GHENT, WV (WVNS) — With the beautiful weather now here, hummingbirds are more prevalent than ever. Some people even have hummingbird feeders in their front yard.
But with any hummingbird feeders there is a chance of insects that are attracted to the sweet sugary nectar as well. This article will teach you how to keep bee varieties out of your hummingbird feeder.
Choose the Right Feeder
With so many different types of feeders on the market, it is hard to figure out the right one for you.
According to homemaking.com, if you want to keep wasps away, choose the circular feeders with small, deep holes on the top of the base. These are perfect for hummingbirds, but wasps will not be able to reach into them so they will most likely fly away.
Color War
Yellow can greatly attract wasps, while red is more attractive to hummingbirds and not so much to wasps and vermin. It is also recommended to not include yellow decorative pieces or yellow flowers as well.
Clean Feeder, Clean Eater
You should always clean your hummingbird feeder on a regular basis. If you clean your feeder regularly, its keeps wasps away, while still making sure that your hummingbird visitors are eating safe, clean nectar.
To clean the feeder, it is recommended to scrub it thoroughly using either vinegar or a mild dish soap and water, then rinse well and let it air dry.
Hang in a Shaded Spot
It is a fact that many insects, including wasps, like to feed while being in sun. Try to hang your hummingbird feeder in a shaded area where less vermin are not able to find it or have access to it.
What to Avoid
Although we try hard to keep insects away from our hummingbird feeders, it is vital to avoid anything that may put the hummingbirds in danger. A popular myth that says to put Vasoline, petroleum jelly, or oil on the pole or outside of the feeder, but this is not a safe alternative and you should never do this. This could cause birds not to fly and can even kill them. Also, you should never put insecticide on your hummingbird feeder as this can be deadly to birds as well.
