7 Ways to Protect Your Hummingbird Feeders From Unwanted Bees

It’s that time of year to hang up your bird feeders! Hummingbirds have started migrating to North America for the season, and you’ll want to watch these delightful birds zoom about your garden. But pollinator insects enjoy the same food as these tiny birds, so you may be attracting some unwanted visitors, like bees.

But don’t be deterred! It’s possible to have a bird feeder that doesn’t bring all the bees to the yard, as long as you’re proactive and follow these expert-recommended tips.

Deep Clean Your Yard 

Giving everything in your yard a good scrub is key to keeping bees away, says Trenton Frazer, lead entomologist at Aptive Environmental. “Start by wiping down surfaces like patio tables and grills after meals to eliminate sugary residues that attract bees,” he says. Be sure to rinse out cans, bottles, and containers before tossing them into your recycling or trash bins, which should be tightly sealed and regularly cleaned, too.

Be Mindful of Location

Frazer recommends placing bird feeders in shaded areas because bees are drawn to sunny, warm spots. “Additionally, avoid placing feeders near flowering plants or garden beds, which naturally attract pollinators,” he says. He also recommends keeping feeders away from high-traffic areas like patios or decks to minimize bee activity.

Select Your Bird Feeders Carefully 

The color of your bird feeder matters more than you might realize, says Mateo Kaiser, certified master beekeeper and founder of Swarmed, the largest community of beekeepers in North America working to capture and protect honey bee swarms. “Bees are especially drawn to yellow, so any feeder with yellow flowers or accents is going to be a magnet,” Kaiser says. “Red, on the other hand, is great. Bees do not see the color well, but hummingbirds love it.”

Additionally, Frazer recommends looking for models with small feeding ports or tube-style feeders that make it more difficult for bees to reach the nectar. 

Rely on Bee Guards

Check if your feeder has a built-in bee guard, a small mesh or plastic barrier that keeps bees from reaching the nectar, advises Kaiser. “These guards work because a bee’s tongue is way shorter than a hummingbird’s beak,” he says. “As long as the nectar sits deep enough inside the feeding port, about a quarter inch or more, bees simply can’t reach it.” Although it’s best to opt for a feeder with a built-in guard, you can buy attachments that fit securely over the feeding port.

Find the Sweet Spot for Your Food Mixture

“One of the simplest ways to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders is to get the sugar-to-water ratio right,” Kaiser says. He recommends a one-to-four mix of sugar to water, which is less appealing to bees but will attract hummingbirds. “Bees tend to like thicker, sweeter solutions,” Kaiser says. 

Clean Your Feeder Often

It’s crucial to clean your hummingbird feeder, says Kaiser. “Even a few sticky drips of nectar on the outside of the feeder can draw bees from a surprising distance,” says Kaiser. Give your feeder a good wipe down or rinse every couple of days or whenever you can see spills. He recommends using hot water or a mix of vinegar and water to clean your feeder, as soap can leave residue that is harmful to birds. During your cleaning, do a quick inspection for leaks, Frazer advises. “Even a tiny drip can invite bees,” he says.

Add Some Bee-Friendly Plants to Your Garden

“The goal is not to harm bees while attracting hummingbirds,” says Kaiser. He advises people to include more food sources for pollinators by adding bee-friendly plants to their yards. “More local forage also means that bees will be less likely to turn to the sugar in a bird feeder as a substitute,” Kaiser says. It’s best to select a variety of plants native to your area, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, because they provide nectar and pollen, but are generally pest-free.