Many people will enjoy the sight of hummingbirds flying around their property. In addition to being beautiful birds, they can also help the ecosystem of your yard by pollinating many of the flowers. As a result, it is common for people to want to keep hummingbird feeders around their property. Unfortunately, there are many pests that can create problems for these devices. In particular, wasps can be a major problem as they can actually prevent hummingbirds from being able to use the feeder.
Protect the Nectar
One of the reasons that hummingbird feeders will be a prime target for wasps and bees is due to the sugar-rich nectar that will be dispensed by these feeders. In fact, it can be possible for the wasps and bees to swarm the nectar holes, which could prevent the hummingbirds from being able to use them without getting stung. Placing nectar feeder guards over these openings can help to keep the nectar safe from these pests.
Consider Moving the Hummingbird Feeder
Periodically moving the feeder can help to make it harder for the wasps and bees to establish paths to it. Over time, these insects can leave pheromones and other scent trails that will make it easier for them to return to the feeder in the future. Moving it will disrupt this process so that they will be unable to find the feeder again as easily. When moving the feeder, you should make sure that you are not accidentally placing it near an established beehive or wasp nest.
Invest in Wasp-Proof Hummingbird Feeders
Aggressive wasps can be a serious problem for hummingbird feeders. As a result, some homeowners will find that they simply have to buy wasp-proof hummingbird feeder designed to resist these insects. This can seem excessive, but wasps can be extremely damaging to standard hummingbird feeders. In fact, they may even be able to pierce the exterior or warp the nectar openings enough to allow much of it to leak out.
Treat the Area Around the Feeder
Lastly, it will often be necessary to treat the grounds and plants around the bird feeder for wasps. It is important to avoid treating the bird feeder itself as the scent of these pesticides can drive the hummingbirds away, and it can even be extremely toxic to them. By treating the areas around the feeder, you can drastically reduce the population of wasps around the birdfeeder so that they will be far less likely to create problems for it.
