Post by Joe M on Feb 14, 2012 13:25:16 GMT -5
Trying to keep the threads to a minimum but bee strategies are somewhat linked to other pests and we have an Ant Strategy thread so why not a Bee Strategy thread? Both are subtopics under 'Feeders so I guess I have started another thread.
First be careful with the bees as we have numerous Africanized bees in FL.
Not pleasant to deal with and possibly a fatal threat.
Bees in general will have a greater tendency to be attracted by feeders that are predominately yellow in color but that is a relative tendency.
Bottle feeders with downward slanted tubes are a prime target (easy for them to access the solution). Perching feeders are not immune to bee onslaught for hummers leave small amounts of solution on the ports when they withdraw their bills. There are some feeds that employ bee guards but they may or may not deter the bees.
One solution I know of is to to reduce the sugar percentage in the solution to 1-5 rather than 1-4. Hummers won't mind but bees will not be quite so satisfied by reduced sugar content. Not a guarantee but it does help.
Only other solution is the 'trap and dispose of them solution'. Some may find this objectionable but it is a 'final solution. 'CAUTION': do not use traps containing pesticides or chemicals harmful to Hummers!
There are many on the market that are reusable and can be 'baited with your regular hummer feeding solution. Have used them with success over the years. The bee problem does not seem to be an annual problem for most yards, it's a recurring event in my yard, but only every three years or so.
And that's all the help I have to offer, or all I know about the bee solution.
Joe M.
Lakeland, FL
First be careful with the bees as we have numerous Africanized bees in FL.
Not pleasant to deal with and possibly a fatal threat.
Bees in general will have a greater tendency to be attracted by feeders that are predominately yellow in color but that is a relative tendency.
Bottle feeders with downward slanted tubes are a prime target (easy for them to access the solution). Perching feeders are not immune to bee onslaught for hummers leave small amounts of solution on the ports when they withdraw their bills. There are some feeds that employ bee guards but they may or may not deter the bees.
One solution I know of is to to reduce the sugar percentage in the solution to 1-5 rather than 1-4. Hummers won't mind but bees will not be quite so satisfied by reduced sugar content. Not a guarantee but it does help.
Only other solution is the 'trap and dispose of them solution'. Some may find this objectionable but it is a 'final solution. 'CAUTION': do not use traps containing pesticides or chemicals harmful to Hummers!
There are many on the market that are reusable and can be 'baited with your regular hummer feeding solution. Have used them with success over the years. The bee problem does not seem to be an annual problem for most yards, it's a recurring event in my yard, but only every three years or so.
And that's all the help I have to offer, or all I know about the bee solution.
Joe M.
Lakeland, FL