How to get rid of bees & flies at the hummingbird feeder? (house, to eat)

[SunInHair]

The bees, wasps, and flies are a real problem at one of our hummingbird feeders which is causing distress to the hummers. Anyone know how to get rid of these pests?

[songinthewind7]

I just deal with it. The bees have to eat too so I just let them do it and it works out.

[_yb]

The aspects line of feeders have nectar gaurd tips that help deal with those issues. The tips create a barrier that flying insects cannot penetrate.

[GregW]

Set up a feeding station and nesting site for flycatcher birds.

[JDTH]

I'm not much help. We don't have those problems.
We have 6 hummer feeders and 2 finch feeders. The finches can make a lot of noise, but it is a good thing!

[Poncho_NM]

Ants. No one had ants? We had about 5 feeders near the house a few years ago. We had problems with ants (misuse of feeder no doubt) and I had several instances of The Humming Birds getting in the house, and they are difficult to get out...

I have plenty of the Hummers around the house without feeders.


Rich

[Cathy4017]

For ants, just put a little Vaseline at the top of the hanger.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

For ants, just put a little Vaseline at the top of the hanger.

Thanks, that never occurred to me.


Rich

[SunInHair]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

.....nd I had several instances of The Humming Birds getting in the house, and they are difficult to get out...

Yes, hummers are more difficult to get out of the house than most birds. They want to stay near the ceiling and don't want to fly out even the largest open window or door. Can't temp with a feeder either. One trapped hummer eventually wore himself out and landed on the floor. My husband carried the little outside, placed him in a flower bed, gave him some sugar water and finally the little guy perked up and flew off.

[Poncho_NM]

I found that if you hold a broom vertically, bristles up, near the ceiling they will eventually land on it and you can slowly walk out with them, after a few tries. This worked for two Hummers....


Rich