My neighbor has a few beehives so naturally, we have a few bees around. His hives are a couple hundred yards away.
I understand the benefits that bees provide but when they discover our hummingbird feeder it’s a battle for the little hummers.
Is there any solution other than taking the feeder down for a while until the bees move on?
Any pherome sprays or similar that deters them?
I forgot to mention that the neighbor with the bees gave us a hummingbird feeder that is supposed to be bee proof ( language is humorous sometimes).
It will keep them from reaching the liquid but doesn’t stop them from trying.

__________________
“Look life in its iron face”

I guess you are looking for specific answers or experience and I don't have those but if you google "Keep Honey Bees From Humming Bird Feeders" you'll get a bunch of info.
I just don't know if any of it works.
I have read they hate moth balls.
Good luck.

Giant Asian Killer Hornets.

I even kind of feel sorry for the Africanized Killer Bees.

__________________
Dum vivo cano

Do the bees bother the hummingbirds? I’m thinking if they can’t get at the sugar water, and they don’t bother the humming birds, maybe just leave them to it?

Honey bees are pretty non aggressive towards people who leave them alone, so it seems probable they won’t bother you or your family.

I’ve seen humming birds battle each other over the sugar so maybe battling the bees is just something they do, and not a big problem for them?

They go after the birds sometimes. It will run its wings to blow them away but if there are a bunch of bees, it doesn’t work too well.
I’ve read that removing the feeder for a few days forces the bees to look elsewhere for food and hopefully find a different source.
Being so close I don’t think that will work for long.
Maybe the mothball trick will work, thanks!
Onomea, you may be right. It’s just nature so let it take its course.
But then, I’ve already intervened by placing the feeder there.
If the mothballs don’t work I think they’ll just be on their own.

__________________
“Look life in its iron face”

Hummers are one of the most aggressive birds for their size! They go ballistic,
Bees and Hummers must coexist elsewhere in nature, Gardens, wild flowers whatever. My bet is the Hummer over a Honey bee any day!

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

Wow! Great photo! Thank you for sharing.

__________________
Expect the unexpected

my neice keeps a few hives, maybe put a "bee feeder" closer to the bees

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Not mine Appropriated from the Web.

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

Reminds me of a Me109 after a B17

__________________
“Look life in its iron face”

Whatever you do, please bee careful.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

But you shared it. That's what counts.

__________________
Expect the unexpected

Put up a “NO BEES ALLOWED” sign. Simple!

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

Sounds like a good plan.

__________________
Expect the unexpected

No one needs high capacity bee hives!

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Fun to watch,

__________________
Dum vivo cano

Amazing little creatures

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I have to carry Eppy pens with me when ever I'm out doors as a single bee sting becomes a life threatening event. If I had a neighbor with bee's, I'd move. Yeah I know, we need em' but I still hate em'

When I get stung by a bee my back feels better the next day.

Bee sting therapy is true.

Bee sting therapy for osteoarthritis joint pain may go mainstream - CBS News

__________________
Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

Try a Remington 870. It might a little overkill. Just a thought.

We have the humming bird feeders with the narrow slots... we occasionally draw bees but they can't get the sugar water. I think I would place a feeder the bees can get in closer to the hives... I don't know that moving the hives would help much, bees are so mobile.
We put out more feeders as our bird count goes up...
You neighbor should buy your sugar!

__________________
NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

He bought the bee proof feeder, but they still try bless their hearts.
I’m just going to let nature take its course here.
It will all work out without my help.

__________________
“Look life in its iron face”

Honeybees will usually fly to the closest nectar source first. Especially during a dearth of flower bloom they'll visit any source of sweetness which happened to be the hummingbird feeder. I wouldn't discourage that. Take them down for awhile if it bothers you or if someone is allergic to stings. If I catch a weak swarm I'll feed them 1-1 sugar/water for a boost. They'll easily take in a gallon in 3 days. Been a beekeeper for 50 years.
Dave

Danant & Sons bee keeping supplies has been in my town since the 1880s. I have had back trouble for about 5 years. About 2 years ago one stung the back of my left hand. The next day my back felt ok but I never related it to the sting. It happened again and the pain went away again. After the 3 time the next year I am a believer.

GET A NEW LAW WRITTEN to prevent bees from burglarizing hummingbird feeder. Or maybe it would be more effective just to arm the birds. They have six legs, a couple of them could handle a tiny pump shotgun.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I remember from some years ago, here on the forum, one of our members posted a fascinating comment about being a beekeeper and communing with bees. The comment has stuck with me because it had never occurred to me that a human could somehow communicate with a swarm of bees... Was that you, Dave? Do you commune with your bees?

I had a feeder at our old house and was outside reading. I kept hearing this soft chirp. I looked up and saw a hummer at the feeder. What amazed me was he would leave the feeder and fly directly at me and over my head about 2 feet and make a LH turn into the woods. When he returned he would fly over my head and the make a RH turn to the feeder. Probably 10-12' out of his way. It was almost like he was saying "I'm not afraid of you and you can't catch me!"

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I have mentioned honeybees before on here, even offered a Honey Karma, but i don't remember using the word "commune".
I always greet them with "Hello ladies, I'm coming in", but they still sting me once in awhile.

To bee or not to bee, that is the hummingbird question!

__________________
14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Depending on the feeder, they can really be a pain.

Attached Images

BeesHummerFeeder.jpg (89.7 KB, 10 views)

They are REGULAR capacity bee hives, the others are REDUCED capacity bee hives. We must correct ignorance and misconceptions where and when we can.