Experts Reveal How to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders

There's something magical about watching a hummingbird zip through your backyard, hovering beside a feeder for a quick sip of sweet nectar each year when they migrate back to the U.S. But if you've noticed bees around your hummingbird feeder, you're not alone. What starts as a peaceful backyard scene can quickly turn frustrating when too many insects compete for the same sugary treat and make it harder for hummingbirds to stop by.

The good news is that bees and hummingbirds can share the same space. Both are important pollinators that play valuable roles in the ecosystem, and the goal isn't to get rid of bees, it's to create a bird-friendly feeding area where both can thrive.

For backyard bird lovers dealing with bees taking over a hummingbird feeder, finding a safe solution is key. That's why we turned to pest control professional Nicole Carpenter and Cornell University Master Beekeeper Frank Mortimer for expert-backed tips on how to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders without harming hummingbirds or beneficial pollinators.

Why Are Bees Attracted to Hummingbird Feeders in the First Place?

If bees are suddenly swarming your hummingbird feeder, know it's a common problem for bird lovers. However, these tiny pollinators are naturally drawn to the same sugary nectar that hummingbirds love and that's not the only reason they are appearing. There are a few surprising factors that can make your feeder even more appealing that birdwatchers may not know.

There are two main reasons why bees are drawn to nectar feeders. The first one is obvious: it's the nectar. According to Mortimer, bees have a "super-powered" sense of smell, and using their antennae, they can quickly lock onto any sources of sugar nearby, hummingbird feeders included.

"The issue with hummingbird feeders is that bees will always be able to smell the sugar syrup, which mimics the actual nectar produced by flowers," Mortimer explains. "Additionally, in late summer, many areas experience a dearth, which is when the flowers are done blooming and producing nectar, so bees and other insects begin desperately looking for other sources of nectar and are more likely to visit hummingbird feeders."

The core issue, therefore, is that hummingbirds and bees are competing for the same resources. However, there's another, more unlikely culprit that might be bringing in the bees as well.

"Bees are naturally attracted by bright colors because flowers they eat nectar from are often bright," explains Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention in Charlotte, NC. "As a result, a brightly colored hummingbird feeder attracts bees because they might simply confuse it with a flower."

How to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders Safely

The best way to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders is to discourage them without putting hummingbirds-or helpful pollinators-at risk. That way you can stil attract hummingbirds to your backyard, but without inviting insects too.

So how do you do that successfully? Below experts weigh in on a few of the most common deterrent measures to determine which ones have merit and which ones don't.

Use a Bee-Proof Hummingbird Feeder or Ant Moat

One of the easiest ways for bird watchers to keep bees off a hummingbird feeder is choosing the right feeder design. After all, not all hummingbird feeders are alike. There are "bee-proof" hummingbird feeder designs with guards that store the nectar too deep for bees to access, yet not so deep that hummingbirds can't reach it. According to our experts, these designs are actually pretty effective!

"A honeybee tongue is like straw, and it's called a proboscis," says Mortimer. "They stick their straw-tongues into flowers and suck up the nectar. Bee guards on feeders create distance so bees can't reach the syrup with their proboscis, but hummingbirds, which have longer tongues, can still easily feed. So even though bees can still smell the syrup, if they can't get to it, they won't be hanging around for long."

A reliable "insect-proof" feeder should do more than merely keep out bees, though. According to Carpenter, many of these feeders come with "ant moats," which prevent sugar-hungry ants from invading as well: "An ant moat is a physical barrier that makes it hard for bees to crawl to the feeder to eat sugary water, but it doesn't make things harder or unsafe for hummingbirds if you use water."

Move or Adjust Feeder Placement

If you're a bird lover and you see that bees are repeatedly returning to the same hummingbird feeder location, moving it slightly may interrupt their routine. According to Carpenter, this method does have some merit: "Moving the feeder even 3 feet away from the previous place can really help because bees tend to keep checking the old feeding place for quite a long time, and they are less flexible in terms of relocation."

However, although this method might work for a while, it's not the most reliable deterrent method in the long term. As Mortimer notes, honeybees regularly forage over a three-mile radius. While moving the feeder around a few feet within that broad range may throw them off initially, it won't take them too long to adjust their habits and find it again. In short, there's no harm in trying it, but it's probably not the method that you should solely rely on.

Choose the Right Hummingbird Feeder Color to Discourage Bees

What colors attract bees to hummingbird feeders? According to Carpenter, you want to steer clear of most bright colors, especially orange and yellow, as these are the ones that bees are most likely think its a plant. Ironically, though, you're good to go with the classic bright red, as red sits outside of the bees' visible spectrum! It's also a plus for the hummingbirds, says Carpenter: "What makes it even better is that it's safe for bees and even more helpful for hummingbirds, as they are strongly attracted to red."

Change the Nectar Recipe to Reduce Bee Activity

While changing your hummingbird nectar recipe may seem like an easy way to discourage bees, experts say this strategy won't solve the problem. They do recommend switching to a different (ideally homemade) recipe though if you're using dyed, store-bought, ultra-processed hummingbird nectar because the dyes and preservatives can be harmful to the hummingbirds. However, there sadly isn't a special nectar formula or sugar/water ratio that will appeal to hummingbirds but not to bees.

"The safest solution is just 4 parts of plain water mixed with 1 part of white sugar-no honey, no sweeteners, no oils, no brown sugar or repellents," Carpenter recommends. "Adding less sugar won't be a good solution, because this is how you make it less attractive to bees but also useless for hummingbirds."

Clean Up Spills and Leaks

Keeping your feeder clean and free of leaks is one of the simplest ways to avoid drawing in bees, as the fewer spills and leaks there are, the harder it is for bees to detect.

"By eliminating spills, bees cannot get a quick meal," adds Mortimer. "Even more importantly, they won't be able to tell their 'friends' where they can get some free food. Honeybees give directions to food sources to their hive mates through the waggle dance. So, the issue with spilling sugary syrup is that before you know it, that one bee and a few hundred of its fellow foragers are all looking for a free handout."

Are Bees Harmful to Hummingbirds at Feeders?

Seeing bees around a hummingbird feeder can be alarming, but in most cases they are competing for food rather than posing a direct threat. Therefore, bees usually aren't trying to harm hummingbirds. The main issue is competition: when too many bees gather around a feeder, they can make it harder for your cute feathered friends to access the nectar they're looking for.

While it may be tempting to remove bees entirely, it's important to remember that they are valuable pollinators. The goal is to make your feeder less appealing to bees while keeping it safe and accessible for hummingbirds.

Simple steps like using bee guards, cleaning up spills, and choosing the right feeder placement can help create a more balanced feeding space for both hummingbirds and beneficial insects.

What Not to Do When Trying to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders

Some popular online suggestions for repelling bees can actually create new problems for hummingbirds and other backyard wildlife. When bees start gathering around a hummingbird feeder, it can be tempting to try quick fixes, but some methods can do more harm than good. Avoid using pesticides, insect sprays, essential oils, or other chemical deterrents near feeders, as these can put hummingbirds and other wildlife at risk.

You should also skip adding ingredients like honey, artificial sweeteners, or repellents to hummingbird nectar. These substances won't solve the bee problem and can be harmful to hummingbirds. Instead, stick with safe, proven methods like keeping feeders clean, reducing spills, and using feeder designs that help limit bee access.

The goal isn't to eliminate bees from your yard, it's to create a feeding area where hummingbirds can enjoy nectar without attracting an overwhelming number of unwanted visitors.

The Simplest Way to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders

While there are plenty of tips and tricks for discouraging bees, experts say the most effective approach comes down to two simple steps. Rather than trying to eliminate bees completely, focus on making your feeder less accessible while keeping it safe for hummingbirds:

• Thoroughly clean up any spills and syrup on the outside of your feeders
• Choose hummingbird feeders that are equipped with built-in bee guards

Sources:

• Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention
• Frank Mortimer, author of Bee People and the Bugs They Love
• NC State University

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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 6:10 AM.