Best Bird Feeder for Hummingbirds: How to Keep It Safe from Bees
If you’ve ever set up a hummingbird feeder in your backyard, you know how magical it feels when those tiny, glittering birds hover and sip nectar. But there’s one problem many bird lovers run into, especially in warmer months: bees. Bees on hummingbird feeders aren’t just a nuisance; they can drive hummingbirds away, create swarms, and even pose a stinging hazard to you and your family. So, how do you keep your feeder safe and still enjoy visits from these dazzling birds?
As someone who’s maintained hummingbird-friendly gardens for over a decade, I’ve tested countless setups and spoken with experts, including wildlife rehabilitators and backyard birding pros. Here, I’ll walk you through how to choose the best bird feeder for hummingbirds and protect it from bees naturally and effectively. This guide is built to meet modern SEO standards, but more importantly, it’s built to help you, the reader, keep your feeders buzzing with only the right kind of guests.
Bee Attraction to Hummingbird Feeders
Let’s get one thing straight: bees aren’t the villains here. They’re important pollinators and a vital part of our ecosystem. But when they crowd hummingbird feeders, they dominate the space, drain the nectar, and discourage hummingbirds from visiting.
Bees are especially drawn to sugary solutions, and most hummingbird nectar (a mix of sugar and water) is basically an open invitation. If the feeder design allows bees easy access, or if spills leave sugary residue around the ports, it’s only a matter of time before bees take over.
Recommended Hummingbird Feeders
The best hummingbird feeder is one that attracts birds while minimizing access for insects like bees and ants. Based on personal trials and feedback from avid birders, here’s what to look for:
1. Bee-Resistant Port Design
Go for a feeder that has deep feeding ports or ports that are recessed (set back inside).
Bees and wasps have short tongues. If the nectar is deep inside the feeder hole, bees won’t be able to reach it — but hummingbirds can.
This simple design trick can reduce bee visits by a lot.
2. No Yellow Parts on the Feeder
Bees love yellow. They think it means flowers with pollen or nectar. So, if your feeder has yellow flowers or accents, bees will be attracted to it.
Instead, pick a feeder with only red parts. Red attracts hummingbirds — not bees.
This one change can make a big difference.
3. Built-In Ant Moats
Ants are also a problem. They climb down to reach the nectar.
A built-in ant moat is a small cup-shaped part on top of the feeder that you fill with water.
Ants can’t cross water, so they stop right there. Many modern feeders include this feature.
4. Easy-to-Clean Design
If nectar spills or leaks around the feeding ports, it leaves a sticky mess.
That sticky area attracts bees, ants, and wasps.
So, always choose a feeder that’s easy to open and rinse daily. Look for designs with few parts and wide openings.
Tips to keep hummingbird feeder safe from bees
Even the best bird feeder for hummingbirds isn’t foolproof. Here’s how to bee-proof your setup further:
1. Use Bee Guards
Bee guards are small plastic mesh covers placed over the nectar ports of the feeder. These guards allow hummingbirds to feed easily but block bees from reaching the nectar. If your feeder doesn’t come with built-in bee guards, you can buy them separately. They are a non-toxic and safe solution to keep bees away.
2. Keep It Clean
Bees are attracted to sticky and sugary surfaces. If sugar water spills or leaks around the feeder and is not cleaned regularly, it will attract more bees and other insects. In summer, nectar ferments quickly, so it’s best to clean the feeder every 1–2 days. In cooler weather, you can clean it every 3–5 days.
3. Reduce Sugar Ratio Temporarily
The standard nectar mix for hummingbirds is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water (4:1). Bees love this sweet mixture. You can slightly reduce the sweetness by using a 5:1 ratio temporarily. Hummingbirds will still come, but bees may lose interest. This is a short-term solution until bees stop visiting.
4. Move the Feeder
Once bees find a nectar source, they keep coming back. If you move the feeder a few feet away or place it in a shaded area, the bees may get confused and stop coming. Bees prefer sunny spots, so placing the feeder in shade can make it less visible to them.
5. Offer a Decoy Feeder
Set up an extra feeder filled with sugar water just for the bees, away from the main hummingbird feeder. Use the regular 4:1 nectar ratio in the decoy feeder. Since it’s easier to access, bees may switch to it, leaving the main feeder bee-free for the hummingbirds.
6. Choose Glass Over Plastic
Plastic feeders heat up quickly in the sun, which can cause the nectar to leak. Sticky leaks attract bees. Glass feeders are more heat-resistant, keeping the nectar stable and preventing leaks. They are also a better long-term choice for durability and cleanliness.e lagti hain. Glass feeders zyada heat resistant hote hain, aur nectar stable rehta hai. Glass feeders long-term use ke liye bhi better choice hote hain.
DIY Hummingbird Feeder: Make Your Own Bee-Proof Version
Want to go the homemade route? Here’s a simple way to build a DIY hummingbird feeder that reduces bee activity:
Materials:
- Small glass jar with lid
- Drill or nail
- Red ribbon or paint
- Plastic tubing or small ports
Instructions:
- Drill small holes into the lid for feeding ports (just wide enough for a hummingbird’s beak).
- Decorate with red ribbon to attract hummingbirds.
- Add sugar water (4:1 ratio).
- Hang in a shaded area with an ant moat attached.
Keep the holes small enough to prevent bees from accessing the nectar inside.
FAQs
Look for red-colored feeders with multiple ports and bee-resistant design. HummZinger and Perky-Pet models are top picks.
The best feeders are easy to clean, feature bee guards, and have ant moats. Glass designs with top-fill ports are also highly rated.
It’s a container filled with sugar-water solution to attract hummingbirds. It typically has ports shaped like flowers where birds can sip nectar.
Use a homemade solution of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Never use honey, brown sugar, or red dye.
They love fresh nectar, red-colored feeders, safe perching areas, and gardens with native flowering plants.
Final Thoughts
Bees are vital pollinators, but they shouldn’t ruin your hummingbird-watching experience. With the right feeder and a few smart techniques, you can enjoy peaceful, bee-free birdwatching in your backyard.
Want to create the perfect haven for hummingbirds? Explore our full guide on Best Bird Feeders for Hummingbirds and learn how to build a complete bird-friendly garden.
