Hummingbirds and others

[Wilma]

I heard a wren yesterday.  Haven't seen it yet, though.

[Wilma]

There is a hummingbird in Howard.  A tiny ruby throated one.  It was at our feeder that got put up just a couple of days ago.  After feasting at the feeder, he went on to sample the roses, irises and a daisy.

[Judy Harder]

this is a bee question about hummingbirds.

Now, I don't have the problem, but my friend from a couple of streets west of me has been invaded with honey-bees.
She put her feeders out and the birds are being chased away by bees.
I haven't gone over to look at her feeders...........and she says they stay away from one of the feeders (she has 4)but the rest they just took over.

I know we have a guy on the south edge of town who has bee's........but is this unusual. Don't want to use anything that would harm either the bees or the birds.
Could there be a swarm in a tree somewhere close.......Ok, I just decided to walk over there today and take a look. She gets out of school about 4 so, will check it out.
Oh, no, has to be later as I am going to the fairgrounds to walk with the "Walk Across Kansas" group.
if anyone wants to join us that starts at 4........
Have a great day. I intend to.

[Diane Amberg]

The round flying saucer with the ports on top  work well because they have bee guards and my bottle type with four drinking ports have yellow bee guards also. I have a problem with ants getting in but Al built some ant moats  to keep them out. A friend suggested moving them about 12 feet away for a few days and see if they will forget where they are and stay away. There may be a hive nearby. I don't know how far they range.

[srkruzich]

this is a bee question about hummingbirds.

Now, I don't have the problem, but my friend from a couple of streets west of me has been invaded with honey-bees.
She put her feeders out and the birds are being chased away by bees.
I haven't gone over to look at her feeders...........and she says they stay away from one of the feeders (she has 4)but the rest they just took over.

Change feeders. Honeybees are attracted by yellow.  They ignore the red.  She probably has yellow on the spouts where the birds feed. 

[srkruzich]

The round flying saucer with the ports on top  work well because they have bee guards and my bottle type with four drinking ports have yellow bee guards also. I have a problem with ants getting in but Al built some ant moats  to keep them out. A friend suggested moving them about 12 feet away for a few days and see if they will forget where they are and stay away. There may be a hive nearby. I don't know how far they range.

3mile radius from the hive.

Those yellow bee guards are the problem.

[farmgal67357]

There is a hummingbird in Howard.  A tiny ruby throated one.  It was at our feeder that got put up just a couple of days ago.  After feasting at the feeder, he went on to sample the roses, irises and a daisy.

I've got one too, but it is dull colored and doesn't have a ruby throat. Maybe a female or a young one?
Lisa

[Diane Amberg]

Steve, I don't have bee problems with those yellow bee guards, but if she does then changing them might be helpful.

[Judy Harder]

Thanks to all of you for replying. I did walk by there yesterday and her son was in the yard.
He said the bee's were coming from the south part of town...........and after looking that way, the bees, don't have to detour a bit from hive to nectar.

He did say the bee's weren't threatening, like a swarm of wild bees would...........and the hummers were still getting their share.
I think my friend just doesn't like bees and if it continues, ( I will talk to her tonight) I will suggest she change types of feeders...or take them down for a little bit and make the honey bees choose another source.

I have ants.....but have sort of stopped them with petroleum jelly. I grease the hanger and part of the roof of feeder. yes I still get ants, but the birds feed on them and Oh, the p-jelly won't hurt birds, but pesticide will. as long as the ants stay out of my house I will leave them alone.
We have tansy growing and with the advice of a herbalist have starts in different areas........and this year I think it is working. Even bring cuttings into the apartment to smell up the place. Ants don't like it.

Thanks again for advice.

[srkruzich]

Thanks to all of you for replying. I did walk by there yesterday and her son was in the yard.
He said the bee's were coming from the south part of town...........and after looking that way, the bees, don't have to detour a bit from hive to nectar.

He did say the bee's weren't threatening, like a swarm of wild bees would...........and the hummers were still getting their share.
I think my friend just doesn't like bees and if it continues, ( I will talk to her tonight) I will suggest she change types of feeders...or take them down for a little bit and make the honey bees choose another source.

I have ants.....but have sort of stopped them with petroleum jelly. I grease the hanger and part of the roof of feeder. yes I still get ants, but the birds feed on them and Oh, the p-jelly won't hurt birds, but pesticide will. as long as the ants stay out of my house I will leave them alone.
We have tansy growing and with the advice of a herbalist have starts in different areas........and this year I think it is working. Even bring cuttings into the apartment to smell up the place. Ants don't like it.

Thanks again for advice.

Move the feeders. Honeybees map the location of a nectar source and if you move it they wlll return and tell the hive its no longer there.  Now that doesn't stop a scout from finding it and going back to do their figure 8 dance but it will confuse them