We have a couple of hummingbirds who visit our feeder ... we learned how to keep ants from the nectar but now yellow jacket bees seem to have spread the word that free food is available and it appears they intend to have it for themselves.
They chase the mighty hummers away. Anyone have a method for keeping the bees away? We plant things to attract the bumble bees and honey bees but the yellow bees don't seem to do much but bother people. We want to keep this land friendly to the birds, bees and butterflys :dancingrose: but just don't want the yellow bees chasing off the hummers.
A public response might help others who have the same situation.
:hugs: to all who take the time to respond
PS, this is a request for information, not services. didn't know where else to post this.
jay
08-04-2009, 06:26 AM
Good morning.
The hardware store should have a stock of those small yellow plugs that go into the access hole of the hummingbird feeder. It has holes in it so the hummingbird can enjoy its meal, yet keep out the yellow jacket.
I believe they fit any hummingbird feeder, but it might be wise to take yours in with you to make sure. You may have to purchase a whole new feeder with that yellow attachment. Not sure on that.
Well, that's my advice.
Here's to happy hummingbirds!!!! - juliana
:bugsbunny:Howdy again Community :treehugger:
We have a couple of hummingbirds who visit our feeder ... we learned how to keep ants from the nectar but now yellow jacket bees seem to have spread the word that free food is available and it appears they intend to have it for themselves.
They chase the mighty hummers away. Anyone have a method for keeping the bees away? We plant things to attract the bumble bees and honey bees but the yellow bees don't seem to do much but bother people. We want to keep this land friendly to the birds, bees and butterflys :dancingrose: but just don't want the yellow bees chasing off the hummers.
A public response might help others who have the same situation.
:hugs: to all who take the time to respond
PS, this is a request for information, not services. didn't know where else to post this.
Sara S
08-04-2009, 06:27 AM
Well, if you don't mind killing the yellow jackets, the old farmers' way to do it is to suspend a piece of meat (rotten is fine) on a string over a bucket with some detergent & water in the bottom. The yellow jackets will cut off a piece too big for them to fly off with, and will fall into the water and drown.
:bugsbunny:Howdy again Community :treehugger:
We have a couple of hummingbirds who visit our feeder ... we learned how to keep ants from the nectar but now yellow jacket bees seem to have spread the word that free food is available and it appears they intend to have it for themselves.
They chase the mighty hummers away. Anyone have a method for keeping the bees away? We plant things to attract the bumble bees and honey bees but the yellow bees don't seem to do much but bother people. We want to keep this land friendly to the birds, bees and butterflys :dancingrose: but just don't want the yellow bees chasing off the hummers.
A public response might help others who have the same situation.
:hugs: to all who take the time to respond
PS, this is a request for information, not services. didn't know where else to post this.
jay
08-04-2009, 07:24 AM
Not sure what you mean by "killing the yellow jackets." The little yellow inserts I spoke about don't kill the yellow jackets. It prevents them from getting any hummingbird liquid and they fly away and eventually never come back.
Maybe you weren't referring to my previous reply?
- j
Well, if you don't mind killing the yellow jackets, the old farmers' way to do it is to suspend a piece of meat (rotten is fine) on a string over a bucket with some detergent & water in the bottom. The yellow jackets will cut off a piece too big for them to fly off with, and will fall into the water and drown.
Sara S
08-04-2009, 09:36 AM
No, I was replying to the original post by A Shulamite Woman; because you also posted a reply, you get emails of all other replies on the thread (at least I think that's how it works...).
Sara
Not sure what you mean by "killing the yellow jackets." The little yellow inserts I spoke about don't kill the yellow jackets. It prevents them from getting any hummingbird liquid and they fly away and eventually never come back.
Maybe you weren't referring to my previous reply?
- j
aShulamiteWoman
08-04-2009, 11:32 AM
Thanks for those responses ... the yellow plug thingy ... my feeder has one. The yellow jacket just snuggles right up close to it and enjoys. I would not mind if it was a honey bee or bumble bee. At any rate, the hummers seem afraid of the yellow jackets. Other than the meat gammet mentioned or me getting a fly swatter to kill off each one, I don't know any other method to keep them away. However, the hummers seemed happy today. Maybe the lesson is to let nature work things out. :Yinyangv: :heart:
onthewing
08-05-2009, 11:41 AM
If you have a supply of spearmint nearby, place bowls of water with crushed spearment leaves close to the hummingbird feeder and that will discourage the yellow jackets. I don't know if other mints work, but you could try peppermint, etc.There are also yellow jacket traps but you have to maintain them. Yellowjackets are beneficial insects as they destroy harmful insects and pollinate crops, but some people are highly allergic to yellow jackets and can die from a sting.
Thanks for those responses ... the yellow plug thingy ... my feeder has one. The yellow jacket just snuggles right up close to it and enjoys. I would not mind if it was a honey bee or bumble bee. At any rate, the hummers seem afraid of the yellow jackets. Other than the meat gammet mentioned or me getting a fly swatter to kill off each one, I don't know any other method to keep them away. However, the hummers seemed happy today. Maybe the lesson is to let nature work things out. :Yinyangv: :heart: