Are you trying to find the perfect bee guards to protect your hummingbird feeders from an invasion of bees? Do you need tips on how to properly use bee guards on your feeders? In this blog post I’ll share with you my knowledge on hummingbird feeders with bee guards. You will learn about the different types of bee guards available, tips on where to buy them, how to use them effectively on your feeders, and some helpful tips for keeping your bee guards in the best condition. I hope this information will be useful to you as you work to keep bees away from your feeders and provide a safe environment for your hummingbirds to enjoy.
Different Types of Bee Guards for Hummingbird Feeders
If you’re looking for something to keep away bees from your hummingbird feeders and protect them from accessing the nectar, there are several options. Bee guards for hummingbird feeders can come in the form of a plastic ring, mesh guard, or brush guard.
Plastic Bee Guards
Thin, plastic rings come in different sizes and colors to easily fit over hummingbird feeders and keep bees out. These rings are easy to install and remove, making them effective against bees and great if you regularly switch up your hummingbird feeders.
Mesh Guards
These are typically made of stainless steel or plastic and can be found in varying sizes. Mesh guards make it almost impossible for bees to penetrate the opening, while still allowing hummingbirds access to the nectar inside the feeder.
Brush Guards
Plastic or metal bristles to fit over the openings of hummingbird feeders, brush guards make it difficult for bees to gain access to the nectar within. Another advantage of using brush guards are that they are easy to install and come in a variety of sizes.
The Benefits of Using Bee Guards
Painting the top of your feeder with colors like red or yellow that make it more visible to hummingbirds, can be helpful in keeping bees away from the feeders. Hummingbird enthusiasts also report great success when using bee guards on their feeders. While some find metal mesh is particularly efficient, everybody’s experience is going to be a bit different.
One bird watcher, John, says he was able to keep away the bees from his multiple hummingbird feeders using mesh bee guards. He states he has been using the mesh guards for the past two seasons and the bees have still yet to discover a way to get inside his feeders.
Mary, on the other hand, claims her hummingbird feeders essentially became bee-free zones the second she placed plastic bee guards on them. She tried different strategies previously, but nothing worked as well as the bee guard.
It’s also important to note that bee guards are not just great for protecting against bee invasions, but also stop other animals from trying to drink the nectar. For example, cats, mice and squirrels may try to access the feeders. With the bee guard equipped, you can leave the feeders out even when the wildlife is around.
Despite the different strategies used by John and Mary, it’s safe to say that bee guards work in protecting hummingbird feeders from bee invasions. Whether it’s through plastic, mesh, or brush bee guards, they are great solutions to keep the bees away while simultaneously letting the hummingbirds enjoy their sweet nectar!
Where to Find Bee Guards for Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird feeders that come with bee guards are a great way to attract these tiny birds to your yard. Here are some of the best sources to get bee guards for your hummingbird feeders:
Traditional Store Outlets
There are a variety of stores that carry hummingbird feeders with bee guards, including home goods stores and pet supply stores. Garden centers and nurseries may also carry feeders with bee guards already attached.
Online Shopping
If you don’t have good luck finding bee guards in your local stores, online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy make it easy to find hummingbird feeders with bee guards. A quick online search will tell you which ones have them in stock.
Home-Made Options
For those who are a little crafty, it’s possible to make your own bee guards for hummingbird feeders. You can find tutorials online or get creative and make your own unique design. Bee guards are typically made out of wire mesh, but other materials like metal screening can be used as well.
Specialty Vendors
For specialty bird shops or retailers of hummingbird supplies, you can often find bee guards in more ornate styles or even in bulk. These stores will also have a good selection of hummingbird feeders.
Bagged Bee Guards
If you have trouble finding bee guards for hummingbird feeders in stores, try looking for bagged bee guards. They usually come with a variety of sizes and can be attached to hummingbird feeders quickly and easily.
Local Bird Rescue Shops
Local bird rescue shops are great places to find hummingbird feeders with bee guards. The longer, enclosed style of tube feeders for hummingbirds usually come with bee guards attached. The people in these shops can also answer any specific questions you may have.
The Risks of Not Having Bee Guards
Without bee guards on your hummingbird feeders, other pests such as wasps, hornets, and bees can get into the feeder, scaring away the hummingbirds and being a nuisance. Bee guards are a must if you want to attract hummingbirds to your feeders and keep the pests away.
How to Use Bee Guards on Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbirds are some of the most interesting and delicate birds that you can have visiting your backyard, and providing them with safe and easy-to-access feeders can help keep them around. With droves of hummingbirds come an inevitable swarm of bees however, often depleting available feeders quickly and leaving the hummers hungry. To ensure your feathered friends get enough to eat, you should consider investing in and using bee guards on your feeders.
What is a Bee Guard?
A bee guard is a specially designed piece of plastic or metal that either covers or fits around the feeding base of a hummingbird feeder. The guard includes small port holes or tubes that enable the small hummingbirds to feed while preventing larger creatures, in particular bees, from entering. Because they do not require modifications to the existing feeder, they are a great and cost-effective option for keeping bees away.
Best Practices for Using Bee Guards
When using a bee guard, the most important thing is to make sure it is properly placed and at the correct distance from the feeder itself. The guard should always be placed higher than the feeder to ensure access for the birds and prevent bees from bee-lining through the small holes. It should also be kept at a distance of around two to three inches from the feeder to ensure a good fit, preventing bees from squeezing through any large gaps.
The bees, like the hummers, are attracted to fresh food so it can be helpful to regularly change out your feeder and replace with a fresh one. Not only will this attract more hummingbirds, but it will also ensure the bees do not linger as they no longer have access to a food source. Additionally, you can drill some small holes into the guard itself to give the hummers direct access to the feeder and cut down on the amount of time it takes them to access their food.
How to Attract More Hummingbirds and Keep Bees Away
A change in the location of your feeder can make all the difference when it comes to attracting hummingbirds and keeping bees away. Moving your feeder to a more open area, away from trees and bushes, and ensuring it is in direct sunlight can be a great way to invite more birds and scare away bees. Additionally, setting up and using a water mister module can provide the birds with both a place to clean and bathe as well as another space for feeding, which will often result in fewer birds at the feeder, thus deterring bees.
Adding Bee Guards to Existing Feeders
If you already have a hummingbird feeder, adding a bee guard can be quite an easy task. Since these feeders will usually include hanger stems or smaller wraps, the bee guard can easily wrap around the stem. The stem can then be open and the guard placed in an elevated and slightly shifted position to ensure direct access for the birds. You may also need to drill some small holes or cut a slit or two into the guard, but the best way to do so generally depends on the size and shape of the guard.
Adding bee guards to your feeders can help ensure that your visiting hummingbirds have easy access and do not have to compete with bees for food. Bee guards are also a cost-effective measure and require no modifications to your existing feeders. With a bit of careful placement, drilling, and changing out feeders every so often, you can get the most out of your hummingbird feeding station and ensure safe snacks for the birds.
Tips on Keeping a Bee Guard Clean
Hummingbird feeders with bee guards come in handy in keeping bees away from the sweet nectar. However, the bee guard can become laden with sugary residue or standing water which can encourage insect activity such as mosquitoes or ants. Therefore, it’s important to keep the guard clean and free from sticky residues. Here are some tips to help keep your hummingbird feeder with bee guard free from unwanted pests:
Clean Regularly
Removing sugary residue and standing water daily is a great way to prevent insect activity around your hummingbird feeder. Wipe off any debris and other waste and dry the surface with a cloth. This will also prevent your bee guard from developing a sticky coating.
Wash With Soapy Water
To keep your bee guard clean, wash it in warm, soapy water. This will help to remove stubborn sticky spots and inhibit any build up of grime or mold. For best results, rinse off with clean water afterwards.
Use a Brush
Using a soft brush is a great way to get into all the hard-to-reach areas. Scrub the small crevices and corners to remove any sugar or debris. This is especially important to keep the guard free of insect activity.
Dry Immediately
After cleaning, make sure to dry off the bee guard immediately with a cloth. This will prevent the buildup of any new grime or mold.
Apply Pesticide
Applying a non-toxic pesticide occasionally can help to prevent mold and bacteria from building up on the guard. Be sure to spray the guard evenly and from a good distance.
Check for Wear & Tear
Inspect the bee guard regularly for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If the guard looks damaged, replace it with a new one. This will ensure that the bacteria and mold doesn’t spread and your hummingbirds stay safe.
Share your Experiences
Letting people know about your experience can be a great help. Share your advice and tips with your neighbors and online communities to help others learn and grow. Hummingbirds appreciate the effort, and there’s no better way to do it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a bee guard on a hummingbird feeder is essential to providing a safe and healthy environment for both the hummingbirds and bees. It will also help ensure the hummingbirds get the food they need and minimize the disruption from bees to their feeding activity. The two types of bee guards that are available for hummingbird feeders include the circular veranda and the cup style. With designed-made bee guards, you can conveniently find them online or at an outdoor store. Additionally, it is important to clean your bee guard routinely to prevent the buildup of mold or bacteria and to check for any deterioration or damage. All in all, bee guards play an essential role in keeping hummingbird feeders hygienic and hummingbirds safe and protected.
I am an inspired, life-long homesteader with a heart for simple, sustainable living. Growing up surrounded by farmland in the rural Midwest, I developed a deep respect for nature and the rewards of cultivating your own land. That’s why I’m passionate about helping others become homesteaders, too. Through my website therootedhomestead.com, I share my DIY tips, share inspiring stories of other homesteaders, and provide resources for anyone who dreams of growing their own food or living off the land. I hope to open a door to a more joyful, meaningful and purposeful life for all.
