How to keep the bees/wasps away from the hummingbird feeder?

Discussion in 'Bird' started by cherylad, Mar 30, 2015.

  1. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    I saw my first hummingbirds over the weekend and quickly mixed up a batch of food and out put the feeders.
    Then I remembered how many wasps and bees were at the feeders last year.
    I have two Royal Wing feeders and they didn't come with bee guards and they apparently don't sell them specifically for that brand.
    One trick someone told me to help keep wasps away was to spread Vicks Vapor Rub on the bottom of the feeder. Even thou it seems to help, it doesn't keep all the pests away.
    Has anyone found a generic type of bee-guard that will work with most feeders?
     
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  3. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    I would be cautious about petroleum based products on a feeder as the birds could brush their feathers against the material. I like an insect feeder decoy placed away from the bird feeder to give the insects their own source. A sweeter mixture for the insects will keep the birds away. You may have to initially place the decoy close to the bird feeder and then move it away after the insects start using the sweeter open source mixture.
     

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