Why Attracting Hummingbirds To Your Yard Could Save You From Itchy Bites

Whether you're spending time working in your garden or you're spending the day relaxing with your family on the patio, the last thing you want is scratching itchy bug bites and swatting insects away. Although there are ways to deter pests with pantry items, there's another great way to reduce their numbers that you may not have thought of: attracting hummingbirds to your yard. Although hummingbirds are known to feed on nectar from plants and hummingbird feeders, it's not all that they eat. These small birds also eat insects to get protein, fat, fiber, salt, and other nutrients into their diets. They can eat as many as 2,000 insects per day. 

These small birds don't limit their meals to what just one type of insect but are known to feast on some of the peskiest biters such as gnats and mosquitoes — they can even provide protection from stinging wasps. Not only this, but they also eat eggs and larvae, so this can help to reduce the population of insects around your home even more. If you want your yard to benefit from the presence of hummingbirds, consider doing some things to make it more friendly to them. A few updates can attract hummingbirds to your yard and reduce the likelihood of experiencing itchy bites when spending time outside.

There are many ways to attract hummingbirds to the yard, but it's best to use a combination of them in tandem to get the best results. A great first step is to add a few hummingbird feeders to your yard. Although you may be tempted to add one large feeder, it's actually better to add several small hummingbird feeders instead since males can be territorial during the nesting season. It can also be helpful to add some perches since hummingbird can't rest on the ground or hop. Consider making an easy DIY hummingbird swing to make your yard more inviting to them.

In addition to this, growing new plants and flowers that hummingbirds love can also be helpful. Native plants are best for hummingbirds so consider adding some of them to your yard. This could include vines, shrubs or trees. Some of the best plants for attracting hummingbirds include bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, and hummingbird sage. 

Additionally, consider providing these birds with a water source. Adding a fountain with moving water can be a great way to attract hummingbirds and will give them a place to drink and bathe. Also, avoid using pesticides around your home since this will eliminate key food sources for them and will make them less likely to come by. Once they do appear, they'll do such a great job of eliminating pests that you may not need pesticides anyway.