Vicks VapoRub may deter bees from a hummingbird feeder, but it poses serious risks to the hummingbirds themselves and should not be used. The idea relies on the myth that birds can’t smell, so bees would be repelled by the menthol while hummingbirds wouldn’t notice. That premise is flawed, and the bigger problem is what Vicks does to hummingbird feathers.
Why Vicks Is Dangerous for Hummingbirds
Vicks VapoRub is a petroleum-based product. When applied to the base or ports of a feeder, it creates a sticky, oily surface that hummingbirds brush against as they feed. The petrolatum and plant oils coat their extremely delicate feathers and wings, weighing them down and making them sticky. A hummingbird that picks up petroleum residue on its wings may struggle to fly normally or, in a worst case, be unable to take off at all.
The damage goes beyond flight. Hummingbirds rely on their feathers for insulation and body temperature regulation. Oil-coated feathers lose their insulating properties, which can be life-threatening for a bird with one of the highest metabolic rates in the animal kingdom. Petroleum jelly and similar sticky substances also make it harder for hummingbirds to groom themselves, compounding the problem over time.
Feeder Style Makes the Biggest Difference
The single most effective change you can make is switching to a saucer-style (dish) feeder. In these feeders, the nectar sits in a dish below the feeding ports rather than in an inverted bottle above them. Bees and wasps have short tongues and simply can’t reach the liquid through the ports. Hummingbirds, with their long tongues, have no trouble. As the nectar level drops throughout the day, the gap between the surface and the ports grows even larger, making it progressively harder for insects to access.
If you prefer a traditional bottle-style feeder, add nectar guard tips to the ports. These are small mesh or flexible covers that let a hummingbird’s tongue pass through but block insects. Replacement bee guards are widely available and fit most glass bottle feeders.
Move Your Feeder a Few Feet
Relocating a feeder by as little as 3 to 4 feet can throw bees off the trail. Insects tend to return to the exact spot where they found food, and even a small shift is enough to confuse them. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, will actively search the surrounding area for a feeder they’ve visited before and find it quickly. You don’t need to move it across the yard. Just a few feet every few days during heavy bee activity works well.
Hang Feeders in the Shade
Bees prefer to forage in full sunlight. Hanging your feeder in a shaded spot makes it less visible and less attractive to bees while still being perfectly usable for hummingbirds. Shade has a bonus benefit: it slows fermentation of the sugar water, so the nectar stays fresh longer between refills.
Keep the Feeder Clean and Drip-Free
Spilled or dripping sugar water on the outside of a feeder is one of the biggest bee magnets. Bees can detect even trace amounts of sweetness on surfaces. Wipe down the exterior every time you refill, and check for leaks around the ports and seals. Bottle-style feeders are more prone to dripping when air pressure changes with temperature, which is another reason saucer feeders tend to attract fewer insects.
Stick to the standard nectar ratio of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Stronger concentrations make the nectar more attractive to bees without offering hummingbirds any nutritional advantage.
Give Bees an Alternative
If bees are persistent, try setting out a very shallow dish of sugar water well away from your feeders. This gives the bees an easy food source and draws them away from the hummingbird station. Planting nectar-rich flowers nearby serves the same purpose. Bees will naturally gravitate toward real flowers when they’re available, and you get the added benefit of supporting pollinators.
Deal With Wasps Separately
Wasps are more aggressive around feeders than honeybees and require a slightly different approach. Remove any active wasp nests near your feeding area first. Then hang a fake wasp nest in a protected spot nearby. Wasps are territorial and generally avoid areas they believe are already claimed by another colony. This won’t work on bees, but it’s effective at reducing wasp visits specifically.
Between choosing a saucer feeder, relocating it periodically, and keeping the exterior clean, most people can reduce bee traffic dramatically without resorting to any chemical product. These methods protect both the hummingbirds and the bees, which are valuable pollinators in their own right.