Is anyone else having problems with yellow jackets, etc. on the hummingbird feeders? This is what I read about: Give them a hint of mint. Mint is a natural toxin to yellow jackets. Clean your hummingbird feeder and swab mint extract on the feeder. The mint will not harm or repel hummingbirds and it will act as both a deterrent and a poison to yellow jackets. I am not sure where to find the mint or if it works. also... they are attracted to the color yellow...well why in the world would they put yellow on the feeders? They said to paint the feeders red and get rid of the color yellow. But they didn't say what paint wouldn't be toxic or harm the hummingbirds...if anyone knows, please share. Please share all your ideas and tips here...
You can find peppermint extract in the baking aisle of the grocery store. You might find hummingbird feeders that don't have yellow on them, none of mine do.
I have never bought peppermint because I don't like the taste of any mint...thank you Toni :-D I did run over to wild bird and backyard store in Appleton and they had replacement parts for my hummingbird/Oriole feeder. So right now I don't have any yellow on my feeder, just orange. This will be a good test to see if they know what they are talking about. The had the perches in orange and the bee guards (which the bees pushed in before) are now orange instead of both being yellow. I do hope this works. :-D
Citronella oil keeps nasty insects away too Sherry. I doubt if it would stop the hummingbirds coming to your feeders so maybe it's something to keep in mind.
For some mysterious reason....they seem to have left. I think it was now they can't get into the Oriole feeder and I put up a different hummingbird feeder. It has been so nice not to have them flying at you all the time. I bought a new Oriole feeder and they can't push the little hole blockers as easily as the other feeder. It was only a cheap feeder from Fleet Farm. :-D
