The same sweet nectar that is found in the feeder for hummingbirds that draws hummers can also attract unwelcome insects, such as wasps and bees. To prevent bees from the feeders for hummingbirds, there are some steps you can follow to only allow hummingbirds at the feeder. This guide will provide you with detailed information about the bees wasps, and other insects to look at feeders and offers effective methods for eliminating their presence.

Why Bees Are Attracted to Hummingbird Feeders

Nectar flowers are the main food source for a variety of species of bees and Hummingbirds. They are pollinators who feast on flowers that are full of nectar and move through the flower beds from time to time. Installing a feeder for hummingbirds in your backyard will attract wasps and bees to the sugary mix.

The hummingbird feeder isn’t used as the primary food source for hummingbirds. “The sugary syrup provided to hummingbirds in the feeders is meant to supplement the hummingbird’s normal diet of nectar from flowers,” says the entomologist Dr. Tracy Ellis.

“Sugar is a quick source of energy, so many animals have adapted to take advantage of flower nectars, which the flowers provide specifically to attract pollinators,” says Charles van Rees, a conservation scientist. “Most adult bees and wasps feed primarily on nectar, even if they gather other protein-rich foods like pollen or feed on other invertebrates to raise their young.”

When Attracting Bees and Wasps Is a Problem

There’s no need to be concerned if there are just a handful of bees and wasps fluttering around the feeder. “Generally, wasps and bees will mind their own business and are just interested in getting a sugary snack,” says van Rees. But, if a lot of bees fly around, safety can be a concern as there is a risk of being at risk of being stung. “Having more of them around does increase the chances of an unwanted encounter,” He explains.

Being aware of the differences between bees and wasps makes a difference as well. “Yellow jacket wasps usually have shiny yellow hairless bodies while honey bees are hairier and have pollen clustered on their rear legs,” Dr. Ellis says. Dr. Ellis. “Yellow jacket wasps don’t lose their stinger as honey bees, and they can cause a stinging attack several times if they are caught, for example, inside a piece of clothing or near the elbow bend or knee. “Honey bees lose their stinger, which is often left in the skin; removing it quickly can decrease the amount of venom,” she says.

Safety Considerations

Being around wasps and bees the hummingbird feeder indicates that there’s a chance that you may be in the process of being stung. “People tend to swat at flying insects, and consequently come in contact, and often get stung,” Dr. Ellis. This can be a problem for those who do not know that they have an allergy to wasps or bees. “People may not know they have a hyper-allergy to the venom of stinging insects,” she declares. “These people, who experience symptoms other than a localized area of discomfort at the sting site, such as difficulty breathing, should seek immediate medical attention.”

Are you concerned about wasps and bees that are causing harm to Hummingbirds? “Hummingbirds are much more likely to attack and drive off bees and wasps in my experience,” says van Rees. But, he suggests taking note of any insect which could be harmful to hummingbirds. “You should keep an eye out for the invasive Chinese mantis ( Tenodera sinensis)because they have been observed attacking and capturing hummingbirds at feeders.”