Upon opening them to refill, I discovered a dozen yellow jackets. The hummingbirds seem annoyed by them.
Has anyone discovered a way to keep the little so in sos out?
You might need a different model, one that doesn’t have any access for the wasps (they can’t get through those little holes in the middle of the flower, which should be the only access to the liquid when the feeder is assembled).
The wasps must represent a danger to the hummingbirds, since I notice the birds giving them a wide berth (or else having one “pull” the wasp while the others drink).
On mine, at least, the wasps were after the liquid dried on the outside of the feeder that was spilled there when I refilled them. Once I started being careful not to spill any liquid (or, where that’s impossible, wiping it off), the wasps stopped coming and the hummingbirds returned.
These are very inexpensive feeders. Perhaps the holes are too big, providing not only entrance but spillage.
Thanks!
I have multiple hummingbird feeders. I use the kinds that have a bowl rather than the ones that drip down.
After you fill it up, give the outside a good rinse with water. Careful not to spill any when you hang it back up.
I have this same problem. I asked a lady at a local nature store and she said to rub petroleum jelly around each of the holes as yellow jackets don’t like it, but it doesn’t scare hummingbirds away. So far, it has worked for me. I hope it works for you too!
I use this type. The bee guards aren’t perfect but do a decent enough job.
This is the kind that I have, very similar to FloatyGimpy’s, and they work very well at keeping out wasps and such.
How often to you have to refill these that do not have a bottle?
If you are using boiled sugar water, about once a week, but not necessarily because the feeder is empty. If the inside of the feeder or the liquid starts to look scummy, I’ll change for fresh then. I don’t want to make the birds sick.
I only fill mine about half way and change it every 2 or 3 days depending on the heat. It’s been in the 90’s here the last while so I’m changing them every other day. The mold tends to grow quite quickly in the heat.