Hi Lance, 

Well, we have at least two species of Bumblebees and also, several native solitary bee species which also visit our hummingbird feeders. And whether you care about honeybees or not (they are as you say, non-native) they are not necessarily in trouble because of poor bee-keeping. Bumblebees are also in serious decline as are many other native bees, whether due to disease or pesticides or a combination of factors, is yet unknown. The ecological role of these bees is far more important than keeping ants and wasps away from (also non-natural) feeders. Also, permethrin may or may not be something that hummers should be exposed to -- I would like to see a published study as to whether these plastic guards can release or leach pesticide, for example. 

We keep ants away from feeders by the very simple precaution of putting an 1-2"-long  layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the wire from which the feeder is suspended, and as I noted in my earler post, we do not appear to have an exceptional problem with wasps for some reason. The non-pesticide "bee guards" can help with these insects, as well.

We also have a fairly good "hummer, butterfly and bee" garden with lots of native and some non-native plants, the hummer favourites are the blue Salvia (same type as ones at Smithsonian) and the native Trumpet Vine. Bees seem to prefer the lantana and also, the various asters etc. This may be providing the insects with alternatives to visiting the feeder.

We have a nice colony of soil-dwelling solitary bees (which may nest somewhat communally, despite their name) in the garden. They look superficially like honeybees but are darker and thicker in body, and they visit the hummer feeders.

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD



 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: lance biechele <>
> Hi Gail,
>    I have NEVER seen a bumblebee at any of my hummer
> feeders.  As for the honey bees - they are also another 
> nonnative species anyway that have their own troubles 
> because of careless beekeeping techniques.
>    You are not going to get rid of yellow jackets or hornets
> without good offensive fighting tools that are perfectly
> harmless to the invited guests.
> With best wishes,
> Lance
> --- On Fri, 8/8/08, Gail B. Mackiernan <> 
> <> wrote:
> 
> From: Gail B. Mackiernan <> <>
> Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] hummingbirds vs wasps
> To: 
> Date: Friday, August 8, 2008, 7:25 PM
> 
> While these insecticide-containing guards protect against ants and wasps, they
> also kill honeybees and bumblebees (as well as other native bees) which might
> visit the feeder -- & all of these bees are in big trouble! So no sure if
> this is really a environmentally-sound solution.
> 
> We have had little trouble with our two feeders this year since we also have a
> lot of flowers in bloom as well as fallen fruit from apples and cherries --
> maybe the wasps prefer these?
> 
> Our major hassle is a sudden increase in hummingbirds (which are starting to
> migrate) and one-two very aggressive individuals which try and dominate the
> whole area. "Share" is NOT a word in the hummer vocabulary!
> 
> Gail Mackiernan
> Colesvile, MD
> 
>  -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: lance biechele <>
> > Hi Kathy,
> >    You may want to try "Perky Pet" AntGuards.  They contain
> > the insecticide Permethin which should be effective in repelling
> > wasps.  
> >    I have hust started to use them this year with grand results!
> > Hope this helps,
> > Lance
> > 
> > 
> >       
> > 
> 
> 
> 
>       
>