How To Keep Ants Out Of Hummingbird Feeders?
Do you have a hummingbird feeder in your backyard? If so, you may have noticed that ants have been congregating around it lately.
This can be a huge problem, as the ants can contaminate the nectar with their saliva and digestive juices, which can make the hummingbirds sick. In this blog post, we will discuss how to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders.
Contents
Move the feeder often
An amazing way to keep them out is to move the feeder often. Ants are able to find their way by following a pheromone trail left by other ants.
By moving the feeder, you disrupt this trail and make it harder for them to find their way back.
In addition, moving the feeder also provides the opportunity to clean it more thoroughly, which can also help to discourage ants.
So if you’re struggling with an ant problem, try moving your hummingbird feeder around on a regular basis.
Install an ant moat
One of the best ways to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders is to install an ant moat. Ant moats are small pools of water that ants cannot cross.
They can be placed on top of the feeder, and the hummingbirds can drink from them without fear of being attacked by ants.
There are a few different types of ant moats available, but they all work in essentially the same way. If you are unsure which type to purchase, ask your local hardware store for a recommendation.
Another option is to make your own ant moat by placing a small dish of water under the feeder.
However, you will need to empty and refill the dish regularly to prevent the water from evaporating.
Either way, an ant moat is a simple and effective way to keep your hummingbird feeders ant-free.
If you’re confused about how to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders by using a Moat, keep reading.
How to build a DIY Ant Moat
If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to keep ants out of your home, a DIY ant moat may be the answer.
Ant moats work by creating a barrier that prevents ants from crossing, while still allowing water to flow freely. The best part is that they can be easily made with items you likely already have around the house.
- To make a DIY ant moat, start by finding a small container that can be placed on top of your plant pot. A cup or bottle works well.
- Next, fill the container with water, and add a drop or two of dish soap. The dish soap will break the surface tension of the water, making it impossible for ants to cross.
- Finally, place your plant pot on top of the container, and you’re all set.
If you find that ants are still managing to get into your pot, simply add more water to the moat or try a different type of dish soap. With a little trial and error, you’ll soon have a ant-proof planter.
Repair leaks of bird feeders
One way to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder is to repair any leaks in your bird feeders.
Ants are attracted to the spilled bird seed, and they will also be drawn to the sweet nectar of the hummingbird feeder.
If you have a leaky bird feeder, fix it as soon as possible and this should help to keep the ants away.
Clean the feeder on a daily basis
Ants are very attracted to the sugar water in hummingbird feeders.
If you clean your feeder on a daily basis, you will reduce the chances of ants invading your feeder and taking the sugar water away from the hummingbirds.
Try bay leaves
Bay leaves are very effective in keeping ants away from your hummingbird feeder. Ants are attracted to the sweet nectar in the hummingbird feeder, but when they get there they will be greeted by the bay leaves, which will deter them from coming back.
Try bay mint leaves
Yes, fresh mint leaves work well to keep ants away from hummingbird feeders. Simply place a few leaves around the edge of the feeder, and the ants will be deterred.
Mint leaves also make a refreshing drink for hummingbirds, so it’s a great way to attract them to your garden.
Hang your feeder above water
There are a few things you can do to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder.
- One is to hang your feeder above water, as ants won’t be able to cross the water to get to the feeder.
- Another is to place the feeder on a pole or tree branch that’s difficult for ants to climb.
- Finally, you can try spraying the feeder with an ant repellent.
Use safe, household ingredients
There are a few different ways to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder using household ingredients.
- One way is to make a simple syrup using sugar and water, and adding peppermint extract or tea tree oil (which are both natural insecticides) to the mixture.
- Another way is to make a vinegar solution (5% acetic acid), and spraying it around the feeder and its base.
- Plus, you can also try creating a barrier around the feeder by placing petroleum jelly or cooking oil on the ground around it.
Make the area slippery or sticky
There are a few different ways to approach this problem. One interesting way is to make the area around the feeder slippery so the ants can’t climb up to it.
You can do this by spraying it with a citrus-based cleaning product or by using an ant repellent spray.
Hang the feeder on fishing line
You can use a fishing line to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder. This will help keep them away because the ants won’t be able to climb up the feeder to get to the nectar.
Try adhesive tape
If you have a lot of ants around your hummingbird feeder, they could be stealing the nectar.
By using adhesive tape, you can prevent the ants from getting to the nectar and make sure the birds have enough to eat.
Use household ingredients to repel ants
To ants, the sugar water in hummingbird feeders is like a delicious drink from a watering hole in the middle of the desert. But you can use some common household ingredients to help keep those pesky critters away.
- A mixture of equal parts vinegar and water will create an acidic environment that ants don’t like to invade.
- You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper around the feeder or use lemon juice as a deterrent.
- You can spread petroleum jelly (or another sticky substance) around the lip of the feeder to make it difficult for ants to climb up.
With a little bit of ingenuity, you can keep those little creatures from snacking on your nectar.
Where to buy bird feeders?
here are a variety of places to buy bird feeders. Some options include online retailers, pet stores, and garden centers.
When choosing a bird feeder, it’s important to consider the type of bird you want to attract.
For example, if you want to attract larger birds, you’ll need a feeder that is big enough for them to eat from.
It’s also important to make sure the feeder is made from a material that is durable and easy to clean.
Finally, be sure to place the feeder in an area that is accessible to birds but also safe from predators. Plus, if you want to know how to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders, read the article from the start.
Recommended article: When to put out Hummingbird feeders? (in each State)
How to keep ants out of hummingbird feeder youtube?
One way to keep ants out of your hummingbird feeder is to put Vaseline around the top of the feeder where the ants are entering.
The Vaseline will create a barrier that the ants cannot cross. Another way to keep ants out of your hummingbird feeder is to place the feeder in a birdbath or another large container of water. The water will create a barrier that the ants cannot cross.
Yet another way to keep ants out of your hummingbird feeder is to use a food-grade ant deterrent, such as diatomaceous earth or cayenne pepper.
These deterrents work by coating the surface of the hummingbird feeder with a layer that prevents ants from crossing over.
FAQs
There are different types of hummingbirds, and some do eat ants while others don’t. Ants are a good source of protein for hummingbirds, so those that do eat them tend to get the most benefit from them nutritionally.
Now you know how to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about it.
Will Vaseline keep ants off my hummingbird feeder?
There isn’t any proof of this fact that Vaseline repels ants from hummingbird feeders. Some people say that it does and some people say that it does not.
The best way to find out is to try it! If it does not work, then you can always try a different method.
Does Vaseline hurt hummingbirds?
There is no evidence that Vaseline hurts hummingbirds. In fact, Vaseline might even help them because it can create a slippery surface that can make it harder for predators to capture them. However, it’s always best to check with an expert to be sure.
How do you make an ant guard for a hummingbird feeder?
There are a few things you can do to make an ant guard for your hummingbird feeder. One way is to take a used plastic water bottle and cut off the top, then turn it upside down and fit it over the feeder’s mouth.
You can also use a wire hanger to make a simple ant guard. Just bend the hanger into a U-shape, fit it over the feeder’s mouth, and twist the ends together to keep it in place.
Final Words
By following these tips, you can keep ants out of your hummingbird feeders and give these tiny creatures the food they need to survive.
We hope now you don’t have any confusion about how to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders.
Do you have any other tips for keeping ants out of bird feeders that are tried and tested? If yes, share them in the comments below!
Interesting articles:
