[TN-Bird] Re: What to do about yellow jackets?

Ann and everyone.  A warning about your advice on preventing bees
at hummer feeders.  I personally would strongly discourage use
of petroleum jelly products (Vasoline, Vapor Rub, etc.) around
hummingbird feeders.  There is a high likelihood of the birds
coming in contact with the petroleum jelly which can foul their
feathers.  While small amounts are likely more of a annoyance
to the birds than a serious, life-threatening problem, it doesn't
seem worth the risk.

Instead, I would recommend the saucer-type feeders.  In these
feeders, the liquid level is well below the feeder hole so the
bees cannot get to it.  Most come with a built-in ant trap
which eliminates ants as a problem (and gives the goldfinches
a favorite spot to drink).  The only issue I've had with mine
in 6 years is that jumping spiders like to sit on it.

Dean Edwards
Knoxville, TN



On Fri, 18 Aug 2006, Tallentad@xxxxxxx wrote:

>
> In response to the question: What do you do about  yellow jackets around
> hummingbird feeders?:
> I have used Vicks Vapor Rub or Mentholatum around the  feeding ports;
> however, you must be careful not to get any in the ports. Since  hummingbirds 
> have a
> poor sense of smell, as do most birds, they are not bothered  by the smell.
> Unlike the hummingbirds, yellow jackets do not like the smell, and  find the
> smell offensive. I read this suggestion one time in  either Birder's Digest or
> Birder's World or maybe it was Wildbird magazine.
>
> Ann Tallent
> Maryville, TN
> Blount Co.
>
>
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=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with
first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation.
You are also required to list the COUNTY in which the birds
you report were seen.  The actual DATE OF OBSERVATION should
appear in the first paragraph.
_____________________________________________________________
      To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
                    tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_____________________________________________________________ 
                To unsubscribe, send email to:
                 tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
            with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
______________________________________________________________
  TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society 
       Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s)
        endorse the views or opinions expressed
        by the members of this discussion group.
 
         Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
                 wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
                ------------------------------
                Assistant Moderator Andy Jones
                         Cleveland, OH
                -------------------------------
               Assistant Moderator Dave Worley
                          Rosedale, VA
__________________________________________________________
         
          Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
              web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                          ARCHIVES
 TN-Bird Net Archives at http://www.freelists.org/archives/tn-bird/

                  EXCELLENT MAP RESOURCES
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif
Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com

_____________________________________________________________

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