Is Tea Tree Oil Safe for Hummingbirds? Well, tea tree oil will deter flying insects like honeybees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and others from your hummingbird feeders which would be quite beneficial. In fact, all types of insects can be repelled by this oil as it is quite effective. This is because most of these tiny creatures detest the stench and will therefore avoid being around it.
By simply applying a thin layer of oil to each feeding station, you wouldn’t have to worry about unwanted invasions. The best part is that they will eventually leave because of the tea tree oil smell and your hummingbirds can enjoy their nectar without disturbances.
Alternatively, you could also use a thin layer of other vegetable oils on the surface of the hummingbird feeder as a temporary fix. Bees can be effectively discouraged by this when they come in search of sugar water. Learn about hummingbird bee repellents and more in the information below.
Bee Repellent Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird nectar is a well-known favorite of bees which can turn into a problem if they begin to appear in large groups. Fortunately, you have a few options. However, if you want them to leave, you must learn how to prevent bees from approaching the feeders. This is where the hummingbird bee repellent will be of great help.
I have often been asked, “is tea tree oil safe for hummingbirds?” Aside from that, I have listed a few essential suggestions below that you may find useful. Giving the bees better options to keep them away from the feeders is highly recommended.
Suggestions to Keep Bees Away From Hummingbird Feeders:
- To begin with, you should always check for holes in the wood.
- Spray wasp nests using long-range wasp and hornet spray.
- Most bees will leave hummingbird feeders alone if they have access to other, more convenient food sources.
- Plant flowers like lilacs, lavender, sunflowers, goldenrod, crocus, roses, and snapdragons that will draw bees away from the hummingbird feeders.
- Add a bowl of sugar water that is placed away from the bird feeder for the bees.
- Ensure that your hummingbird feeder is not in color as this is one of the biggest attractions to bees.
Learn more about keeping hummingbirds and seed feeders clean by clicking on this informative link.
What Essential Oils Keep Bees Away
Although the ecosystem needs bees, wasps, and other insects to function correctly, they can sometimes be a bother to the hummingbirds that visit your yard. You can use a variety of essential oils to safely and successfully ward them off.
Therefore, many want to know, ‘is tea tree oil safe for hummingbirds?’. The answer, of course, is yes, as it is quite safe to use! To effectively use these oils, you should combine a few drops with water and a little amount of dish soap. Listed below are a few methods you can use to keep bees away.
1. Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is a major ingredient in many insect repellents, and it also effectively deters bees. It’s an extract made from the Cymbopogon grass that grows in Asia. The main drawback of citronella oil as a bee repellent is that you might have to apply it more frequently than other essential oils. You can use citronella oil by diluting it and dipping cotton balls in it, or you can purchase an essential oil-based bee repellent.
2. Clove Oil
Clove oil works well to deter insects, including bees. Use a plastic spray bottle to apply the oil to your hummingbird feeder after diluting it with water. Aside from the delicate aroma, it gives off, your birds will be able to enjoy their feeders without disturbances from insects. Ensure that you make use of an all-natural clove oil for this purpose.
3. Peppermint Oil
One of the numerous plants that bees will try to avoid is peppermint. However, in larger regions, it doesn’t function effectively since the aroma spreads too widely. You can use peppermint essential oil to keep bees away from particular areas of your yard, including your hummingbird feeder. Dip pieces of cotton in peppermint oil and then scatter them in locations where you want bees to stay away for effective use.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil can repel bees, but it doesn’t work as well if you’re not applying it directly. This effective oil has many uses and is an efficient bee deterrent. Although you can use any eucalyptus oil available, the preferred type would be the USDA organic-certified one.
5. Geranium Oil
The Pelargonium graveolens plant’s leaves are used to make geranium essential oil. Although it is a native plant to South Africa, geranium oil is widely used as a bee deterrent around the world. When applying this essential oil as a bee deterrent in your hummingbird feeder, you only need a cotton ball to rub a tiny layer of this powerful substance on the surface.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree essential oil is arguably the most subdued of all the essential oils we’ve shared with you. Although it doesn’t have a strong aroma, it can nevertheless be effective in keeping bees away from your hummingbird feeder and other regions. The good news is that tea tree oil also functions naturally as a fungicide.
What Scents Keep Bees Away
A good way to keep bees at bay is to use oils are other stuff you already have. As a result, consistency is key when trying to ward off any pest, so don’t give up until the problem starts to go away. We have answered the question, is tree oil safe for hummingbirds, let’s find out what scents keep bees away below.
– Cinnamon – Since cinnamon is a common spice in kitchens, it is simple to pick up and use as a bee repellent. A sprinkle or a few cinnamon sticks placed in areas where there are bees will prove effective.
– Cayenne Pepper – If you enjoy spicy food, you are likely aware of the cayenne pepper’s pungent aroma. It performs a fantastic job of deterring bees. Sprinkle it in the locations where you have spotted bees to deter them. Given that birds cannot taste the spice, this is actually a very effective approach to utilize if bees and wasps are present near your bird feeders.
– Citrus Scents – By slicing up lemons or limes, you can aid in preventing bees from entering your backyard. Bees fear lemon and lime juice because of their strong aroma.
– Garlic – Garlic works well in keeping bees because they dislike the pungent smell. Therefore all it takes to keep them away from your yard is to sprinkle some garlic powder on the ground.
– Smoke – Smoke is a non-toxic substance that effectively scares off bees without harming them. You can light up a small fire to spread the smoke around the affected area.
– Distilled Vinegar – Bee deterrence is one of the many hummingbird feeder problems that vinegar solves admirably. Grab a spray bottle, fill it with one part vinegar and four parts water and spritz the affected areas. Because vinegar is poisonous to bees, you should dilute it with water to make the spray less effective.
Bee Proof Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird feeders are typically rather affordable, and there are lots of alternatives for bee-proof ones. In order to prevent these insects from passing through, some feeders have tiny flowers on them. Listed below are a few bee-resistant hummingbird feeder options for you to consider.
Bee Proof Bird Feeders:
- Bees cannot feed on the nectar in the bottom saucer of First Nature hummingbird feeders because it is at a lower level. However, you must make sure it’s dry and drip-free.
- The Juegoal 12 oz hanging hummingbird feeder is another excellent choice to deter bees. This is because the design prevents them from accessing the nectar because it is red in color which bees are not attracted to.
- Many individuals have found success using the Aspects 367 Hummzinger Ultra Hummingbird Feeder to keep bees at bay. It is also easy to disassemble for fast cleaning and is drip and leakproof.
These are some of the feeders that caught our attention due to consumer reviews. However, keep in mind that care and maintenance, which includes cleaning them regularly is essential for them to work effectively.
Conclusion
In order to prevent giving any unwanted bugs more of an invitation to come feast, make sure your hummingbird feeder does not drop nectar. Also, the bees may become confused if you shift the feeder from one side to the other from time to time. However, the disadvantage of this is that you could also confuse the hummingbirds.
Although we are aware of the importance of bees in our ecosystem, if they establish a nest close to your home, they may become a nuisance to your feathery friends. This is especially true if you have one or more bird feeders placed around your yard. However, you can use the advice above to successfully deter them.
Remember that any strategy you choose must be maintained since consistency is essential. Whichever route you take, it’s crucial to make sure there are no bee attractants in your home.
Find out about homemade hummingbird nectar using essential oils in this video.