I'm glad it's bees. Red wasp are usually on mine and they fight the hummers for it. Like with anyone, a free easy meal is always desirable.

have bees and wasps on and falling into my hb feeder every year, but haven't noted any signficant loss of liquid.

saw a hb this week on my feeder, VERY late, normally all gone by mid-September

I have a few hummers still feeding on my flowers here in North Texas. It is very late for them, so these are probably just passing through.

I haven't had a hummer in a week - maybe more. Guess I'll pick them up. (sigh)
J.D.

I'm sad too JD, I saw only one last week and none since. I may leave just 2 out for the stragglers.

Pam

Pam,
There is one consolation - maybe my whooper will show up again.
; -)
J.D.

Yep JD, we all know how much hummingbirds scare those whoopers ;-)

Pam

We still have four hummingbirds appearing daily at our feeders (2) in central Texas. For those who have a wasp problem, our neighbor has several feeders out, and he puts a dab of mineral oil on the access hole, which discourages the wasps without bothering the hummers. All we have had "stealing" nectar are butterflies, and they are most welcome to all they can drink!

The bees have developed a system here. The smaller HB feeder is one of those light, plastic jobs with 4 little yellow plastic flowers marking the drinking holes.

The bees get on one hole and hang there on top of each other. This tips the feeder to that side and the drink and drink. Several of them hope off, there are also a group on the ground beneath the feeder snarfing the nectar.

I put about 1 3/4 cup of the sugar water into the feeder Wed. afternoon. It was gone Thursday afternoon.

They are onto the glass feeder now, but this one is harder to tip, so they are working all 4 openings. It's been fascinating!

I don't recall seeing a hummer in a few days. I might refill the feeders just to Feed the Bees

c

Bees can be a big problem in some parts of the country. Please do NOT use any type of oil because if the hummingbirds brush against it the oil will get on their feathers and can cause health issues. You must start with a feeder that is specifically designed and advertised to be bee-proof. Then take care when making nectar to not make it too sweet. For hummingbirds a 4-1 ratio is good, too sweet will attract more bees than birds. Then after hanging clean off drips or spills, I like to spray them off with water from a spray bottle. Any little drip or spill will attract some bees. That should do it, but if not, hang another feeder nearby (not too close) containing a much sweeter mixture and the bees will move to that feeder leaving yours to the birds. For more information check out our website at The Hummingbird Store.

Enjoy the Flying Jewels!