Bees invading my aviary

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E Orix
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Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

Has anyone any idea of how I can stop hoards of Bees taking over my Honey Eaters feed station.
They obviously like the nectar mix
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arthur
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http://homeguides.sfgate.com/homemade-n ... 89618.html

You've probably tried Dr Google . .

A lot of these 'home-made recipes' are not much good, but it may be a starting point
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finchbreeder
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I will try some of these to Keep them out of the eves. :thumbup:
LML
LML
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Craig52
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Buy some Bee Eaters :) David, problem solved. Seriously though, would have no idea how to get rid of them other than to track down the hive if it is feral. Craig
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E Orix
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Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

I can normally sort out most problems but this situation has me beaten.
What bees that don't take the nectar mix away drown in the containers.
I do not want to destroy the bees or hive as they are so needed in a rural area.
To catch the Honey Eaters etc is nearly mission impossible in my large aviary.
I do have one idea but I will need to catch them up!!!! and train them to feed differently.
If they were seed eaters not problem to catch them except Jacarinis as they just hide.
In the last 2 days they have consumed over 1 litre of mix, I need to constantly remove the
drowned bees so the birds can eat.
I guess it is good for the bees and their hive :thumbdown:
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vettepilot_6
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Multiple nectar feeders outside aviary? ? May stop too many in aviary?
The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Cut Price is Forgotten
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E Orix
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Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

It's worth a try.
If I could catch them(birds) I would train them to drink through a mesh top.
The mesh would need to bigger than fly wire maybe 5mm. have the mix just below the mesh.
The beaks are long enough.
You battle along.
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vettepilot_6
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Mr Google says bees are attracted to yellow but not keen on red. .what colour are yours Dave? also it refers to hummingbirds but google says Watch for leaks. Eliminate any leaks in the feeder. The fewer leaks, the fewer chances there are to attract them.
Confuse them. Remove your feeders for a few days and then relocate them. This breaks up the memory of where the feeders are, and it could take them a while to find the feeders again.
New mixture. Reduce the ratio of sugar in your nectar by adding extra water. By making the nectar less attractive to bees, they will move on.
The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Cut Price is Forgotten
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E Orix
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Posts: 2740
Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

My feed stations are Red I removed the mix from 2 stations and replaced it with salty water (few still returned)
I need to keep feed up to the birds so fed out in a small s/s bowl in an area they were used to. Sat there while they
would feed then removed the bowl for about an hour. Later I had to go out for a couple of hours on my return the mix
was all eaten and the bees were feeding off the honey on the honey drenched drowned bees.
I will see what today brings and will set up an outside feed station.
Thanks for your interest
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Tass
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Maybe try the bee hive association . They may have a different angle from bird breeders
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