When feeding hummingbirds, though, you may well find that bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are also drawn to the feeder, sometimes in numbers sufficient to scare away the hummers.
Use so-called “bee guards” over the feeding ports. These plastic cages fit over the hole or tube. They allow hummers to feed through the openings and do keep yellowjackets (except for the small ones) from getting inside but don’t keep wasps off of the feeders.
Mix together a few drops of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils to naturally repel wasps. You can add this essential oil blend to a spray bottle along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, fill the rest of the water bottle up with water, and shake.
There are several essential oils you can use to safely and effectively repel wasps. Peppermint oil on its own has been shown to keep wasps and bees at bay, or you can use a combination of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils as a natural pest control method.
Peppermint oil repellent.
Some bird lovers claim that peppermint extract doesn’t bother hummers but discourages bees and wasps. Dab the minty stuff on the feeding ports and where the bottle attaches to the feeder. Repeat the process after a rainfall. You can also try putting a peppermint plant near the feeder.
DO NOT USE Petroleum jelly (Vaseline), Grease, Oil, Vicks Vapor Rub etc. on the Hanger Rod Above the Feeder. Without an ant moat or trap, some have tried applying Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline), grease and oil to the hanger rod which can prevent ants from traveling to the feeder.
Vinegar does not harm hummingbirds. … Soap is the least favorable method for cleaning a hummingbird feeder because it leaves a distasteful residue changing the flavor of the nectar. There are various chemicals that make up the composition of dish soap.
Bird owners should note that there are some essential oils that are never safe for their birds (or most animals in general), such as tea tree oil, as they can prove to be very toxic to small animals.
Step 2: Deterring scents
While scent is the easiest way to attract these unwanted guests, it’s also the easiest deterrent! Simply incorporate scents that humans find pleasant and bees find repulsive. Some of these off-putting fragrances are peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, and thyme.
Why Are Honey Bees Swarming My Hummingbird Feeder? Honey bees swarm your hummingbird feeder when they don’t have other food sources nearby. Bees prefer nectar over the sugar water inside the hummingbird feeder. But when nectar comes in short supply, bees get desperate and get sweet liquid from any source they can.
Dryer Sheets – Bees and wasps dislike the scent of dryer sheets. Spread them around the picnic area, give them to guests to put in their pockets or rub the scent on skin and clothing. … Hanging them around the picnic area will warn bees and wasps to keep away from the site.
Another household item you can use is apple cider vinegar. This household item eliminates several pests and one of which is wasps. The pungent smell it has can lure wasps which is easier for them to be eliminated. You can create a trap where the pest can enter once attracted.
Use peppermint essential oil
In addition to planting any type of mint in your garden, you can simply add a few drops of peppermint oil to cotton pads and place them strategically around the outside of your home where wasps like to build nests, such as porch roofs, under eaves, and other crevices and ledges.
Spray peppermint oil
Like citronella, peppermint oil also helps to keep the pests away. Create a DIY spray – by shaking a tablespoon of peppermint oil with four cups of water in a spray bottle – and spray it around your dining table before you eat, to help drive the wasps away and stop them from bothering you.
And while they are insects, hummingbirds do not eat wasps or any type of hornet. They are much too big and aggressive for hummingbirds to consider them a part of a nutritious meal. … The more hummingbirds, the less small insects for wasps to be attracted to.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great option for killing ants. When an ant inhales cinnamon, it suffocates and dies. … Cinnamon essential oil also works well to repel ants. Mix a few drops of cinnamon oil with water and spray on ant trails, around doors, windows and cracks.
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