How to keep the bees away and out of my oriole feeder....10 points to best!?

Question

Hi, so I am 15 and I love bird feeding, I personally think it is really cool. I am soon getting ready to put out my oriole feeder again. I've never had an oriole at it yet, probably because of the 10's of dead drowned bees that climb in. I have the perky pet oriole feeder, and as you know it is like a hummingbird feeder except the holes are bigger because obviously the orioles are bigger than the hummingbirds and need a bigger hole to put their beaks in. This also allows the bees to get into the feeder itself and drown in the nectar. How can I keep bees away from the feeder, what could put out or put near the feeder to keep them away? Thanks...

Answer 1

It seems that your mixture is too strong & is probably fermenting hence the bees drowning. It is not a good idea to use honey in the mix because it can spread diseases round the beehive industry.

Try sugar & water with a drop of pentavite in it. This provides essential nutrients ( used for infants) that sugar doesnt have.

Answer 2

Oriole Jelly Feeder

Answer 3

I have the same problem, so I called our local bird supply store where I bought the Oriole feeders. Unfortunately they don't make a "bee guard" for the ports on these feeders. However, the store rep said to dip a Q-tip in "vegetable oil" and brush it around the port, bees don't like vegetable oil. It works great. So, I thought if it works around the port, I decided to use a basting brush and brush some in the jelly cups then on top of the jelly. It works, bees do not like vegetable oil. The only draw back is that once the Orioles have eaten the top surface of the jelly, the bees are back at it. The good part is, there's not much jelly left for them, and I don't have ANY bees drowning in the nectar. Try it!

Answer 4

None of the above! I have the same problem with oriole feeders, jelly and sugar water and it is soooooooo frustrating. We need bees, but I love the orioles, too. Had to take down the feeders that the orioles and I loved and put out an orange plate with slices of oranges, cut up purple grapes and a small dish of jelly that I have to remove as soon as it warms up enough to attract the bees.

Answer 5

You should go to Home Depot, Home Hardware, or any Garden/Home locations. They will give you all kinds of ideas, or maybe, you will find exactly what you are looking for! E.g. Bee away [bee spray away], Bee catcher [surrounding bee catcher around bird feeder, so when the bees are coming, they will get trapped, so they won't go in the feeder]. If you are looking for the best deal, go to your local Walmart. They will have amazing prices, and probably what you are looking for! Hope it helps!

Answer 6

go to the regular wild bird seed, orioles like seed , im not so sure if this is a healthy eating habit for o's they love the feeder i have of seed