Keep One Color Away From Your Hummingbird Feeder & Say Goodbye To Bees And Wasps

How to Keep Bees and Wasps Away from Your Hummingbird Feeder

If you’ve ever tried attracting hummingbirds to your yard, you know it can take a bit of effort. You might hang the feeder at just the right height or place it near colorful flowers. But even after all that work, there’s a chance some unwanted guests might show up—like bees and wasps.

While bees and wasps are important pollinators in their own right, they can become a big problem at hummingbird feeders. They’re drawn to the sugary nectar just like hummingbirds are. Unfortunately, their aggressive behavior can scare the birds away. Even worse, wasps can sting if they feel threatened.

But don’t worry—there’s a simple trick that could make a big difference: avoid using yellow on your hummingbird feeder.

Why Color Matters for Insects

Bees and wasps are attracted to bright colors, especially yellow. Many feeders include yellow flower-shaped parts to mimic real flowers, but these can actually attract more bugs than birds. Unlike hummingbirds, who love red, bees and wasps are more likely to notice yellow.

The best way to keep bees and wasps away is to use a feeder that’s completely red—or repaint any yellow parts with non-toxic red paint. This helps make your feeder more inviting to hummingbirds while being less tempting to insects.

More Ways to Keep Insects Off Your Feeder

If color alone doesn’t fix the problem, here are a few more things you can try:

• Use nectar guards: These are small attachments that cover the feeder holes. Hummingbirds can still reach the nectar with their long beaks, but bees and wasps can’t.
• Hang a fake wasp nest: Wasps are territorial. A realistic-looking decoy can trick them into thinking the area is already claimed, so they stay away.
• Take the feeder down temporarily: If bees have taken over, remove the feeder for a day or two. They may move on and find a new food source.
• Don’t use insect sprays or sticky substances: It might be tempting to apply bug repellent or Vaseline near the feeder, but this can be dangerous for hummingbirds. Stick to safe, non-toxic solutions.
• Plant a bee-friendly garden elsewhere: You can “distract” bees with flowers they love, like sunflowers, zinnias, and salvia. This can help keep them busy and away from the hummingbird feeder.

Final Thoughts

Attracting hummingbirds is a wonderful way to bring nature closer to your home. By making a few small changes—like avoiding yellow and using nectar guards—you can create a space that hummingbirds love and bugs leave alone.

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