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I enjoy humming birds, and have purchased a humming bird feeder. I filled it with red nectar, but have attracted a large number of small black winged bugs, that drink the nectar, and scare away the hummingbirds. Does anyone one know what these bugs are, and how to deal with them?
[quote=”xxyzzz”]I enjoy humming birds, and have purchased a humming bird feeder. I filled it with red nectar, but have attracted a large number of small black winged bugs, that drink the nectar, and scare away the hummingbirds. Does anyone one know what these bugs are, and how to deal with them?[/quote]
It would help to have a photo of the bugs to assist in identifying them.
There is a picture function above the text entry area that will allow this.
By the way, even though many manufacturers sell the colored sugar mix, most humming bird experts would recommend that you do NOT use it…
1 part white sugar and 4 parts water is all you need … We get through 20 kilos of sugar a week…
Scott
20 kilos of sugar a week????? that’s 50 pounds! how many hummingbirds are you feeding???
i make my own syrup as well and every morning i have a half dozen or more hummers fighting for a taste. the black flying things are often stingless black bees.
We have about 14 feeders – including 4 Jawrite feeders that hold one gallon of solution each – and often have a total of 25 feeders on them at any one time …
They’re our entertainment when we’re up at the mountain.
See the Jawrite feeders at: [ http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270783089821 ]
that is amazing, Scott. but you are right; it’s entertainment. i get up at 5:30, open the drapes in the bedroom, grab a cup of cafe, go back to bed and watch the hummers for a half hour! those little buggers can get vicious! there is always one who wants the feeder to himself!
I agree with Scott, do not use red dye! Make sure the ‘liquid’ in your feeder is changed at least every other day.
We have 12 varieties of hummers that visit our garden throughout the year, without using feeders.
BTW, the seeds I bring in or plant are mostly for the hummingbirds!
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