Select Red Saucer Feeders Hummingbirds can reach saucer feeder nectar with their long tongues, but insects cannot. While hummingbirds like red, bees like yellow. Make hummingbird sugar water with this recipe. Replace sugar water every several days.
Attach Ant Moat The average ant moat is three inches wide and one to two inches deep. Above sugar water feeders for hummingbirds. Water repels ants since they can't swim. Hummingbird feeders with ant moats are available.
Fishing line-hang feeders Because fishing line is too thin for ants to climb, they can't get free food from hummingbird feeders. Learn hummingbird feeder cleaning.
Cover Hummingbird Feeder Holes with Nectar Guard Tips Nectar guard tips keep yellow jackets out, but hummingbirds can drink. Visit these hummingbird-friendly feeders.
Move feeders periodically Moving feeders three or four feet helps insects lose track. Insects rarely discover them, but birds do.
Put fake wasp nests nearby Remove all active wasp nests from your feeder location. To repel actual wasps, hang the fake nests in sheltered areas (away from rain). Wasps are territorial and won't enter a site they think is already occupied.
Plant Bee- and Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers Give bees a tempting alternative. Nectar-rich blooms in containers and gardens attract pollinators. Fuchsia, impatiens, trumpet vine, bee balm, and cardinal flower are beautiful annuals and perennials.