Ants (1 Viewer)

[emc]

Is there a way to keep ants off the hummingbird feeder?

 

[Backyard Sanctuary]

Some hummingbird feeders have a built-in ant maot you fill with water. There are also water traps you can buy that you hang above the feeder. Below are a few examples of items you can buy. I would stick to using ant guards that only use water.

 

[Gary Polliard]

Is there a way to keep ants off the hummingbird feeder?

The one way I did was to thread the wire that the feeder is hanging from, through a small flat plastic lid from a food container (like pringles chips)and put a film of oil cooking or vaseline on the lid. the ants wont go through it.

 

[alonteach]

you can find Ants solutions here

 

[KC Foggin]

I don't advise using any type of petroleum around the ant moats as it can easily transfer to any bird trying to sip water. Just my thoughts though.

 

[Fowl Mouth]

Don't Hummers like insects? I thought they were carnivores.

 

[humminbird]

Yes, hummingbirds do eat insects heavily, but I do not recall any records of hummingbirds eating ants. Please do not use vaseline (generic is petroleum jelly) anywhere near any bird feeder. A little petroleum can be harmful to the birds.

 

[emc]

Thanks so much for the helpful suggestions and advice. Is the cooking oil safe?

 

[alonteach]

If vaseline (petroleum jelly) is not good for them, you can use this

Make it completely inaccessible to them
One cup blocks the way to the other
If you will get the cups close together (the small one a little into the bigger one) – birds will not be able to get their beaks to the lower cup and you can put in anything you like.
You can also hang it up side down and just fill the lower cup with water (in rainy places) or Talc\ginger powder at dry places

 

[D. Taylor]

I really like the HummZinger feeders which has a built in ant moat. They work good for photos because the way they are made you can catch a hovering shot and easily miss or crop out the feeder. They can be found at
www.aspectsinc.com