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How To Keep Yellow Jackets Away From Hummingbird Feeders: A Complete Guide

Many of these tiny feeder birds may be in one backyard, which gives aesthetic pleasure with their radiant colors and flying speed. But that’s not the only bird that drinks nectar; yellow jackets, a type of wasp, are also fond of sweet fluids. While they may be invasive pests, these infestations ruin your quiet bird-watching experience, scaring birds and possibly posing a threat to the person nearby. 

So, how to keep yellow jackets away from hummingbird feedersBelow are proven ways to control yellow jackets from visiting your feeders without affecting the lives of the creatures or the insects. 

Why Do Yellow Jackets Swarm Hummingbird Feeders?

Before we can discuss how to keep yellow jackets away from hummingbird feeders, it is helpful to understand why they are obsessed with them. The primary reason is nectar. 

They use these jackets and also need sugars to fuel their energy. The sugary liquid in feeders is made to resemble the natural nectar in flowers. When they aren’t eating insects, they are opportunistic and will eat from a source of sugar as long as it’s available, particularly late in summer when the natural food becomes scarce.

1.    Choose A Yellow Jacket-Resistant Feeder

Feeders designed to keep these jackets out are one of the best ways to deter them. Check fence feeders with bee guards or mesh screens. Hummingbirds can reach the nectar through small ports, while yellow jackets and insects cannot. Long tube ports and domed covers on feeders where the nectar is stored can also help because these jackets cannot reach the nectar through these barriers.

2.    Use Nectar With The Right Sugar-To-Water Ratio

The standard sugar-to-water ratio for hummingbird nectar is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water (1:4). These little birds like this ratio, but yellow jackets would rather have a greater sugar concentration. Another myth is that sweeter nectar will attract more birds, but it will simply draw in more jackets. Maintain the ratio you have in place to cut down on wasp visits to your feeder.

3.    Relocate Your Feeder

Another helpful move is to move your feeder. Yellow jackets will scout an area for food, and if your feeder is not in a ‘marked’ area (marked by a few wasps), a simple location change can confuse the wasps. Yellow jackets prefer sunny open spaces, so try putting the feeder in a shady area. Making this simple change could make your feeder less appealing to them.

4.    Create Decoy Feeders For Yellow Jackets

Place it far from your hummingbird feeder and use a 1 3 sugar to water ratio. If you live in an area where yellow jackets are used to eating, the feeder will stay empty since the decoy will draw the birds to it. Placing it in an open, sunny place will make it even more attractive.

5.    Install A Wasp Trap Nearby

Another effective solution is wasp traps. These traps feature bait—usually sugar water or fruit juice, which will attract yellow jackets inside, where they will be trapped and unable to get out. To divert the jackets without concentrating them around the feeder, place a trap about 20 feet from your hummingbird feeder. It’s essential always to check and replace the bait.

6.    Keep The Feeder Clean

You must clean the feeders occasionally to assist the birds and drive the yellow jackets away. It also can bring bees, yellow jackets, and ants near the feeder’s exterior if they spill sticky nectar. You must wash the feeder with a brush and warm water every three days. Avoid using soap since it will harm the hummingbirds when they drink water where the soap has been washed. If you use soap, rinse the feeder often to ensure you’ve washed out all stains.

7.    Use Peppermint Oil As A Natural Deterrent

Peppermint oil is a natural yellow jacket repellent. Its powerful smell repels wasps and similar insects, making it a safe solution. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil in areas surrounding the feeder ports or put balls soaked in the oil near the feeder. Please do not place any oil in a location that can affect the nectar, as it will scare even the hummingbirds.

8.    Avoid Bright Yellow Feeder Parts

These jackets are strongly attracted to bright colors, predominantly yellow. If your feeder has yellow parts or is decorated with yellow, you should replace it with one that has red or other neutral colors. However, you can paint the yellow part with red or orange since the two colors are more attractive to hummer birds and less attractive to the yellow jacket.

9.    Reduce Yellow Jacket Nesting Sites

If you minimize the chance of jackets nesting close to your house, there will be fewer around your feeders to spook your hummingbirds. They usually prefer nesting in the ground, trees’ hollows, and eaves. Since these jackets begin construction, checking your yard and home for any nests, especially in spring, is essential. When you see one, it is advisable to contact your local exterminator because yellow jackets are defensive animals.

10.Timing Matters: Feed Hummingbirds During Cooler Hours

These jackets are most likely to be seen during the day, specifically in the middle of the day. However, hummingbirds can be seen throughout the day. You could feed your pets in the morning or late in the evening when the jackets may not be around at the same time these birds fly. This strategy won’t remove jackets from your area altogether but will surely cut the number of visits it makes to your feeder.

Conclusion

That’s all from how to keep yellow jackets away from hummingbird feedersYellow jackets do not have to spoil your fun of watching these birds. This way, you can control these pests while your feeder attracts more hummingbirds to your yard. Try these solutions to find out which works best in your backyard—do not lose patience! Experiment with these solutions to find the best combination for your backyard, and remember, persistence is vital.

FAQs

●     Do yellow jackets attack hummingbirds at the feeders?

Yellow jackets do not pose a threat to hummers since they will not sting them, but their presence scares the hummingbirds. The wasps also come to control the feeder, locking the birds from accessing it.

●     Can insecticides be sprayed to repel yellow jackets from the feeders?

Since insecticides kill bees and hummingbirds, it is best to avoid the feeders when using them. However, avoid using inhospitable sprays or powders; spray with a natural repellent such as peppermint oil or use a wasp trap.

●     How many days do I need to refill the hummingbird feeder?

If it’s boiling, you should clean your feeder every three to five days at least or daily. It reduces the chances of mold and bacteria formation, which is unhealthy for the little birds, and also erases any drops that attract yellow jackets.

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