Experiment with Feverfew

I saw somewhere on the internet that bees don't like feverfew and will not come in your yard if you have this planted. Since I always end up having to take down my hummingbird feeders because of bees I was willing to try anything. I happened to find some at the local hardware store nursery so I planted it in a ice cream container so it will hang right below the feeder. I have seen a few fly around it and some in my yard but not on the feeder. But it's only been 1/2 day so far.Has anyone else tried planting this and does it work?

Better Bloom, I will follow this post to hear your success. We endure yellow jackets around the hummer feeders and this might be worth a try.

I found one reference in an herb book that states "one active ingredient in feverfew is thought to be pyrethrin. If it is, the effectiveness of feverfew as an insecticide and insect repellent would be explained."
You go, girl!

Nope, didn't work. By the end of the afternoon I had bees all over the feeder. I also read that Downy fabric sheets kept bees away, tried that but it didn't work either. Will try something again tomorrow, just don't know what.

Looking at your photo reminded me of what I was told somewhere here on DG when I said the YJs wouldn't leave the feeders alone. I was told to remove the yellow flowers and or bee guards. The hummers don't need them and the bees are drawn to that color. Worth a try for a few days maybe? pod

I thought I read somewhere to paint the flowers. I'll try that tormorrow. I looked back to the feverfew. The article reads "chryanthemum parthenium" what I bought was "Tanacetum parthenium" both are part of the feverfew family, but maybe what I have is not the same. I read twice that you can't even plant this in your yard if you have plants that need to be pollenated (sp?) by the bees because they won't even come in your yard. HA!

Ahhh... A subtle reminder that we shouldn't believe everything we read. : )) pod

Yes, it's true "There's a sucker born every minute"

Well, I tried removing the flowers and then painted the flowers but it didn't help. I tried hanging a fly catcher bottle filled with sugar water but they wouldn't even go near it.....will try something else tomorrow.

I am not sure what a fly catcher bottle is. Have you tried cutting the top off a two liter bottle, then turning it upside down like a funnel and putting it inside the bottle? You then put some type of fruit juice or pop/soda/cola in the bottom and they get in but not back out. A local fruit stand uses those and they work very well. I guess it depends if you want to drive them or catch them.

Right now they are so bad the birds can't even get to the feeder. The bees have taken over all of the holes. I don't care how I get rid of them, I just want them gone. I've been reading up on the hummzinger and they say the bees can't get to the fluid, so I might order some of those. I am also going to try the soda bottle also....At this point I'll try anything. Thanks for the tip.

The soda bottle idea will work but it will catch the good and the bad bugs. It doesn't discriminate... I have one made from glass. It was called a Medival Wasp trap. Certainly worth a try. I have a couple of feeders like the Hummzinger. Not that brand. The ports are on top and the bees/yjs don't seem to worry those feeders as much.

Betterbloom, how long do you get to enjoy the hummers? I am afraid ours are long gone here.

Our are hear year long, but we do get alot more in the spring & summer. We are in the migratory path of many birds but they don't stay long. Right now all we are getting is the stupid doves..they are eating my winter grass seed! I will wake up to about 20-30 of them in my yard. I just got a new (decent) camera so I can't wait to get pics of the birds. We have great horned owls that nest in the tree so hopefully I can get pics of the babies, I think they nest in late winter. We used to put hot dogs on string and the owls would chase it across the field..we call in nite owl fishing! I just got into bird watching last year so don't know all of the names. My favs are the yellow headed blackbirds and the orioles.

Betterbloom - tanacetum parthenium and chrysanthemum parthenium are the same thing I believe.

I have it all over my garden - it self seeds readily and It certainly doesn't have any effect on the bees in my yard!

carolvan

I think they actually like it..I'm going to order the hummzinger and try the soda bottles next. Now my neighbors will really think I'm strange if I start hanging bottles all over the place. They complained when we fertilized our winter lawn and now complaining cuz I'm putting in a small pond (mosquitos). Grrr!

Mosquitos are o.k., they will provide food for the birds! I enjoy the birds. We have a different selection and a seasonal change here. Fascinating to watch them tho. Will look forward to your new camera pictures too...

Another experiment with the hummingbird feeder. Spray with Pam.
I have noticed that the bees don't bother it until the sugar water has dripped out of the holes. Seems the wind will tip it and the birds seem to drip some on the sides. I finally put it back out today, sprayed with Pam. I've already had hummers coming around, they're having a hard time choosing between the watering can and the feeder. I'll be watching it today to see if I get bees.

Hummingbirds all day. The bees wouldn't even go close to it. There weren't as many bees out today so I'll give it a few more days before I say it works.

All right, that does it! You better move over, I am sitting here with mid 20's outside, haven't seen a hummer since Oct, darn little in bloom. I am jealous and thinking about a warmer climate! : ))
I do hope this works for you and has no detrimental effect on the hummers. Thanks for sharing the photos... pod

Yes, it may seem nice here but: 1) hardly any butterflies 2) summer temps 120-130
I got the idea of Pam from a hummingbird ranch so I would assume it's okay for the little birdies.
www.hummingbirdworld.com

This message was edited Dec 4, 2006 9:42 AM

Yahoooo! Day 3 and still no bees. Lots of bees outside today, so many I couldn't even sit out there, but none on the feeder.

Day 6 and still no bees. I sprayed it again with Pam because the website doesn't say how long it works for. It doesn't seem to bother the hummers at all, just the bees. Maybe if I spray it on myself they will leave me alone also. Sounds like another experiment in the future.

Ewwwww... I think I'd pass on myself. Glad to hear it is finally a success.... pod

It's either that or a full body beekeeper suit. The bees are so agressive right now, making gardening almost impossible. Maybe just an old hat will do.

It must be your sweet aura...

Well of course that must be it !