How Bees and Wasps Affect Hummingbirds

Unlike other birds, hummingbirds do not eat bees or hornets. Instead, they eat nectar from flowers and other sources. If bees or wasps become a problem, hummingbirds will flee. However, they do not always succeed at chasing away the insects.

Bees can become a problem at hummingbird feeders, particularly in the summer. They are attracted to sugary hummingbird nectar. These insects are aggressive in defending their food sources and can sting hummingbirds. If they sting, hummingbirds can die.

If you want to discourage bees from feeding on your hummingbird feeders, you can make homemade nectar and place it in the feeder. You can also try cinnamon or pine essential oil. These substances are slippery and make it difficult for the insects to fly.

You can also make a wasp trap to catch wasps. You can make a trap out of a soda bottle. Punch two holes in the top of the bottle, staple it to the bottle halves, and then put your bait in. You can also use beer, juice, or simple sugar solution.

Wasps are not a good neighbor for your hummingbird feeder. Wasps are aggressive insects and can sting hummingbirds. Bees, on the other hand, are not aggressive. Bees will not sting unless they are threatened.

Yellow jackets are another problem at hummingbird feeders. Yellow jackets are attracted to fruit, carbonated beverages, and various meats. They are aggressive and can sting hummingbirds multiple times.

If you are worried about hummingbirds and wasps feeding on your hummingbird feeder, you can try a bee-specific feeder. These feeders have a higher water to sugar ratio, and they are designed to attract bees away from the feeder. They are also recommended to be placed in the sun.