How Do Wasps Deter Hummingbirds?
WouterHaving a hummingbird feeder can be frustrating. Hundreds of insects can swarm into your yard and monopolize your hummingbird feeder. But, there are several ways to keep these pests at bay.
One way is to keep the feeder a foot away from any flowering plants. This will attract bees and wasps and keep them from getting to the feeder.
Another option is to use a wasp trap. This is a small plate or shallow bowl that has holes drilled in it. Fill the bowl with sugar and water, and then place it near a hummingbird feeder. The wasps will be attracted to the sugar and will be drawn to the plate.
A wasp can sting several times. If they sting a hummingbird, the venom will overwhelm the small body system of the hummingbird.
Another way to deter wasps is to put cinnamon around the feeder. You can also place cucumber peels near the feeder. If you can’t get away with a hummingbird feeder, you can try a hummingbird trap.
There are also bee guards that can be installed on hummingbird feeders. These are used to prevent insects from accessing the nectar. These guards are typically made of red or yellow materials. You can also place peppermint essential oil around the feeder to deter insects.
You can also use insecticides to keep wasps away. However, these can poison hummingbirds and other insects.
You can also try painting your hummingbird feeder with nontoxic paint. Some people have found that yellow accents can attract wasps. Alternatively, you can paint your feeder red.
