Answer

Hello,

 

There is no perfect way to keep the bee's from the feeder, but there are ways you can discourage the bees.

 

First if your not opposed to buying a new feeder, consider one that is equipped with the guards, or choose a shallow or basin-type feeder in which the syrup level is too low for bees and wasps to reach.

 

Make sure you paint any yellow areas red, bees are attracted to the color yellow and Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. Bee's also tend to be less drawn by red. Once you buy a new feeder or paint the old one move it a few feet away from where it was. Your hummingbirds will still find it, but the bees will be confused. You can also take the feeder inside for 3 days, leaving the bee's to believe the feeder is gone....the birds will return once the feeder comes back out.

 

Another thing you can try is diluting the hummingbird nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts boiled or distilled water) to 1 part sugar to 5 parts boiled or distilled water. This leaves less sugar which will be less attractive to the bee's.

 

Another option is to give the bees their own feeder, to keep them off your hummingbird feeder. You will need two Hummingbird feeders, one for the bees and wasps and one for the Hummingbirds. Bees and wasps are more attracted to higher concentrations of sugar, so in their feeder use a nectar ratio of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water.

 

Walter

Expert:	Walter
Pos. Feedback:	97.1 %
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Answered:	8/26/2009

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