Fwd: [Maine-birds] Bees on feeders

Fwd: an article reference that Marion forwarded to me.

Interesting.

Marie

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Marion Sprague <marion.sprague@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 1, 2018, 13:46
Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Bees on feeders
To: Marie Jordan <wooddk5555@gmail.com>

Hi Marie,

I found an article explaining it on the Michigan State University Extension website:

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/hungry_honey_bees_visiting_bird_feeders 

The article mentions cracked corn being a source of dust particle and yeast that they can eat.  In late summer the bees flock to my jelly feeders for the orioles.  

 A tray with some cracked corn and jelly might keep them out of your tube feeder.  I noticed the red buds on my maple today so hopefully they will have some pollen soon.

Regards,

Marion

On Mar 1, 2018 1:24 PM, "Marie Jordan" <wooddk5555@gmail.com> wrote:

I can not find the earlier post someone made about on bees on feeders, but when I looked out this noon I noticed bees around all my feeders - both the tube feeder and the open shelf feeders. 

No problem on the open ones but the  bees were entering the tube feeder, making their way to the top and getting caught up there with not escape hatch!  They do not know  how to drop down to the opening where they entered in order to escape.  I released them but many came right back and made their way to the top again. 

Is anyone else experiencing this issue ?

Maybe lack of flowers and the warm weather could  be what is attaching the bees to the feeders.  

Unfortunately, because  if not attended frequently to release the bees I am sure some will die.

I do  not recall this happening in the past. 

Any suggestions on how to save the bees other than attending the feeders during the day every hour or so?

Picture of tube feeder and close up (fuzzy) beeon open one.  I do not know my bee species - maybe some one does. 

My  husband put that tube feeder up recently without taking the label off and I have not gotten around to doing it!  ;-(  

Marie 

See photos on flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55woodduck/

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