For the past week wasps and other stinging things have been chasing my hummers from the feeder. I don't know where the nests are for the stinging things or I'd consider getting rid of them. Hosing the feeder doesn't really help because though it gets the stingers to leave (angrily) for a little while, I don't have any way of calling the hummers back for a briefly safe period.
I've thought of another feeder or a pan of sugar water in another location, but I think it would just attract more stingers (and a million ants) but not trick them into leaving the hummer feeder alone.
This only started about a week ago with an occasional stinger but still most of th daylight hours safe for the hummers. Now the stingers are really taking over. I have seen them fly after the hummers in pursuit.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
Wasps chasing my hummers
Try spraying your feeders - including the bottom - with pam. It repels the ants and bees, perhaps it will do the same for wasps. My hummers are so happy to have their feeders back. Good luck.
Thank you for the reply, daiseycat. I did read something about trying that, but I also read somewhere else that if the oil gets on the hummers it could impair their ability to fly. I decided to err on the side of caution since I couldn't be sure what parts might come in contact with hummers bodies. I tried moving it. Read that insects were too stupid to find a new location - wrong. I finally found a Hummzinger in a local wild bird store. It's concept is that the nectar is too deep for the insects to get to AND that it doesn't spill/leak because the nectar is only in the bottom, not coming from a top feed container.
Well, what I read about the Hummzinger turned out to be so. It was almost a week before the swarm of stingers finally gave up and left it alone, but clearly they were not able to get any nectar. My hummers finally were able to come back safely. They sit on the perch that goes 'round the feeder (my other didn't have a perch) and drink often. I am relieved.
Oh, and what the advertising says about cleaning is true too - there are no nooks or crannies or wells under "flowers" that hold nectar. All is accessible for visual confirmation that the feeder has been totally cleaned.
I hadn't heard that about the oil. I have one new humzinger to replace a balloon type. I guess I'll try not spritzing it.
are hummers humming birds? if so, do you have any pictures, I don't think we get them where I am.
WW; Yes, when I typed hummers, I was referring to humming birds in general. The only type we get here are the Ruby Throat Humming Birds. Sorry, I don't have a picture. Also sorry that we don't get more varieties (zone envy), they are such fun to watch. :)