Does anyone have any ideas about how to keep yellowjackets away from hummingbird feeders? I am highly allergic to yellowjackets and occasionally would like to take closeup pictures of hummingbirds and don't want to get stung when I fill up the feeder.I had only one sting me about 15 years ago and didn't know I was allergic and I had to stop at a drugstore before I got home. My eyes and lips were swelling and I could feel my throat closing up. They gave me a bunch of Benadryl and called the Rescue Squad. I really need ideas. I have a really neat feeder! It is round and flat and has 6 ports and around the edge, it has a perch. In the certer it has a little depression to put water in to catch any ants the might come down the rod it is suspended from.
yellowjackets versus hummingbird feeders
I would like to know this as well, hopefully someone will have some ideas soon.
I always wait until after dark to fill my feeders to try and avoid the yellowjackets. My husband takes them apart outside and washes them out with the water hose before I bring them in to clean and fill. I brought them in once without doing that and a yellowjacket was up in the one of the little yellow cage things where the bird gets his nectar.
My son has an allergic reaction to bee stings as well. It's really scary!!
blu, you might try one of these, they have nectar guards that keep away insects:
http://yhst-34541111918557.stores.yahoo.net/huulhufe.html
Would having some of those epi-pens around help, just in case you get stung.....that would be scary!
I'm in the same boat. Was just tested and it confirmed I am very allergic. I have epi-pens and you should too. I have a feeder with the moat but that does not keep them from buzzing around the feeder, just from getting in the nectar.
bama's advice is very good. Change it when they are not active - after they have returned to their hive at night. As for photos, a good zoom is your best bet!
a light spraying of PAM on the feeder works reasonably well.
I wondered if this might work..I had thought about wiping a light coating of cooking oil or Pam on the top but didn't know if it might hurt them.Since we eat it,I didn't think that there would be anything wrong. Thanks! I'll let you know how it works.