Bees and Ants

[stevej37]

How do I keep them from taking over my hummingbird feeder?
The hummingbirds come within 3 feet of the feeder and just hover....only to leave after about 30 seconds. They just won't get any closer to the bees.

[Arizona_928]

Those aren't bees

[pavulon]

Your bees look like hornets. Not sure what to do about that other than following them and taking out their nest.

The farmer ants may just need some more convenient food on the ground. Farmer ants are good for patrolling trees and plants for destructive insects so don't poison them.

[Roswell]

You need an ant trap:



https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/880880-more-birds-hummingbird-feeder-ant-guard-moat.html?blaintm_source=bing&blaintm_medium=pla&msclkid=b71a4c46b5901b2d14c028817d6a8cdc&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=All%20Products&utm_term=4584070165159627&utm_content=All%20Products

As far as the yellow jackets / hornets, best solution is to find the nest and destroy it. You could also set up a trap for them...

[stevej37]

Ok..I realize they're hornets. I'm used to calling anything that flies and stings me....a bee.

They are so intent on the nectar that I can put my hand right in the middle of them without any trouble.

[stevej37]

That might do the job for the ants....I'll pick one up.

Originally Posted by Roswell

You need an ant trap:



https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/880880-more-birds-hummingbird-feeder-ant-guard-moat.html?blaintm_source=bing&blaintm_medium=pla&msclkid=b71a4c46b5901b2d14c028817d6a8cdc&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=All%20Products&utm_term=4584070165159627&utm_content=All%20Products

As far as the yellow jackets / hornets, best solution is to find the nest and destroy it. You could also set up a trap for them...

[Rusty Heap]

This will fix them right up and tell them who's boss.

[wdfifteen]

I don't know what do about the bees/hornets other than find their nest and destroy it.
Are you sure your hummingbird feeder doesn't have an ant trap built in? Will the top of it hold water?

[Tobra]

I put double side tape on the wire, but I like the moat way better. Red solo cup and hot glue gun, here I come

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't know what do about the bees/hornets other than find their nest and destroy it.
Are you sure your hummingbird feeder doesn't have an ant trap built in? Will the top of it hold water?

I just now checked after reading your post...no, it's smooth and flat on the top with no raised edges. I'll either get the barrier one above or look for a diff feeder with it built in.

[MBAtarga]

My wife just used peppermint oil on our feeders to keep the flying bugs (yellow jackets?) away from our feeders - apparently they dislike the odor. It doesn't bother the hummingbirds.

[stevej37]

^^^ I'll try that.... Thanks.

[herr_oberst]

Those aren't bees. Bees are our pals. They make food possible.
When the bees are gone (and they are dying off) then we're gone.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Those aren't bees. Bees are our pals. They make food possible.
When the bees are gone (and they are dying off) then we're gone.

Got it...my bad.
Just a habit of mine to call them all 'bees'

[pwd72s]

Yellow jacket trap:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/RESCUE-Outdoor-Disposable-Hanging-Yellow-Jacket-Trap-1-Pack/17134652?wl13=1775&selectedSellerId=0&http://clickserve.dartsearch.net/link/click?lid=92700060762254883&ds_s_kwgid=58700006715445296&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000003583668&ds_a_cid=654818135&ds_a_caid=13956209185&ds_a_agid=126452889113&ds_a_lid=pla-1392082700544&ds_a_cid=116919406&ds_a_caid=361575031&ds_a_agid=1200667322826314&ds_a_fiid=&ds_a_lid=pla-4578641339573147&&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=search&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=o&ds_e_product_group_id=4578641339573147&ds_e_product_id=17134652_0&ds_e_product_merchant_id=27449&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=EN&ds_e_product_channel=Local&ds_e_product_store_id=1775&ds_url_v=2&ds_dest_url=?&adid=222222222320000000000_1200667322826314_lia&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=75041804331059&wl4=pla-4578641339573147&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Local&wl12=17134652_0&wl14=yellow%20jacket%20trap&veh=sem&msclkid=a8e0b60a720d102c0a00d2cd9e1c39fa&gclid=a8e0b60a720d102c0a00d2cd9e1c39fa&gclsrc=3p.ds

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Got it...my bad.
Just a habit of mine to call them all 'bees'

Im sorry if I'm a scold about bees. I had some for a while, learned a little about them and I'm really worried about the health of the earth's population if we can't figure out a way to reverse this trend where our habits are killing them.

[herr_oberst]

[wswartzwel]

[stevej37]

^^^ Aant Bee!

The only reason I watched that show....there was no other choice.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Those aren't bees. Bees are our pals. They make food possible.
When the bees are gone (and they are dying off) then we're gone.

Eh, by then we'll have mini drones. But I do like bees. I don't like wasps much but if they aren't bothering me, I leave them alone. Haven't seen one this year. I see bees in distress and dying frequently.