Concerned about bees invading your feeder? You’re right to be cautious, as bees are one of the most common invaders of hummingbird feeders. In severe cases, they can even pose a threat to the hummingbirds themselves, whose small size makes them vulnerable to bee stings.
Bees are typically drawn to the yellow-colored ports of hummingbird feeders and can become even more problematic when they mix with the nectar. While some resort to residual sprays to deter bees, these can also be harmful to hummingbirds.
In this review guide, we’ll introduce you to the best bee-proof feeders designed to naturally keep bees at bay. With these feeders, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds without worrying about unwanted bee encounters.
Our Top Pick
Best Overall: Muse Garden 60IN Hummingbird Feeder
It’s one of the best glass hummingbird-feeder within the reasonable price range with 4 ports and a 25-ounce nectar capacity.
Budget-Friendly: Juegoal Hummingbird Feeder
If you are looking for a good budget-friendly hummingbird feeder, this will be the best choice for you, with 8 ports and a 16-ounce nectar capacity.
LIST OF BEST BEEF PROOF HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS 2022
1. More Birds 60IN Glass Hummingbird Feeder
It’s a beautiful decorative vintage-glass bottle hummingbird feeder to hang outdoors. The metal gold finish base with perfectly designed bee guard flower ports makes it an ideal feeder to discourage bees and other insects. The red antique design bottle is the right choice for antique piece lovers, along with a metal hanger. You can also go for a clear glass bottle if you want a transparent bottle with a slight price difference.
Ports and capacity
The 5 red flower feeding ports are specially designed to attract hummingbirds along with a 20-ounce capacity. It has 5 integrated perches along each port to provide maximum comfort to hummingbirds.
Easy to refill and clean
The wide-mouth design offers easy filling and cleaning with each separable part and minimizes the spillage issues.
WHAT WE LIKE:
It has 5 ports with 20-ounce nectar capacity.
It’s very easy to clean the whole feeder with soft Bee guard ports.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE:
May be little expensive for you.
2. Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder
It’s another beautiful glass bee-proof hummingbird feeder with a special leak-proof gasket to minimize the insect’s attraction. The wonderful combinations of colors with unique dots increase the beauty of your backyard—this feeder is made with toxic-free material and a non-peeling coating and color. The accessories include the ant moat, S-hook, hemp rope, and brush. This unique design prevents the bees and other insects attack.
Ports and Capacity
It has four flowering ports with 25 ounces of nectar capacity and beautiful “T” shaped perches. A convenient design for the hummingbirds to feed with maximum comfort.
Safe
The lead-free and toxic-free material is used to provide all-around care for hummingbirds. It’s made with recycled material to preserve the environment for future generations.
Durable
All the glass feeders are resistant to damage and fading compared to the plastic bird feeders and perform better in all weather conditions.
WHAT WE LIKE:
Four birds can feed at a time with 4 ports and 25-ounce nectar capacity.
It’s a safe material feeder with leak-proof gasket.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE:
Glass feeders are little heavier as compared to plastic feeder.
3. Perky-Pet 203CPBR Hummingbird Feeder
It’s a red glass translucent hummingbird feeder with a clean wide-mouth opening. The built-in ant moat and bee guards protect the nectar from ants, bees, and other insects. Fill the ant moat with water to prevent the ants from reaching the nectar. The nectar reservoir is relatively easy to disassemble for easy cleaning and refilling. This unique design feeder can draw the hummingbirds’ attention passing through your backyard and make your garden a perfect place for hummingbirds.
Capacity and ports
It has beautiful four flowering ports with 8 ounces nectar capacity. The ports’ unique whole flower design is very attractive for the hummingbirds and discourages bees due to a guard.
Easy cleaning
All the separable parts make it very easy to clean the feeder. Even you can also remove the bee guards along with the plastic base for thorough cleaning.
Light-weight
Even the filling tank is made up of glass; still, it’s a perfect lightweight feeder to use in the garden as it has only a 12.1-ounce weight.
WHAT WE LIKE:
There are 4 ports along with 8-ounce nectar capacity.
It’s one of the best lightweight glass feeder.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE:
It’s a low capacity feeder, which needs frequent refilling.
4. SEWANTA Hummingbird Feeder
It’s three pieces set, including a feeder, one ant moat, and a hanging chain. The bright red color of the feeder with yellow color flower ports can attract many hummingbirds species. Yellow ports are specially designed to discourage bees and other insects. Fill the above ant moat guard with water or brush with cooking oil to block the ants. The perfect place to hang this feeder is 5 feet above the ground to enjoy backyard birds. You can also use 9.5 inches chain to adjust your feeder height.
Capacity and ports
The 10 feeding ports of this special feeder allow maximum hummingbirds to feed at a time with a 16-ounce nectar capacity. Hang this feeder in your backyard, and enjoy the birds with the perfect red-yellow combination.
Leak-proof
It has a built-in hermetic screw-in seal to prevent leakage issues, which is also important to minimize the insect’s attraction. When the screw is upside down, it prevents the occurrence of rainwater.
Hard plastic
Don’t worry about the durability like the usual plastic feeders, the hard plastic of this feeder will provide you a long-lasting hummingbird feeder for all weathers.
WHAT WE LIKE:
It has 10 ports with 16-ounce nectar capacity.
It’s a leakproof hard plastic design.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE:
Don’t have special perches.
5. Juegoal Hummingbird Feeder
It’s a unique shape tray-like hummingbird feeder with a built-in ant moat to prevent ants and other insects. You can hang it with any tree or a pole in your garden using an included hanging rod. Juegoal hummingbird feeders are one of the simplest and cheapest ways to feed hummingbirds. All the BPA-free plastic material is used in this feeder with perfectly designed flowering ports. The translucent hose allows you to keep check of nectar without opening it.
Capacity and ports
This hummingbird feeder has 8 feeding ports with 16 ounces of nectar capacity. Try to fill all the tray-type feeders early without waiting for an empty hose as many hummingbirds’ tongues can’t reach the depth of the tray hose.
Easy to clean
Don’t worry about the cracking while cleaning like the glass feeders. It’s easy to remove the cover and detach the built-in ant moat for thorough cleaning.
WHAT WE LIKE:
This low price tray feeder has 8 ports with 16-ounce capacity.
It’s very easy to clean this detachable hummingbird feeder.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE:
Not good for hot weather conditions.
Some Natural Ways to Keep the Bees Away:
Nectar-filled feeders are equally attractive for the bees and many other insects as well, which causes many problems for birds. While trying to reach the nectar, these insects die and get mixed with nectar. Many frustrated backyard birds, including the hummingbirds, attempt to eat them to fulfill their protein needs in the summer season, but these are harmful. So, the best option is to keep them away from the hummingbird feeders. Let’s see how we can keep the bees away.
1. Choose a red saucer feeder
A red-saucer feeder is the best choice as the hummingbird tongue can reach the nectar, but the insects can’t. It’s a good color to attract the hummingbirds while the bees are attracted to yellow color. Try to avoid anything yellow in your garden.
2. Slip nectar guard tips over feeder holes
If your hummingbird feeder has yellow jackets, it’s ok; otherwise, try to slip the nectar guard tips over the feeder holes. This will prevent the bees from reaching the nectar.
3. Periodically move the feeder
Periodically moving the feeder can be beneficial in preventing the nectar from bees. Move the feeder 3 or 4 feet after some days as the birds will still find it, and the insects won’t.
4. Place fake wasp nests
Try to remove all the real wasp nests from your area and put the fake nests in protected areas to detect the real wasps. They won’t typically venture into a place that is already occupied.
6. Use decoy feeders
Decoy feeder is a duplicate feeder as of the hummingbird feeders, which you can be hang for bees. It’s an effective way to keep the bees away from the special hummingbird feeder. You can place this specific bee feeder near the hummingbird feeder in full sunlight such that it’s easily visible to the bees.
7. Plant bee-friendly flowers
Giving an alternative to bees is a good way to divert their intention. You can do this by planting bee-friendly flowers as they will flock to nectar-rich flowers in your garden. Try to plant colorful annual plants like fuchsia, inpatients, and perennials. Bees usually prefer an easy source of nectar. So, whether you are using another feeder or a bowl for bees, make sure it’s open enough for the bees to easily access the nectar.
8. Make a less sweet nectar
4:1 is a perfect water and sugar ratio for hummingbirds, but not for the bees as they prefer sugar-rich sources. So, you can alter the sugar ratio for some time to discourage the bees and try 5:1, which is still good for hummingbirds.
9. Try a shaded location
Although hummingbirds and bees prefer to feed on any feeder which is accessible, bees are more likely to look for nectar in sunlight. So, choosing a shady location for feeder placement can make your feeder less attractive to bees. It also prevents the nectar from spoiling, especially during the summer season.
10. Use insect traps
There are many commercial insect traps available that can reduce the insect’s strength in your garden. It’s also good to attract hummingbirds, as they like to eat many insects. So, don’t use insecticide sprays and oils as they can contaminate the nectar, which is potentially harmful to hummingbirds.
Tips for Choosing a Bee-Proof Hummingbird Feeder:
Whenever you are looking for a bee-proof hummingbird feeder, there are certain things you should keep in your mind.
- The first thing is the color; you need to know that yellow color is one of the most attractive colors for bees. They are more likely to target the yellow color; that’s why most hummingbird feeders are red. You can buy a feeder with small yellow tips on the flowering ports as hummingbirds also like it, but a completely yellow feeder is nothing more than a bee’s nectar feeder.
- The second thing is the size of the feeding ports, which should be a little large such that hummingbirds can get some privacy compared to the neighbors. If the feeding holes have bee guards, that’s perfect; otherwise, try to buy a feeder with small holes such that bees can’t fit through it.
- Thirdly, look for the easy to clean feeders as it’s also an important feature to prevent wasps, bees, and other unwanted audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why wasps and bees are at my hummingbird feeders?
Many people face an invading army of bees, wasps, and hornets on their feeders, usually due to a bad hummingbird feeder choice. Please see the following if you are also facing these types of issues.
- Is your feeder leaking?
- Are you place your feeder near the Bee’s hive?
- Is your feeder have bee protection?
At what time are bees most active on hummingbird feeders?
Bees are usually more active in the peak sunny day hours at 72 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. It’s observed that they prefer a temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use the dryer sheet to keep the bees away?
Dryer sheet scent is discouraging for the bees, which can be put around the picnic area or rub on the skin and clothes to discourage bees. But some dryer sheets are also toxic that can be dangerous for hummingbirds. These sheets contain harmful ingredients, which can be responsible for pancreatic cancer, and central nervous system disorder.
Can bees kill hummingbirds?
Sometimes wasps, bees, and other insects maneuver around and attack hummingbirds. Even a single sting can be deadly for hummingbirds. Sometimes the bees can also mix with the nectar and leave the toxic chemical, affecting the hummingbird’s stomach.
