Tips To Protect Hummingbirds From Praying Mantises Lurking On Feeders

Did you know that praying mantises will sometimes perch themselves on hummingbird feeders and catch the tiny birds for dinner? Although it sounds impossible, it's very possible and frightening to watch. Mantises typically go for smaller prey, like bees and wasps; however, hummingbirds and praying mantises are about the same length, at roughly 4 inches, making it possible for the mantises to strike. It doesn't happen often, unless the mantis is starving. At that point, anything is game.

So, if you have a hummingbird feeder, what can you do to avoid this catastrophe? One simple method is to grab a stick and simply allow the mantis to crawl onto it before moving it to another location. However, if praying mantises are particularly enjoy your hummingbird feeder, they may come back. At this point, if you'd like to avoid killing them, you may need to capture them, place them in a container, and drive them a couple of miles down the road to a park or forest. However, if the insects keep returning, there are a few other things you can do.

If you've tried relocating the praying mantises and noticed that they still keep visiting your hummingbird feeder, you may have to get more involved. Rather than moving the mantises, try moving the feeder away from bushes or trees where these insects can hide. Praying mantises are excellent at camouflage and are capable of standing still for a long time — unless a subtle breeze blows by. Then, they'll gently sway with the greenery to stay hidden. It may be wise to move the feeder to the edge of your porch, away from the trees and bushes. This way, you'll also have a better view of the hummingbirds.

If that seems like a lot of work, you can also purchase a wide bird feeder cover to place over the hummingbird feeder to deter the praying mantises. There are several available to purchase online that come in different styles, like the red protective cover with scalloped edges from Birds Choice for $36.99. Not only will it help deter praying mantises, but it can also protect the feeder from rain and snow.