Outdoors
Sponsored by

Honey bees infesting deer feeder

4,657 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Padre_Island_Ag
Padre_Island_Ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Never before today have I seen honey bees swarm in a timer-controlled deer feeder. Anyone else have this experience, and what action did you take? Yes, there is a bee keeper about a mile away. I have never seen honey bees interested in dried corn. They are all over the corn on the ground, too!I
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose!



Soli Deo Gloria
SanAntoneAg
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Orange scented corn? Apple scented corn?
Gig 'em! '90
Jason C.
How long do you want to ignore this user?
1. Fill feeder with frames
2. ????
3. Profit
CS78
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Cant help you but I think it's a time of year thing. I have one feeder that they're hitting now and they were on the same one, same time, last winter. Guessing their food sources are a little sparse this time of year.

As for taking action, I just figured they wont eat much.
Wearer of the Ring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Shoot 'em in the nuts.
I feel so much better since about 11 a.m. CT on 20 Jan. 2025
$3 Sack of Groceries
How long do you want to ignore this user?
This is why I high fence.
Burdizzo
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Maybe the bees have figured out how to make high fructose corn syrup
JYDog90
How long do you want to ignore this user?
This is where Beaver Nuggets come from
Formerly Willy Wonka
BrazosDog02
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Resources are short this time of year. They are stocking up for the winter and there is something in it they like. Few nectar sources, might be short on water resources, Biden election, all of this leads to them swarming things you might not typically find them on.

If they aren't IN your feeder then you're fine. If they are IN your feeder, get them out and fill it with corn. Lol.
zooguy96
How long do you want to ignore this user?
They've figured out how to make some 'shine!
O.G.
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Willy Wonka said:

This is where Beaver Nuggets come from
User name checks out.
AgLA06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
My guess has always been that water has gotten in and soured some corn. Just like bees swarm beer cans left out in the sun.

Empty and clean out the feeder with soap and they should move on.
HuntingGMan
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I have had the same thing going on with bees in the crumble feed in my chicken feeder for about the last month. My understanding is that the bees are looking for a protein source since their usual supplies are not plentiful this time of year. They crawl around in the feed, collecting the dust on them just like pollen in the spring. Then they take it back to the hive. While corn is not a great source of protein (about 10-15%), it is better than nothing this time of year.

The bees will show up in the daytime after the sun warms things up a little, and will shuttle the corn dust back to the hive all day long. They will not be present at night. They go back to the protection of the hive. If you need to work on the feeder or add corn to it, just wait until after dark.
Padre_Island_Ag
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Very interesting replies.

Thanks, and Gig 'em!
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose!



Soli Deo Gloria
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.