Yellow-Jackets and Hummingbird feeders (1 Viewer)

[diddyriddick]

We have put out a feeder for the first time this year. We've really enjoyed it, but have a problem. The Yellow-jackets, bees, and such have taken it over. They've even somehow gotten inside it and died. Initially, the Hummers would run off the insects being the aggressive little buggers that they are, but lately they've stopped coming around.

Any way to get rid of the bugs?

 

[KC Foggin]

You might consider lowering the sugar content for awhile. Instead of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar I increased the water to 5 cups to 1 cup sugar. The hummers are still drinking from the feeders and the wasps and bees have moved on to the flowers.

 

[PeakXV]

We have two Yellow-Jacket nests within 100 yards of the house & only get the occasional visit from these wasps to the Hummingbird feeder. The workers are not usually that aggressive away from the nest. Could there be another more significant food source in the vicinity that is attracting so many of these insects to this feeder? Or perhaps a ground nest in the immediate, direct vicinity?

 

[PumaMan]

When I used the "inverted bottle" type of feeders the bees and wasps would hang around all the time. sometimes in such numbers that it kept the hummingbirds away. But since I changed to the Hummzinger feeders I have not had any bee or wasp problems because the nectar is not accessible to them. The only other flying creatures that can get to the nectar are the Gila woodpeckers (daily) and the migrating Mexican bats (nightly come September).

 

[PaWalleye]

Try using a feeder that keeps Yellowjackets out? Like a Hummzinger. It works great.

 

[diddyriddick]

We have two Yellow-Jacket nests within 100 yards of the house & only get the occasional visit from these wasps to the Hummingbird feeder. The workers are not usually that aggressive away from the nest. Could there be another more significant food source in the vicinity that is attracting so many of these insects to this feeder? Or perhaps a ground nest in the immediate, direct vicinity?

This is the south. The only thing that is more abundant than bees and such is rednecks. Rednecks don't make me nervous.

I'll take a look at the hummzinger.

 

[PumaMan]

You might consider lowering the sugar content for awhile. Instead of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar I increased the water to 5 cups to 1 cup sugar. The hummers are still drinking from the feeders and the wasps and bees have moved on to the flowers.

This suggestion is a much cheaper alternative to buying new feeders.

 

[PeakXV]

This is the south. The only thing that is more abundant than bees and such is rednecks. Rednecks don't make me nervous.

At the end of the day, it's all about supply & demand. If the fruits, flower nectar, and tree sap is scarce .... then a white crystalline disaccharide refreshment et al may have to suffice.

 

[PumaMan]

This is the south. The only thing that is more abundant than bees and such is rednecks. Rednecks don't make me nervous.

I'd rather have killer bees infesting my property than rednecks -- any day.