Garden

[depglass]

I'm starting a new thread because this is a separate problem.  Now that we finally have hummers showing up, all kinds of BEES have also shown up.  We have washed the feeder well, even transferred syrup to another feeder. The birds have discovered that after a couple hours but so have the bees.  So frustrating.  

[Caffeina]

I bought a feeder with smaller holes a few years ago, and no more bees.

[Icegoddess]

Not knowing the style of your feeder, but many feeders have bee guards for the center of the flower.  It looks like a little cage in th center of the flower instead of one hole.  The hummer's tounge can get through, but the bees can't.  

[Flying Dove]

I truly understand the bee problem as I'm dealing with the same thing.  The little hummers do not like the bees.  However, I've noticed when 3 or 4 of the little hummers are very close to the feeder, the bee will leave.  Guess he figures he's outnumbered.

I've also washed the feeder really good, but I noticed the bees know exactly where that little hole is that they can get their sweetness.  That's when I remind myself that they're making honey, then I don't get upset.    Wish I had a solution to give you, but unfortunately I don't.  Hopefully, someone will.  

[fthunt]

@Flying Dove Not all bees are honey bees.  Are those you see Bumble Bees?

black & yellow.

[morganjen]

We've gotten a lot of honey bees at ours, so I dont really mind.

[sabatini]

Hi.

The bees can be a nuisance! It's usually the 'upside-down bottle' feeders that are the problem.

I've had the inside of the bottle literally stuffed with bees!

What's bizarre about those feeders, is that lots of them are sold with bright yellow 'bee guards', & that color attracts bees!  

Switch to the saucer type feeders, and you'll have no problems, as long as the nectar isn't so full that they can reach it.

Wild Birds unlimited sells tiny little bee guards that can be applied under the feeding hole, though they only fit feeders sold by them.

Good luck!

[Jk9]

We have had hummingbird feeders for many years and use feeders with "bee guards" and those made so bees and yellow jackets can't access the food.  We also use "Fatal Funnels" on a big drink bottle to attract and capture the larger flying insects.  Seems here the bees move on quickly once they see they can't get to the nectar.  Now we only buy feeders that are "bee proof".  

[PA Mom-mom]

@depglass  We have yellow jackets just swarming around the feeder. They try to estract nectar from the seams in the plastic reservoir of the feeder. The bee baffles keep them out of the flower holes, but eventually the nectar starts seeping out through the seams. SO, yesterday we switched to a glass saucer style feeder. There are no seams, and the nectar is below the flower openings.

The hummers have not yet decided if they like it, but the yellow jackets are very frustrated! There are larger saucer style feeders, but we only have one or two hummers, so this is fine. We will use less nectar (1/2 cup). 

[LindaSal]

It's been a strange season for us with the Hummingbirds.  We are being inundated with bees this summer and even the squirrels are out of control.   They are so acrobatic, they are literally jumping from the trees onto the feeder which hangs on a shepherds hook.  We have never had the squirrels do this in the past.  The hummers are not happy this year, neighbors are having the same issues!     We ended up taking ours down