When Bees Hijack the Hummingbird Feeder: Understanding the Mid-Summer "Nectar Dearth"
By Marge Farrington | Published 2026-07-27T14:47:23.735Z
Outdoors
WNC Outdoors -- July 27, 2026: If you’ve stepped out onto your porch or into your garden in Western North Carolina recently to check on your hummingbird feeder, you might have noticed some uninvited guests: bees. Dozens of them, swarming the red plastic ports, jostling with the hummingbirds, and leaving many outdoor enthusiasts wondering what on earth is going on.
WNC Outdoors -- July 27, 2026: If you’ve stepped out onto your porch or into your garden in Western North Carolina recently to check on your hummingbird feeder, you might have noticed some uninvited guests: bees. Dozens of them, swarming the red plastic ports, jostling with the hummingbirds, and leaving many outdoor enthusiasts wondering what on earth is going on.Are the bees just getting a sweet treat? Is sugar water actually good for them? And why are they suddenly swarming feeders now when th