How to Keep Hummingbirds Away From Wasps
WouterKeeping your hummingbird feeder wasp-free can be tricky. While hummingbirds and wasps are often seen together, their food sources are not the same. They both rely on nectar for fuel, but hummingbirds often feed on insects. Wasps eat meat from other insects. They can sting, and their venom can overwhelm a hummingbird’s small system.
There are many ways to keep hummingbirds away from wasps. One method is to move your feeders periodically, or to change the nectar. You can also discourage wasps from coming to your feeder by using a decoy feeder.
Another way to discourage wasps is by spraying essential oils. Peppermint and pennyroyal are two oils that have been shown to deter wasps. You can also place a peppermint plant near your feeder. If you use peppermint essential oil, be sure to dilute it with pennyroyal essential oil. This will ensure that you don’t harm the hummingbird’s feathers.
You can also use cinnamon. If you put cinnamon near your hummingbird feeder, bees will be discouraged from coming near your feeder. Castor oil can be used to discourage insects. However, you should not put castor oil near the drinking hole, as it can contaminate the nectar.
You can also move your hummingbird feeder to a different area. Wasps have a difficult time finding food in new places, so they’ll stick to areas that they know.
Another method is to use a wasp trap. This can be done by placing a shallow plate or shallow bowl near your feeder. You should move the plate or bowl a foot away every day. If you use a wasp trap, you don’t have to worry about wasps coming to your feeder.
