Hummingbirds being driven away by wasps

DEAR JOAN >> We have several hummingbird feeders in our backyard, and the wasps like them as much as the hummingbirds do, even though we wash the feeders off regularly.

Lately, I’ve seen a wasp chase the bird away over and over. They won’t share. The wasps win the feeders! What can we do? — Sue Espinoza, Alameda

DEAR SUE >> Your problem soon may resolve itself. Most wasps either die in the winter or go into a sort of hibernation. Either way, you won’t find them around your hummingbird feeders.

There are some things you can do to prepare for spring, however. Consider replacing your feeders. Saucer feeders, which the hummers’ long beaks and tongues easily can reach, are discouraging for wasps and bees that just can’t get to the nectar.

Try to avoid using feeders with a lot of yellow, which can attract wasps. Hummers prefer reds and pinks. Try keeping the feeders in shaded areas — insects prefer to feed in full sun.

Don’t be afraid to move the feeders. Hummingbirds will have no trouble finding them, but the insects will be confused, even if the feeder is only moved a few feet.

You’re already keeping the feeders clean, but make sure there aren’t any leaks or spills. Often, that’s what attracts the wasps in the first place. In early spring, hang some fake hornet nests in your yard. You can buy them at hardware stores or make your own by taking brown paper lunch bags, crunching them up and then puffing them out. Hang them from eaves or tree limbs. When the wasps emerge and start looking for new nesting places, they’ll think other wasps already have claimed your yard.

DEAR JOAN >> My 9-year- old, 90-pound pit mix dog has two torn ACLs. She has been recovering for a year. I couldn’t afford surgery.

She still needs support to walk and walks only to go out and do her business. My concern is lately, she constantly licks her paws. When doing this, she zones out to her own world and doesn’t respond to anything.

She also has chronic pancreatitis and can’t always eat properly. Just asking for an opinion, please. We hope it is boredom.

— Nancy Decker, Oldsmar, Florida

DEAR NANCY >> Odds are it is boredom or she, like a lot of pets, could be reacting to the stress of the pandemic. The licking might be a way of comforting herself.

You still should take her to the vet to make sure there isn’t something else going on, but if she’s not doing herself any harm — not licking off the hair or causing skin irritation — you could try distracting her with a toy, a treat or your attention when she gets too involved with her paws.

DEAR JOAN >> My cat, Scooter, seems to want to eat nothing but his treats, called Temptations. Is it all right if he eats these as his main diet?

— Donna Ward, Maryville, Tennessee

DEAR DONNA >> All pets need a balanced diet, and treats alone don’t provide the nutrition a cat needs. The maker suggests giving up to 15 treats a day for a 10-pound cat.

Slowly try to introduce new cat food to Scooter until you find one he’ll eat. There might be certain flavors he doesn’t like. I had a cat that refused to eat anything fish-flavored, but he loved the chicken and liver.