uninvited guests, but other insects such as moths, hornets, spiders, praying mantises and earwigs may also be attracted to the nectar.When too many bugs are feeding on the sugar water, it becomes contaminated and less attractive to hummingbirds. In extreme cases, dozens or hundreds of insects may be monopolizing a feeder, preventing the birds from visiting it at all. By knowing the proper ways to control these insects, birders can manage their hummingbird feeders and reserve the nectar for the birds.Ways to Control Insects on Hummingbird FeedersThere are many ways to keep bees away from nectar feeders, but the first thing that birders need to realize is that it is impossible to remove 100 percent of the insects that are attracted to a feeder. By using multiple methods, however, it is possible to encourage most bugs to dine elsewhere without harming the hummingbirds.Effective and safe ways to control insects on hummingbird feeders include:Choose No-Insect Feeders: Some types of hummingbird feeders are less insect-friendly than others. Saucer feeders, for example, position the nectar away from the feeding port and insects are unable to get to it, while hummingbirds with their long tongues have no trouble. Other feeder designs include built-in ant moats or bee guards that are designed to keep insects from accessing the nectar without impeding hummingbirds. If feeders don't have these safeguards built in to the design, extra accessories are available to add those features to any nectar feeder. Relocate the Feeder: Once hummingbirds find a food source, they will visit it frequently, and will look around nearby for even more good food sources. Insects are only likely to visit convenient food sources and are less inclined to search for relocated feeders. Moving the feeder by just a few feet can minimize the insect visitors without discouraging the hummingbirds. This is easy to accomplish in a yard with multiple feeding stations - simply switch around where different feeders are throughout the yard every time the feeders are refilled. Avoid Yellow Feeders: Wasps and bees are attracted to the color yellow but do not find red appealing. Avoid feeders with yellow insect guards or flower accents to minimize the feeders’ attractiveness to insects. If your feeder comes with yellow accents, repaint the accents with red, non-toxic paint. On some feeders, these yellow parts can easily be removed without impacting how well the feeder works. Keep the Feeder Clean: As birds feed, drips of nectar will inevitably fall from their bills onto the feeder. Feeders can also drip if they are filled too full, as the air pressure inside the feeder will force the nectar out the feeding ports when it heats up. Each time the feeder is refilled, carefully clean the outside and around the feeding ports to remove spilled nectar, and take steps to minimize leaks to avoid the mess. Use Insect Traps: Commercial insect traps are available to reduce overall insect populations in the yard. While these can be effective deterrents, use them sparingly so you do not disrupt the insects’ place in your backyard ecosystem. Only choose traps that target the most problematic insects, and remove traps as soon as the feeder is no longer being troubled. Hang Feeders Carefully: Ants may climb a pole to reach a nectar feeder, so choose to hang the feeder from a branch or gutter instead. Using fishing line to hang the feeder is another option, as the line is too thin for most ants to climb to access the feeder. Keep the Feeder Shaded: Most flying insects prefer to feed in full sunlight, so make nectar feeders less attractive by hanging them in a shadier spot. This will also keep the nectar cooler and slow fermentation as well as minimize leaks. Offer Substitute Feeders: If you want to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders but still want them around for your flowers or garden, offer them a substitute feeder with a sweeter sugar water solution. Place the diversion feeder - preferably a yellow one - in an obvious, sunny location, while using additional techniques to protect the hummingbird feeder. Avoid Other Attractions: Bees, wasps and ants are naturally attracted to other features of your yard, including plants and flowers. This is highly desirable for a healthy garden, but avoid uncovered trash, sticky soda cans, piles of manure and other things the insects may find attractive. This will minimize their unintended food sources and keep insect populations under control.How Not to Remove InsectsIt may take several different techniques to completely minimize the appearance of insects at your hummingbird feeders. There are two techniques, however, that should not be used because they are potentially destructive to hummingbirds.Insecticides: Even a small amount of pesticide chemicals near the hummingbird feeder can be devastating to small birds. Do not use any sprays near the feeder, and if you do choose to use insect traps, be sure they are positioned well away from the feeder. Oils: One home remedy for insects on hummingbird feeders is to use olive oil, cooking spray, petroleum jelly or similar substances around feeding ports or on the poles or chains supporting feeders. While this can deter insects, it can also harm the birds by sticking to their feathers and making it more difficult for them to preen and fly.Not All Insects Are BadNot all insects are bad in a hummingbird garden, even if they do occasionally visit nectar feeders. Bees help pollinate flowers that can attract even more birds, and all these insects can be valuable food sources for other backyard birds. Simple, safe techniques can manage insects so they do not bother hummingbird feeders yet remain a valuable part of a backyard ecosystem. 4951
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TXSG Active Indicator LED Icon 1
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 9:31pm  
The hummingbirds are only here for a short time, then they go on their way. The bees will be here all year. Just let them share and when the hummingbirds leave you can continue to feed the bees.Do you know if their hive is nearby? 4951
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podunk Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 10:52pm  
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JasonEdwards Active Indicator LED Icon  New Member
~ 6 years ago   Apr 5, '17 11:25pm  
Birds and bees are used to each other.Emoticon 4951
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Ann2800 Active Indicator LED Icon 12 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Apr 6, '17 12:08am  
The hummingbirds are only here for a short time, then they go on their way. The bees will be here all year. Just let them share and when the hummingbirds leave you can continue to feed the bees.Do you know if their hive is nearby?
 
@TXSG: I don't know but there are many many of them.
 
4951
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Ann2800 Active Indicator LED Icon 12 OP 
~ 6 years ago   Apr 6, '17 12:10am  

- - - - - - - -
>> I think the nectar is too close to the surface like you said
 
@Ann2800: So then you can not fill as full (if it is the type that allows that).Or on one of mine, I put a plastic anti-bee cap over the holes that still allowed the hummers to get to it, but not the bees.But not all feeders allow that.
 
@FoFa: interesting. Will look for that. Take it off after and feed the bees. Thank you!
 
4951
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