If you have hummingbird feeders, you want to keep the wasps away. Wasps are territorial creatures. That means they'll go out of their way to protect a good food source. That includes chasing hummingbirds away from their own feeders. Unfortunately, hummingbirds tend to leave the area if they're harassed by wasps. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to keep the wasps away. Here are four of them.
Choose the Right Feeders
When it comes to keeping wasps away, the most important thing you can do is choose the right feeders. Wasps prefer feeders that give them easy access to the nectar. Saucer feeders are the best feeders for keeping the pests away. That's because there are longer feeding tubes. Wasps can't reach the nectar when the tubes are too long. Once wasps realize they can't reach the nectar, they'll find somewhere else to feed.
Avoid the Color Yellow
If you want to keep wasps away from your hummingbird feeder, be careful with colors. Wasps like the color yellow. If your hummingbird feeder has any yellow on it, wasps will swarm the area. They'll also swarm the area if you have yellow flowers or yard decorations in the area. You can keep the wasps away by keeping the color yellow away from your feeders.
Create a Distraction
If wasps are chasing your hummingbirds away, create a distraction. Wasps try to stay away from areas that have already staked out by other insects. Luckily, you don't need to bring in another hive or nest. But you do need to make it look like there's another active hive or nest. One way to create a distraction is to hang brown paper bags around your hummingbird feeders. Open the bags up to full size and tie them near your feeders. The bags look like nests and hives to the swarming wasps.
Clean Your Feeders
Finally, if you're worried about wasp activity, keep your hummingbird feeders clean. Sticky nectar residue attracts wasps. You can keep the wasp population under control. Clean your hummingbird feeders at least once a week. It's also important that you take your feeders down to fill them. That way, you avoid spilling nectar on the ground near your feeders. The spills also attract wasps to the area.
Don't let wasps take over your hummingbird feeders. Use the tips provided here to keep wasps away and protect your hummingbirds. You can buy wasp-proof hummingbird feeders online for extra security.
