Your birds may at first wonder what the heck this new contraption is. This will act as a deterrent for ants in reaching the feeder I hope some of these solutions will help you. Wipe the feeder down using very hot water, but make sure the water is not hot enough to burn your hands. Hummingbirds rarely visited my feeder anyway. Ants cannot swim or make it across places where water is a few centimeters in depth so keeping them away from you feeders is actually quite simple. By purposely selecting certain flowering plants, you can encourage hummingbirds to visit your garden. Slide the plastic lid—which has been sprayed and left to dry—onto the metal wire. Ants drawn to the Hummingbird food are a problem: Some hummingbird feeders have ant motes, traps, or ant guards built right into the feeder. Watch as we highlight the best way to keep ants and other insects out of the nectar in your hummingbird feeders. Will those work to keep ants away? These pests rarely bother hummingbirds, but their persistence can easily drain a feeder in a few days. We hope the tips presented in this short guide will lead to a season filled with hummingbird sightings and no ants! Plus, they are eager to get to the sugar water. Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on September 09, 2018: Thanks for this insightful solution to the ant problem. So, if you are looking for a more natural approach to deterring ants around your hummingbird feeder, this may be an effective way to do just that. 1.) If it’s in an area that receives too much sunlight, the nectar could heat up too much, making it less favorable to hummingbirds. I do know what you mean though, natural nectar is better. Is it the prettiest thing hanging on your patio or porch? They certainly like my red bee balm. The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. Use moats as barriers to keep crawling insects away – A Ants are persistent in climbing hooks, chains and poles to reach a nectar feeder, but they cannot cross a water barrier. If you want a 100% guaranteed solution to stop ants, then you need to hang your hummingbird feeders from the center of a large fountain. Thank you! Water at the base of the feeder or spraying into the air around the feeder will act as a deterrent to even the most stubborn ants. Ants and wasps can be such a nuisance on our feeders. Cats like to stalk their prey. In fact, they leave behind a residue that is toxic to humans. For its size, a hummingbird's brain is bigger than ours. It attracts the bees and a couple of our hummingbirds are back. However, I love pineapple sage and I always keep large pot of it growing in the summertime. It is a little cup or trough, at the base of the hanging mechanism, that is filled with water. I tried the Vaseline with no luck, the ants just walked over it. If they are bees and not wasps, I personally would do nothing, the plight of the bees is frightening and we should all be doing more to encourage bees into our gardens. Question: Our hummingbird feeder has a dome, and yet the ants still get to the nectar. Susan Deppner from Arkansas USA on May 05, 2016: Very good to know that this system has worked well for you. Instead, look for a hummingbird feeder that is all red. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on February 27, 2017: Bees pose a different type of problem as they, like the hummingbirds, fly to the feeders. Although many of us use these cleaning products, I suspect many people don't rinse their surfaces after using them. Thanks for the information, Mary, and Happy Thursday to you. Sometimes, these industrious ants also create a bridge of ants over the water and cross over. Hummingbirds also eat small spiders and other bugs for protein, not just nectar. At a whopping 4.2% of its body weight, it makes ours at 2% seem tiny by comparison. Sharing! So far this year we haven't had ants on our hummingbird feeders, but last year we did. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on May 22, 2016: Ants don't only spoil picnics, lol. Hummingbirds can burn up to 12,000 calories a day! You could almost compare their chirps and vocalizations to our Yelp and Twitter reviews. Thanks for putting it on your blog, I hope it will be an asset to both of us. Thanks, I finally got rid of my ants in the hummingbird feeder. Make a loop with on the underside to stop the lid and hang unto the feeder. Previously I had some plastic ones, and in our sunlight, they eventually became brittle and cracked. If it keeps ants at bay in your home, it should have the same effect outside. But sometimes not-so-welcome guests like ants, … I have been doing this for 2 years and its been working for me. You should also search for dripless feeders that require tongue pressure from a hummingbird. You can either get a hummingbird feeder with a built-in ant moat, attach a guard or moat to your existing feeder or make your own. If you have hung your Hummingbird feeder on a pole or on some wire, you can use these I'm going to put this on my blog, which should get you some exposure. Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. Answer: Firstly are they leaking because the wind is strong causing them to spill? I’ve been working as Pest Control Technician and Inspector at Advantage Services in Louisiana for over 1.5 years now. The smell might deter them, but after a few sunny days, the adhesive and scent properties of tape usually wear off. Putting baby powder on the hanger and if they are hanging on a deck, also put some baby powder on the wooden deck top you have to reapply every couple of days but it works. In fact, they take a great interest in anything red. I have found that by moving my feeders, it will keep them away. Do you have any ideas? I have two places that the hummingbirds know to look. As you say, it would be much more appealing to look at. Plus, this model can either be suspended or attached to a window with the included suction cups. This dispute was over a feeding bottle. This is to support the lid. Question: I've been using vegetable oil in the moat above the hummingbird feeder for the last four years to prevent ants - so far so good. While you’re at it, dump the old nectar and refill with a fresh, room-temperature mixture to keep the food pure and healthy. The gel is good for one year. While a drip pan below the hummingbird feeder can be effective, one other alternative is to buy a dripless-style hummingbird feeder. Just like flying insects, many varieties of ants will be interested in the sugary taste of hummingbird nectar. So, you may also look at other dye-free alternatives, such as boiling sugar in with water. A simple feeder like the Opus Glass Hummingbird Feeder requires the birds to be in flight while drinking the nectar. You can see an example of this in the photo. We have seen hummingbirds chase predators such as hawks and kingfishers, here at our farm. Answer: I have never done it but I see no reason not to. Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on May 21, 2016: We have hummingbirds visiting our yard because of all the flowering plants so we do not bother with a hummingbird feeder. Is this working for anyone else? Reading through the comments I see that I'll have to address the tiny wasp issues as well. A leaking hummingbird feeder is an open invitation to ants, bees, and other sugar-loving critters. 5) Keep feeders away from hiding spots. Some experts also warn about using adhesive tape and Tree Tanglefoot insect barriers as these can also cause health issues for birds. I didn't say WD40, I said 409, the kitchen cleaner. There are many websites and blogs out there that recommend adding oil to the outside of the hummingbird feeder to deter ants. Your solution is very innovative. Lucy said products designed to keep ants and squirrels away from her bird feeders range in price from $7 to $25, all way more expensive than a little Vicks or WD-40. Kathy from Bristol,N.H. Therefore, it’s best to skip oils — even “essential oils” — and try an approach that doesn’t endanger the welfare of hummingbirds. Answer: You've misread what was written. Home » Pest Guides » How to Keep Ants Off Hummingbird Feeders (7 Smart Ways). You're right it is annoying! Thanks for the idea. Red flowers attract them. Here at my home, we see them on the bougainvillea and both the cashew and the mango trees. Move the feeder a few feet away Once ants find something, they will continue raiding it until it’s completely depleted. Spray the topside of the lid with insect spray, 409, Mr. The ants get stuck while walking to the food. Each time you add new feed to the hummingbird feeder, wipe down the exterior to remove any built up sugar residue. Insect spray or kitchen cleaning spray, such as Mr. Hummingbirds are only found in the western hemisphere extending from Alaska to Chile. Ants are attracted to sugar residue, so cleaning the feeder can keep them away. 3. It turns out there are about 22,000 different types and we have our fair share here in Brazil. The way they can delicately hover over a flower, is amazing to see. Sharing this forward. On some blogs, you might see a mention of wrapping adhesive tape around the pole of your hummingbird feeder. I have had great success with this method and left it for weeks without respraying it. The oil prevents the wasps and ants from putting their feet (legs) on feeder to get necter. So let's look at various types of plants that can be grown to get them to visit. 8, 2010 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic. A larger bird like the woodpecker wouldn’t be able to mob the small feeder. I’m thinking this may help with the “visual appeal”. if you are in a moderate to hot climate, I recommend your giving it a try. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on July 24, 2019: Thanks for adding that. Ah, you’ve made it! My hummingbirds don't mind the smell at all but the ants sure do! Red dye #40 (a common food coloring in hummingbird nectar) may also be carcinogenic. Where we live is 3° south of the equator and our temperature is a constant 88-90° (F) year round. While this article is mostly focused on keeping ants away from your hummingbird feeder, it is worth mentioning that bees can also be a nuisance. Spray WD-40 on shoe string. How to keep ants out of cat food. Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 05, 2016: I would think this is a very search-engine friendly article, but it's also interesting, well-written and very handy for most gardeners and lovers of birds. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on May 24, 2018: That is a good idea, thanks for sharing your method for keeping ants away from your hummingbird feeder. Just another reason I believe it is best to use natural cleaning products in the kitchen. Once ants find a fantastic food source (such as your hummingbird feeder), they leave behind a scent trail to make it easy for the rest of the colony to locate. We will also throw in a few tips from people who have found creative solutions to this common problem. I have seen a video of one flying to a camera strap that had a red Canon logo on it. Ant Moats. First time in 10 years I have had this ant problem. I LOVE PEPPERMINT OIL I USE AROUND 8 OUNCES WATER 10-15 DROPS PEPPERMINT OIL DROP OR TWP OD DAWN OR OTHER BRAND IN SPRAY BOTTLE SPRAY ALL OVER KEEPS ALL FLYING BUGS WAY SPRAY HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER WIRE OR ROPE WITH SPRAY LET IT DRY SNTS, BEE, WASPS OTHER FLYING BUGS DISLIKE, HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS AND ITS NATURAL. Small, perchless feeders essentially keep out every bird except hummers because most birds need to perch while eating. A piece of wire (I used a flexible and plastic-coated wire, but a wire coat hanger would work.). Put Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on the hook, pole, string, or whatever the feeder is hanging from. While moving the location will work for a time, it can also throw off the hummingbirds who have grown used to feeding at a particular location. A plastic lid sprayed with household cleaner and placed above the hummingbird feeder can keep ants at bay. Hummingbirds are attracted to a good nectar recipe, but so are ants, bees, hornets, wasps, and other sweet-loving insects.Fortunately, there are many easy ways to control insects to keep bees away from hummingbird feeders without harming the birds. We will cover some of the most popular methods and recommend a few products. I tried one of those honeycomb looking wasp catchers and this year I've had no problems at all with the wasps. Ants apparently hate mint and bay leaves. First, one rotation, sticky side down, as usual, followed by a half twist, then wrapped with a wire hanger, sticky side out. Since chitin is slick and oily, regular adhesive tape has little effect on ants. When both of us started having failing health, we stopped putting them out. Here’s why. Thanks for sharing! I have received a message from a reader that he used Dawn dish soap and that worked for him! One of the most popular dripless hummingbird feeders on the market these days is the Cuboid Insect-Proof Hummingbird Feeder. Hopefully by the end of the day, your hummingbirds will not have to contend with ants in their feeding bottle. 6 Ways To Keep Ants Out Of Hummingbird Feeders Ants are attracted to sugar and sweetness and since hummingbird feeders are made up of sugar water, they, of course, are going to go straight for the mixture. You are so lucky to have a lot of hummingbirds. I have never seen many of the hummingbirds or other nectar-feeding birds even attempting to land on it. The next step is to simply make a loop in the wire—this will need to be wrapped around a couple of times. When I looked on the internet for ideas, all I found were ideas for moats or coatings for the hook or chain. Whether it be providing counsel, content, or hands-on support; my goal remains to add value to the lives of the people I serve. 4. He cut a water bottle in half, drilled a hole in bottom just big enough to fit the coated wire that holds the feeder on the shepherds hook. Hummingbirds are able to warn other hummingbirds about potential dangers. Quickly, your well-intentioned hummingbird feeder becomes a no-go zone for these beautiful birds. on June 13, 2020: Hello, I’m so glad I found this page. To stop leakage, hang the devices in a less-than-breezy area and stow them away in rough conditions. I do like to keep trying until get to a satisfactory conclusion. If you’ve had a problem with bees around your hummingbird feeder, you may have been told to switch to a feeder that doesn’t have yellow-colored faux pedals. They have completely disappeared from my yard. It isn't a permanent solution, but it's workable. We haven't had wasps on the feeders for a couple of years now. Make the hole as small as possible but large enough to allow your wire to pass through. The loop should be strong enough to support the weight of your feeder. The best place to position a hummingbird feeder is in an area with partial shade. I then sprayed the string with WD-40. A leaking hummingbird feeder is an open invitation to ants, bees, and other sugar-loving critters. A greasy, sticky way to keep ants off your bird feeder. Hello, My name is Blane and I’m a life-long resident of Southeastern Louisiana. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on July 29, 2017: I bought my feeders from the States as the only ones I've seen here are plastic, and not attractive. Check for Leaks. I took a shoe string and rapped it around the hanger cable. One popular hummingbird feeder that doesn’t have yellow is the Bolite 18006 Hummingbird Feeder. Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on May 05, 2016: I hope so. I'm certain many people have that problem and it is helpful to know that it has been successful for you. Opt for varieties in red for best results. I used red electrical tape. Answer: That is a great idea, thanks for sharing that. Bushes, decks, patio furniture, woods along the yard line, etc. Once they hatch, all we can see are the pointed beaks sticking out of the nest. If this repeats over the span of several days, a hummingbird’s ability to fly is diminished and they may ultimately fall victim to common predators such as cats, hawks, eagles, and other animals. Regarding keeping away wasps and flying ants from hummingbird feeders, I was told to put cooking oil around the necter holes on the feeder. I will have to find out if it will grow here. There are many flowers that attract hummingbirds. What I have found works best for me is a simple plastic lid, the type that comes on a carton of ice cream or margarine container. Also thoughtful of you to share. *Edit. This is good to know however for all those with feeders for these tiny and cute creatures. There is a sticky tape (used on tree's for catarpillars), wrap around pole to keep them from getting up it, Will need to change it periodically, as when it gets coated stuck ants, new ants will crawl over the dead ones. In fact, it's so simple that you'll likely be able to do this with items you have around your house. I love having hummingbirds visit my feeders. But, there is also one other thing you didn’t expect: ants (and likely lots of them). by Clay Thompson - Jul. I have glass bottles, and they have never leaked. Wrap old shoe lace around hanging feeder cable. Need is the mother of invention ain't it? Natural Ways to Keep Pests Away From Hummingbird Feeder Feeders filled with sugar water attract hummingbirds. They were about $3 and have a hook on both ends so I was able to keep my feeders. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on June 27, 2018: Well that's a new one I hadn't heard before. This line should be strong enough to support most hummingbird feeders that use less than a half-gallon of liquid, which is a vast majority of feeder models. If you don’t keep the bees and wasps away from your hummingbird feeder, you’ll end up seeing fewer hummingbirds in your lawn and many more bees and wasps. Some feeders come with built-in ant moats, but they are usually small and will dry out quickly. After looking on the internet and being discouraged with the results, I have come up with an easy and virtually free way to keep ants away from my feeders. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on May 21, 2016: They are such a joy to watch. I use a metal skewer but you could use a knife, scissors or whatever you have to make a small hole. Right now, I'm hoping that the little guys will find it in the new location. Finally, after a lot of trial and error, I discovered a quick, long-lasting and inexpensive set up, which is perfect for preventing ants on the hummingbird feeders where I live. No more ants in feeder. The minute the feeder comes out so do the bees it's so annoying. While a drip pan below the hummingbird feeder can be effective, one other alternative is to buy a dripless-style hummingbird feeder. Below is a list of some common flowering plants that attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Question: I have tried two different hummingbird feeders, and they both leak. And, the gel won’t dry, collect leaves, or spill. Before moving to Brazil I thought there were two types of ants ~ red and black. What about bees ? BugSnub has taken ant moat design to the next level. At least now you've got a plan of action, just in case. I do hope the Gods at Google (and others) pick it up. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on September 09, 2018: I'm sure your hummingbirds will find your feeder, they cover a lot of ground in the course of a day. My husband also saw one hummingbird pushing another to the ground and attack it. If the unit is leaking, can you return it to the place you purchased it from? Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on January 07, 2017: I will try this when we go back to our cottage this summer. (In case you didn't know, those kitchen cleaning products also work against bugs, and it is a secret that professional exterminators don't want you to know about.) Ants at Hummingbird Feeders. First of all, ants will steal the nectar. Thanks for reading this article from Pest Control Gurus. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on January 08, 2017: Just remember to reapply the spray occasionally, especially if you have had rain. Learn how to clean hummingbird feeders. Fishing line is too thin for ants to climb, which means they won’t be able to reach your hummingbird feeders for a free meal. I put corn startch in the moat instead of water,ants don't like to walk on cornstarch on May 24, 2018: I put cornstarch in my moat as ants don't like to cross cornstarch. They will be most successful in catching birds around your feeder if they are able to sneak up on them. And, this is absolutely true. They can be aggressive and territorial. I would also like to add here that not only do we get the hummingbirds visiting our feeders, we have them nesting in our garden. Thank you. At one point I had small wasps which hounded my hummingbird feeders preventing the birds from getting to a feeding station. While this seems like a plausible life hack, ants have an exoskeleton made of chitin, a substance made of cellulose polymers. I'm going to give the plastic lid a try next time I refill the feeder. Here is an easy and inexpensive way to keep those unwanted ants off your feeders. Push from the underside towards the top. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on August 08, 2020: Thank you Linda, this gives the readers even more options to try. If you use two or even three of these tips together you can put up a strong defense against ants. Now that we’ve gone through some of the most popular and hummingbird-safe methods of ant control, we’d like to point out some other methods that you should probably avoid. The program pays this website advertising fees for products purchased after users click the links to Amazon. All of my feeders are glass, so they are quite weighty when full of the sugary water solution. Just for the record, black ants bite too. The ants crawl in and drown. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on June 13, 2020: Even if you're still under a shelter in place, it's likely you have everything you need at home. Mary Wickison (author) from Brazil on May 05, 2016: Well, squirrels we don't have although we do have monkeys. I tried the moat idea, but like the author, I don't have the time to fill it several times a day. My only concern is that you will need to keep using more tape, as the sticky part gets coated in dust from the air. Muscle or 409. The lid will bobble about in the wind, but as long as it is supported by the wire, you will have no problem. If you are currently having an issue with ants, one of the most effective (and cost-effective) methods is to “go medieval” and add an add moat to your feeder line. My only concern is it may go rancid if not changed regularly. You can of course jazz it up so it doesn't look like a plastic lid but just keep in mind you need to have a surface that you can wash and reapply the bug spray as and when needed. I have tried all of these with only limited success. When I change the sugar water, I leave the wire and plastic lid in place and only remove the bottle. They are inquisitive. They work great for any liquid food or fruit you set out. My husband made us a moat for our hummingbird feeder to keep ants out of the nectar for just pennies! But, then the hummingbirds suddenly stop making appearances. How to Keep Ants Away from Hummingbird Feeder? If you are worried about using this spray near the feeder, don't be. I was desperate to find a solution to the problem. I enjoy seeing the hummingbirds, and I wanted to continue attracting to our outdoor area. I'd try and return that and buy a glass one. Dolores Monet from East Coast, United States on July 27, 2017: Hi Mary - I had the prettiest hummingbird feeder and made my own nectar for it. Before you move the hummingbird feeder to another location, you should also adjust your setup to prevent a recurrence of the ant problem. Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on May 05, 2016: A very interesting article indeed. If you’ve had a previous ant infestation, you should also wash out your hummingbird feeder so the ant carcasses or scents do not deter hummingbirds from returning. Luckily, there are a few options for keeping ants away from hummingbird feeders. Many hummingbird aficionados use fishing line to suspend their feeders. But if it is going to cost me a lot of time and/or money, I would need to rethink hanging my feeders out. Although we have a wide variety of plants, we don't have a lot of flowers. Another way to keep ants away from hummingbird feeder is apply Vaseline or some oily liquid on the outer side of feeder. If you want to build a fortress to keep off ants from your hummingbird feeder, thread it with two or more plastic lids. If you can't do it with your fingers, use pliers. I am a big believer in planting flowers and leaving areas wild for certain insects. We’ve talked to a number of experts on the matter and they universally conclude that adding oil is a bad idea. I'm letting it dry, does the smell dissipate? It largely comes down to one simple fact: ants are extremely territorial — especially when a food source is involved. Many people are plagued by ants, and this is going to be a Godsend to those that have wanted to retain feeders, but don't because of the pests. As you investigate, you still see nectar in the feeder. If you have any questions regarding pest control, leave them below. To help you deal with this problem, this article will cover 9 easy ways to keep bees and wasps away from your hummingbird feeder. If it’s too dark, the hummingbirds may have trouble locating it. Tubular flowers are a bonus for them, as this type of flower can hold a lot of nectar. I use a clear plastic moat that I bought from a "bird shop". Clean the feeder. How do I deter them? Living on a farm in Brazil, I've gained local in-depth knowledge of food, plants, and traditions, which I share through my articles. Since these models are pressure-based, they are usually effective in keeping ants away. I’ve worked in many other industries as well, including consulting, managing, as well as at the ground level in fields including Food Service, Corporate Automotive sales and finance. When a hummingbird comes into contact with an oiled feeder, they will spread that oil over their wings while preening. The logic is that the fishing line is too thin and slick for ants to traverse vertically. But once they go in and sample the liquid, they will know there is no danger. FYI. Over half of my life has been dedicated to providing service to people with a premium placed on excellence. To conserve energy at night, hummingbirds go into a short hibernation, called torpor. It's often the unusual things that work the best. Start with a new lid and use either a kitchen cleaning spray, such as 409, Mr. Just make sure that they have no access without having to walk through the goo. Easy way to rid ants from humming bird feeder. You are now better equipped to tackle that ant issue that has been plaguing your hummingbird feeder. Question: Do you ever paint the lids of the hummingbird feeders before spraying the cleaning solution?
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