Does anyone have problems with hornets swarming there humming bird feeders,if so how do you get rid of them.We have had the feeder up for two weeks and all the sudden the show up.hornets won't let hummingbirds near the feeder.
It's a problem. Bees do it too. I've seen hummers and bees fighting over the feeder. You can relocate the feeder...may need to keep moving it around. Sometimes moving the feeder into the shade helps because insects want to feed in sun. I spray them gently with water when I see them (not to kill just to make them move). After a few days of spraying they sometimes leave. They drink a lot of the nectar too. Some feeders are more difficult for insects, like the HummZinger flat ones. Bee guards are not recommended because they can damage the hummers beaks. Those are a few things I've tried over the years.
Thanks Cynthia for the help I Wil try those for sure.Emily they might be bee's but they look small to me,they won't let the hummers feed keep chasing them away.We have so many more here than we did in Washington.
I also switched to the flat HummZinger flat feeders which do keep out the bees and finches. The only pests are the big flicker woodpeckers which have long tongues and can get access to the sweet water.
You do waste some nectar with the HumZingers. You need to change it before its empty because when it gets low some can't reach it as easily. They drink from top down instead of the bottom with HumZinger. Bonus is much easier to clean which is so important.
Yes, it is so much easier to clean and there's no dripping from the spouts like in the bottle type feeders. I also keep the water filled in the inside well which deters ants and some small birds like to sip when they can't access the sugar water. The hummingbirds have been busy this morning because of the added fuel needed in these cold temps.
I I did purchase a flat feeder and will see how it does,I am also moving them around and don't seem to be getting as many bee's,maybe the cold morning keeps them away.We enjoy them so up close,not so many in Washington area as here,I can hold the feeder and they will eat out of it,is neat to watch so close
The other day I was doing something in the front of the garage with the door open and looked up to see a hummer hovering a foot from my face. We looked at each other a second then it did an about face and was gone. Cool.
Yes, the hummers are fearless and inquisitive. I've seen them go after cats and even a hawk sitting on the telephone pole. It's amazing what you can find in these urban yards. Twice over the years we have had DUCKS in our back yard and we're nowhere near water.
Please remember to clean feeders frequently and scrub with a brush, don't just rinse, because the mold can form quickly. It's a hummer killer. http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/feedersclean.php BTW, I used a toothbrush to clean. It works well unless you have one with a hard to reach parts, then you might need a special brush.
I think the stores sell safe red colored mixes which are used mostly to initially attract the hummingbirds to the feeders. Once the birds know where the feeders are located there's no need for the coloring.
All that's needed is a small amount of red on the feeder itself. Red liquid is never needed. I've moved feeders many times and they have no trouble finding the feeder. They are very accustomed to what feeders look like. I don't trust manufacturers when they say it's safe. Why risk it?
