Protecting Your Birds

Watching our feathered friends feed and fly is something we all enjoy, and their safety is something that is important to many of us. There are various dangers birds face on a daily basis that include larger predatory birds, windows, greedy squirrels, and insects. Because hummingbird feeders are a hot spot for insects we want to share with you a few ways to keep bees, ants, and other pests away from your feeders so the hummers can enjoy their meal peacefully.

Ants, bees, and wasps love hummingbird feeders because the sweet nectar attracts them. Along with the disadvantage of the nectar being stolen by these bugs, they also create risk for the birds by contaminating the nectar, as well as detering hummingbirds from feeding at the same feeder where bugs roam. It is important to take a few steps to prevent insects from running rampant on your feeders.

Protect hummingbirds from ants by using an ant guard on your feeder. This inexpensive solution keeps ants away by mounting in-line with your feeder. Using Permethrin to repel ants, the Ant Guard is safe for use around birds, pets, and people. To learn more about the Ant Guards available from Perky-Pet® visit http://www.birdfeeders.com/store/feeder-accessories/242.

Much like castles employed moats to keep away unwanted danger, some birdfeeders are equipped with ant moats. The small area on top of the feeder gets filled with water, which keeps ants from accessing feeding ports and disrupting a hummingbird’s feeding experience. Feeders with built-in ant moats include Garden Song® Rose Petal™ Hummingbird Feeder, Perky-Pet® Blossom Top Fill Hummingbird Feeder, and Birdscapes® Violet Meadow Hummingbird Feeder.

Bees are often problematic to hummingbird feeders because they steal food and pose a physical threat to hummers. To deter them from feeding, use a hummingbird feeder that has bee guards. Bee guards are mesh-guards that prevent bees and wasps access to the feeding ports.

If bees and wasps continue to frequent your feeders, you may want to try using a saucer-shaped feeder, such as the Oasis Feeder. With these feeders, the feeding ports are located on the top part of the feeder and the nectar level sits much lower, making the food impossible to reach by insects.

Using these options will keep your feathered friends safe, as well as keep hummingbird guests returning to your feeders.