Jelly oriole feeders provide a delightful way to attract beautiful birds to your yard. However, bees can sometimes become a nuisance as they compete with the orioles for the tasty jelly or nectar. There are several effective methods to deter bees and allow the orioles to feed in peace.
Why Bees Are Attracted to Oriole Feeders
Bees, especially honey bees, are strongly attracted to sugar. The jelly or nectar that you put in an oriole feeder contains sugars that appeal to a bee’s taste buds. Bees also have an excellent sense of smell and can detect sweet food sources from far away. An active bee hive within a few miles of your home can quickly locate and recruit dozens or even hundreds of worker bees to exploit a rich food source such as an oriole feeder.
Once a handful of scout bees find the feeder and return to the hive, they communicate the location to the other worker bees through their waggle dance. This sophisticated form of communication allows the bees to pinpoint the feeder’s location and distance from the hive. Within hours, your feeder may be overwhelmed by hungry bees.
Problems Caused by Bees at Oriole Feeders
An overabundance of bees at oriole feeders can cause several issues:
- Bees intimidate and scare away orioles – The loud buzzing and presence of stinging insects frightens many birds away from the feeder.
- Bees consume the jelly/nectar quickly – Dozens of bees can deplete the food source within hours, leaving nothing for the orioles.
- Bee stings are a risk – Aggressive behavior from bees trying to protect the food resource can lead to stings.
- Bees transmit diseases – Bees may carry diseases or parasites transmissible to birds through contact with the jelly/nectar.
For these reasons, most backyard birders seek ways to make their oriole feeding stations bee-proof and reserved for bird usage only.
Methods to Deter Bees from Oriole Feeders
Here are some of the most effective methods to discourage bees from partaking at jelly/nectar feeders intended for orioles:
Use feeders with short perches or none at all
Orioles have no problem feeding while hovering. Meanwhile, bees need to land on a surface to access the food. Choose feeders designed specifically for orioles that feature short perches or no perches at all. This allows the orioles to feed while flying but prevents the bees from being able to land and feed.
Employ feeders with bee guards
Many commercial oriole feeders now come equipped with specialized “bee guards.” These are ring-shaped disks with slots or holes that surround the feeding ports. The openings are wide enough for an oriole’s beak to reach the jelly/nectar but too narrow for a bee to squeeze through.
Use feeding jars or bottles with small holes
You can make your own feeder from a glass jar or plastic bottle. Punch or drill small holes about 1/2 inch in diameter around the sides of the container near the bottom. Fill it with jelly/nectar. The holes are accessible by orioles but exclude the bees.
Place feeders in shady spots
Bees tend to prefer feeding in sunny locations. Situate your feeder in a shaded area to make it less attractive to bees. However, make sure it is still visible and accessible to orioles.
Apply cooking oil around feeder holes
Coat the outside surface around the feeding ports with a light layer of cooking oil. The oil causes the bees to slip and become disoriented when they try to land. The oil has no effect on the hovering birds.
Use feeders with moats of water
Some commercial feeders feature a water-filled moat below the jelly/nectar ports. The bee lands on the water when approaching the feeder and is unable to reach the feeding sites. The water does not impede the hovering oriole.
Rinse feeders daily
Bees are attracted to the scent of the jelly/nectar as much as the taste. Wash and rinse your feeder thoroughly each day to remove residual traces that attract bees.
Move feeders farther away from hives
If you know the locations of bee hives near your home, situate your feeder at least several hundred feet away. This makes it harder for the bees to detect it.
Use thinned jelly instead of nectar
Thick grape or strawberry jelly holds less appeal for bees than liquid nectars do. Dilute jelly with an equal amount of water and fill your feeder. The thinner consistency is preferred by orioles over bees.
Add hot pepper powder
Mix a small amount of cayenne or chili powder into the jelly/nectar. The spicy taste does not deter orioles but bees avoid the heat. Start with 1/8 teaspoon per cup of food and increase slowly if needed.
Apply Vicks VapoRub
The strong menthol smell of Vicks VapoRub repels bees. Dab a little around the feeder ports or perches. Be careful not to get any in the jelly/nectar.
Summary Comparison of Bee Deterrent Methods
| Method | Effectiveness | Cost | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| No/short perches | High | Low if built into feeder design, medium if altering existing feeder | High, no daily maintenance needed |
| Bee guards | High | Low if built into feeder design, high if purchased separately | High, no daily maintenance needed |
| Small holes in jar/bottle | Medium | Low | Medium, periodic jelly/nectar refills needed |
| Shady location | Medium | Free | High |
As the table shows, feeder design features like no perches and bee guards tend to be the most effective and convenient solutions. Purchasing a purpose-built oriole feeder with these features is a smart investment to deter bees. DIY methods like small holes or oil application can work but require more frequent maintenance. For the greatest success, utilize multiple deterrent strategies together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will orange feeders help repel bees?
No, the color of the feeder has no impact on bees. They do not see color the way humans do. Orange feeders are designed to be more visible and attractive to orioles, not to repel bees.
What time of day are bees most active at feeders?
Bees feed most actively in the warmest part of the day, typically from late morning through late afternoon. Bee activity is reduced in cool temperatures and after dark. Put out fresh jelly/nectar in the early morning or evening when fewer bees are foraging.
Will eating hot pepper harm orioles?
No. Birds do not experience sensitivity to capsaicin, the chemical that gives peppers their heat and sting. A small amount of hot pepper mixed into the jelly/nectar will not cause any issues for orioles but keeps bees away.
Do bees ever sting birds at feeders?
Yes, in rare cases bees may sting birds near the face or eyes if they try to feed directly alongside bees. That’s why various deterrents are important to minimize close contact between bees and birds.
How often should I clean my oriole feeder?
For both sanitary reasons and to reduce residual food odors that attract bees, jelly/nectar feeders should be cleaned at minimum every 2-3 days. Wash with a mild soap and water solution, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry before refilling.
Conclusion
Enjoying an oriole feeder without being overrun by bees is totally possible with smart deterrent strategies. Purchase feeders designed to exclude bees, situate them in shady spots far from hives, and experiment with various DIY remedies. With some trial and error, you’ll find the right solutions for your unique yard and bee situation. The beautiful sight of orioles feeding peacefully will make it worth the effort.
