Where are my hummingbirds?
Sightings are definitely down this year. Last year was a banner year for hummingbird visits and because we didn't get a spring freeze this year everything bloomed - good for us, great for the hummingbirds! They'll take natures nectar over ours any day!
But don't give up! Continue to change your nectar twice a week. Hummers will finish up nesting in August, the babes will be hunger, the blooms will have died off and they'll be hitting the feeders once again.
How do I keep ants and bees out of my hummingbird feeders?
My first response is, 'Is your hummingbird feeder dripping?' If it is throw it out and get a new one that has ports above the nectar. Dripping hummingbird feeders are like a huge FREE FOOD HERE sign for ants and bees! During the hottest times of the year, when hummingbirds are visiting your feeders often, nectar heats up and creates pressure inside the feeder and if your feeders nectar reservoir is above the ports it is bound to leak out.
But if you want to try to deal with these pests, here are some tips:
Ants are prolific this year and they too love nectar! But guess what? They don't swim! So attach an ant moat filled with water to your feeder so that the ants have to (attempt to) go through the water to get to your hummingbird feeder. Check the water level frequently as finch love to take sips from the ant moats & it will evaporate fast on hot days!
Bees are much trickier! Diligence is key here. The only solution I have heard of (that is said to have worked) is to use Avon Skin So Soft around the portal - NOT in the portal. Bees don't like it. The only issue with this is of course reapplying often.
I personally would recommend you purchase a hummingbird feeder with extended ports on the inside of the feeder. This makes it more difficult for bees to get to the nectar and if they too don't give up you can attach nectar guards to the inside ports. The hummers can still get their nectar but the bees can't get near it.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
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