Attracting Bees to Your Hummingbird Feeder: How to Do It Safely

Hummingbirds are a beauty to watch as they flutter around your garden. But what do you do when bees start swarming around your hummingbird feeder? You might want to shoo them away, but don't do that too quickly! Bees can actually help pollinate your garden and keep it healthy.

Why Bees Love Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird feeders are filled with sweet nectar that is irresistible to bees. In fact, bees are naturally drawn to anything sweet, and the sugary liquid in a hummingbird feeder is like honey to them. Moreover, hummingbird feeders are designed with bright colors that attract birds, but also catch the attention of bees.

But how do you balance attracting bees to your garden while keeping your hummingbird feeder safe for hummingbirds?

Keeping Your Hummingbird Feeder Safe from Bees

The last thing you want is for bees to take over your hummingbird feeder, leaving no room for the birds. Here are some tips to keep your feeder safe:

Use Saucer-Style Feeders

The design of saucer-style feeders makes it harder for bees to reach the nectar. These feeders have a flat surface with shallow nectar pools, which means that bees cannot immerse their entire bodies in the liquid. Instead, they must hover above the surface, making it more difficult for them to feed. Additionally, saucer-style feeders often have built-in bee guards that further deter bees from accessing the nectar.

Choose the Right Location

Bees are attracted to bright colors, so it's best to place your hummingbird feeder in a shaded area or near flowers that are already in bloom. This will help minimize the chances of bees being attracted to the feeder.

Keep the Feeder Clean

Fermented nectar can attract bees, so it's important to keep your hummingbird feeder clean. Wash it every few days with hot water and soap, and rinse thoroughly before refilling it with fresh nectar. Also, make sure the feeder doesn't leak, as spilled nectar can also attract bees.

Use Bee Guards

Bee guards are small plastic or metal mesh screens that surround the feeding ports on your hummingbird feeder. They allow hummingbirds to access the nectar while keeping bees out. Make sure to clean these guards regularly to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

What To Do When Bees Swarm the Feeder

If bees still swarm around your hummingbird feeder despite taking the measures mentioned above, there are ways to safely remove them:

Distraction Method

You can distract bees by placing another feeder filled with sugar water somewhere in your garden. Bees will be more interested in this new source of food and will likely leave your hummingbird feeder alone. Just make sure to place the new feeder far enough away from your hummingbird feeder to avoid any territorial fighting between the birds.

Remove the Feeder Temporarily

If the swarm of bees is too large to distract, remove the hummingbird feeder temporarily. This will give the bees time to disperse and find a new source of food. Once the bees have left the area, you can put the feeder back up.

Call a Professional

If the bees are aggressive or you're allergic to bee stings, it's best to call a professional to safely remove the swarm. Never try to remove a hive or swarm yourself, as this can be dangerous.

A bee on a flower, a natural pollinator found in gardens.

Attracting bees to your garden can be beneficial for both the environment and your plants. However, when it comes to your hummingbird feeder, it's important to strike a balance between attracting bees and keeping the feeder safe for hummingbirds. Use saucer-style feeders, choose the right location, keep the feeder clean, and use bee guards to prevent bees from swarming the feeder. And if all else fails, use distraction methods, remove the feeder temporarily, or call a professional to safely remove the swarm. With these tips, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds and bees together in your garden without compromising their safety.

bird feeders, pollination, honeybees, flower gardens, pest control