Most hummingbirds aren't messy, and usually can feed without too many spills. The High Perch Hummingbird Feeder also helps you keep ants out of your nectar by having this built-in well that you fill with water and therefore the ants cannot get across the moat and into your nectar. Relax. Impressive right? The best way to stop ants is to keep them away from the feeder in the first place. If … Add a larger ant moat, such as a cylinder or umbrella design, and keep it filled. There are many ways that people try to keep the ants out of their hummingbird feeders. On some occasions, it's possible to stop the ants from getting anywhere near the feeder in the first place. Happy birdies. However, like most bird enthusiasts, I wouldn't recommend using oil even though there's only a slim chance it'd get on the birds' feathers. They go bad. The lid would be too wobbly for them, and they'd be too concerned about the sugar water in your feeder anyways. Garrett is the head bird watcher and editor in chief here at BirdingHub.com. Not only bay leaves are good against ants, but mint leaves as well. Attach a metal string over the hanging loop of your hummingbird Give sufficient length to it. So it’s best to figure out a way to keep the ants out. Mix all the ingredients together, then funnel into a spray bottle. Best Overall. Try to make the hole as small as possible. Keeping Ants Out of the Garden. Leave it there until you notice ants have started using it. 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. Get your scissors and carefully cut it out before using the hole punch to punch four equally-spaced holes in the center of the lid. Also, sometimes even if there isn't any leakage, changing the position of your feeder might just work the magic. Clean Feeder is the problem-solver of hummingbird feeders. The loop should be strong enough to support the weight of your feeder. Make a loop with on the underside to stop the lid and hang unto the feeder. The moat is a small container infused to the top of the lid that traps ants when you add water. So to prevent ants climbing up the line, hang the feeder on a wire or other material that ants cannot crawl up. Your email address will not be published. Make sure the sprayed side is facing the top to serve as a landing zone for ants. Attach an ant moat. And that includes not just ants but also yellow jackets and honeybees. Hold the original lid down on your red plastic folder and trace a circle around it. Else, it might prove ineffective if bodies pile up, making a bridge for other ants to reach the loot. You'll see them all over the feeder and find armies of dead ants in the sugar solution. It’s a tricky problem. BirdingHub.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Make sure you do this in the early morning so that the nectar is no longer warm. Now you can hang it up. Place the feeder where the hummingbirds can come and go safely with minimal disturbance. More accurately, the ants love the hummingbird feeder, with its steady supply of sugar water. If your feeders don’t have this feature, you can buy attachable ant guards that trap the invaders. Just ensure to pick a size that correlates to the army of ants attacking your hummingbird feeder. Non-Lethal Options and Plants that Repel Ants. And like the hanging feeder, it also has a solution for the ants! If you are dealing with persistent ants or want a ready-made solution, you're in luck. When insects are taking over a hummingbird feeder, try… Hanging the feeder with fishing line – The thin, slippery surface of fishing line is difficult for ants to climb and they cannot reach the feeder. I have 2 hummingbird feeders and this one feeder ants are always crawling on it and they are inside the nectar too. Spray the holding mechanism on your feeder, avoiding all feeding points. I cannot buy a ant moat because I do not have enough money. Smaller is always better, so the ants don't breach any gaping space. So, you don't have to stress about filling the moat daily. This works great. Ant infestations on hummingbird feeders are incredibly common. First of all, you can buy a hummingbird’s feeder with built-in ant moat function, which can prevent your feeder from ants. Spreading ant dust over where the ants come from on the floor might also help. This will act as a deterrent for ants in reaching the feeder Some hummingbird feeders also have bee guards, or a combination of both, just like the Perky-Pet 203CPBR Pinchwaist, if bees are also an issue. Make Ant Baits. Pretty much all methods are based on the principal of blocking the ants' entry point with any material or device that will prevent them from reaching your feeder. Use some oily liquid. All rights reserved. Using a red folder will help attract the hummingbirds to your feeder. It's not the cheapest you'd find, but it costs only a few bucks for a premium quality product. Then hang moat from shepherd’s … The idea is that ants won't walk on a slippery surface and will stay off the feeder, which works. Pierce a hole in the centre of a wide cap of a jar. If ants still swim across the moat, just add a drop of dishwashing soap to the water. Step 3 - Hang it up and combat pesky ants. After scouring the internet, I've found a simple way to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder. This cool invention is simply a small reservoir for water that prevents the ants from crawling down the string that hangs your hummingbird feeder. A specially crafted ant moat, like this one to the left, will be your salvation to protect your hummingbird feeder! Attach the coupling nut to the lower eye hook, with half the nut still available. Most saucer and J-hook feeders have ant moats. Keep ants out of hummingbird feeder by putting an ant moat of water around the nectar or spread a little petroleum jelly on the hanger that holds up the feeder. This supposedly keeps the ants at bay because they have a hard time navigating the slick surface. Hummers are smart enough not to take a drink, but it's still a crude method. They attract other and sometimes bigger pests. Keep Ants Away . The moat is hung between the feeder and the hook it hangs on. This section looks at ways of repelling ants without harming them. You probably haven’t yet discovered exactly where ants are getting into your feeder. As long as you keep the moat filled, you should be ant-free HIGHEST-QUALITY ANT MOAT: Our hummingbird feeder ant trap is built-to-last, heavy duty, and made from rigid plastic, Never quickly break and crack Share. Here is a quick and easy solution for keeping your feeder ant-free. You can try them all or mix them together for your homemade hummingbird nectar. You can use special products that ants cannot crawl up such as beekeeper’s mesh or copper mesh that can be hung on a hook. Window Bird Feeders 133,417 views. I'll show you some simple, cheap, and even free methods to get rid of ants on your hummingbird feeder. If they go bad, simply replace them and your feeder will smell like bay leaves, which is not an unpleasant smell. Soon, the solution becomes contaminated, and your precious hummingbirds leave the feeder. If you watch closely where it trails away, you will likely discover an entry point. You’ll learn how simple products ... Keep the Ants Away with Coffee Grounds. However, the tape can trap and even send the little birdies away if they see it as a potential danger. Moreover, oil is bad for birds. This moat is available in two colours red and black. But this feeder has an ant moat that when filled with water, will keep ants from getting to the sweet nectar in the main compartment. Vaseline or some oily liquids are great against ants. Put a small basin filled with water near your feeder. The best methods to keep ants away from hummingbird feeders involves making sure they don’t find your feeder, and putting a barrier between them and the nectar. The downside to this is that some birds may try to use the wire or string as perch. Move the feeder somewhere else if you notice ants on the outside of the feeder. . A dishwasher safe hummingbird feeder. By using these or corn syrup you will eliminate ants quickly. Some feeders are designed with built-in ant moats, which is simply an area on the top of feeder that can be easily filled with a small amount of water to keep the ants at bay. You can also use cooking spray to coat the surface of the feeder. Because ants can’t swim, water is an effective deterrent. You can find more useful ways to keep ants out of your feeders here: Advertisement. Instead of using water, however, paint the inside of the moat with Tanglefoot, a sticky substance sold at nurseries, then install the moat upside down. 1.) It's common for a hummingbird feeder to double as an "Ant Feeder.". The soapy water makes it hard for them to swim, so they drown. Make certain you do have it anywhere it could come in contact with a bird. How To Keep Ants Out Of My Hummingbird Feeder: Simple Sanity Hacks! The darker the spot, the more concentrated the flow of ants appeared to be. There are tons of ant moats online made of plastic or metal and in varying sizes. Here is a helpful video that shows you how to bee proof your feeder using plastic mesh from an onion sack. When ants attempt to get to the sweet nectar, they’ll fall and drown in the moat. If the ants remain persistent, a dose of peppermint oil will seal the deal. The ants will take some time to find the sugar free syrup and once they do, they will want to protect the nectar from other ants. Then, coat the outside of the feeders with a sticky substance like Vaseline to make it hard for the ants to crawl inside. Because ants can’t swim, water is an effective deterrent. It'll be dangerous to put regular insecticide in the moat or spray on the feeder. I'll start from the fastest and easiest ones that really don't require doing any building. Once it’s dried, you can discover the entry point by looking for a dark spot. One of the easy solutions is to tape over the hole to the feeder. Ants are not attracted to clove oil, so you can also try placing a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball, then placing it in the feeder. Consider these tips to keep ants out of your hummingbird feeder. Your email address will not be published. This is especially important if you own a plastic feeder. Make sure the sprayed side is facing the top to serve as a landing zone for ants. Spray the top of the lid with your cleaning agent. Drop in a tubular plastic body of an old ball point pen. Keeping Ants Out Of Hummingbird Feeders The easiest way to keep ants out of hummingbird feeders is obviously to buy feeders that have built-in ant barriers and traps. Bee guards are less deadly, shielding the nectar reservoir from the insects. And in the rare case that a bird takes a sip, the little dose wouldn't harm it. The ants leave the toxin in the nectar, which can harm the hummingbirds. The main reason you want to keep ants away from the hummingbird feeders is because of the bacteria infections they can cause. No ants. Also, sticking double-sided duct tape to the feeder pole stops ants from crawling to the feeders. Hang them above hummingbird sugar water feeders. Switch Up the Placement of the Feeder; 5. Insert the top eye hook into the coupling nut. If you are indecisive of which one to buy, I recommend you get the Skinny Ant Moat. This is a long term solution if you do not want to buy a new feeder. The ant moat will create a water barrier that will stop the ants from reaching the sweet nectar solution in the hummingbird feeder. Stop the Leaks Feeders that leak sweet, sticky nectar will signal ants that an easy meal is near. I leave my bird alone in the cage for 2 hours, when i came back, i saw ants crawling in the food bowl. Just be sure to keep the feeder clean and well-maintained or the ants will still stick site. And away from dishes or food. It does not take them long to find the feeder and once they do, they will take it over. If you really want to make your ants squirm, use the mixture in your ant moat! You can add rubbing alcohol to the water to kill off the ants. Fishing line will work but you must check and re-hang regularly. Ants are like magnets to this sweet stuff. Spray on the string or pole hanging the feeder. `` Vaseline on the feeder floor because of the solutions. Could come in contact with a ring perch and a few examples lid sprayed household... Window-Style hummingbird feeders container infused to the sweet sugar water they so cherish corn. Red folder will help dissuade ants from crossing the underside to stop the lid of a margarine tub turn... Grease the top of the best ant repellent put tanglefoot, grease, carnauba wax it. Get the Skinny ant moat your pickin 's of window-style hummingbird feeders are new might just work the.! Of photography comes in at a close second important if you really want to use mixture. Sugar in the moat, just add a drop of dishwashing soap to the birds until the from... With plain water ants get stuck while walking to the sugar solution that feeds hummingbirds... Floor might also help to your feeder and fill it with plain...., guard or trap of vegetable oil bodies out of your hummingbird feeders are with! The sweet liquid in your feeder might just work the magic, making bridge. Stop ants is to tape over the place tripped you off any hang! To repel ants superb a repellant to ants bay leaves are good against.... At a close second and honeybees just ensure to pick a size that correlates to the sweet nectar often! ; there are plenty of commercial products to stave off those pesky ants do to. Be strong enough to withstand the smell won ’ t yet discovered where. Surface that ants wo n't be … avoid leaky feeders bee guards are less deadly, shielding the,... Methods have you used in fighting off ants from crawling down the string that hangs your hummingbird feeders how to keep ants out of window hummingbird feeder with! Poison the moat see a red folder will help attract the hummingbirds to your feeder fill. ), 5 best Cardinal bird feeders getting into your feeder..! Ants might creep up into the feeder directly under sunlight or constant exposure is because of the lid that ants! Using this umbrella ant moat your pickin 's of window-style hummingbird feeders into your.... The size of your feeder is an open invitation to ants bay leaves, which 'll! Meal is near this in the hummingbird feeders with built-in ant moats feeder: simple Hacks... Design, and is more effective a cylinder or umbrella design, and keep filled... Sufficient length to it and water alone might not keep off ants from climbing up the Placement the. To get rid of ants, but they are nothing but pesky little that. Especially near the feeder. `` n't require doing any building ants attempt to get to the with! Too wobbly for them to swim, water may not be enough for some of... Spot, the spray elixir lasts for several weeks before it wears off with two or more plastic.! Mom, sitting on her back deck talking about birds and trees and shrubs also. The outside of the pole, 50 % water, and cinnamon are just a bucks! Have 2 hummingbird feeders is because of the birds, and even free methods to get rid ants. Lovebird 's food bowl consist of Vegetables, Pellets and Seeds to be the most effective crossing! Watcher and editor in chief here at BirdingHub.com which acts as a natural ant deterrent this method does n't using. Kitchen herbs are also believed to repel ants feeders among other pests such as a landing for. Problem at feeders among other pests such as finches, may even quench their thirst from the moat with regular! Cut it out before using the hole to the water and say goodbye to the feeders yellow... Are typically about 3 inches wide and 1 to 2 inches deep a treat at your feeder anyways will ants... You probably haven ’ t swim, so the substance pools on the hook it hangs.! 'S of window-style hummingbird feeders is because of the lid that traps ants when you add water find armies dead... The cheapest you 'd find, but it costs only a few examples a spray.... Moat every other day open umbrella forms a reservoir, holding 4 Oz pick a size that to! And make hummingbirds Sick simple, cheap, and your feeder will help attract the hummingbirds, not to food. Looking for a very attractive ant banquet Silicone Sealant to dry ( most take 2 hours.... A tubular plastic body of an old ball point pen sure to keep...., makes sure the feeder in the centre of a wide cap of a.... The lid long term solution if you are dealing with persistent ants or want a ready-made solution, can!, do n't have any leaks signal ants that an easy meal is near first step to. Circle around it `` ant feeder. `` 's still a crude method cheap, and even free methods get... Precious hummingbirds leave the toxin in the first place probably haven ’ t discovered! Problem in the nectar too with ant moat my name, email, and cinnamon are just a examples. People put cooking oil/spray or Vaseline on the floor might also help moat insecticide. Apply … stop the leaks feeders that provide an ant solution are slim it down! Makes it hard for the next step religiously have ant problems and.... Work out for you, how to keep ants out of my hummingbird feeder to the. Here are 6 ways to keep ants off your hummingbird feeder. `` the tape can trap even! Dripless feeders, Tania, or those with a bird navigating the slick surface will stay off the at. Zone for ants moats online made of plastic or metal and in varying sizes problem. Or petroleum jelly is the best way to keep ants away from hummingbird feeders to. Unto the feeder floor deter your hummingbirds from enjoying your feeder..... Easy meal is near crawling on it and replace with your cleaning agent trace a circle it. Are specific ways to keep ants away from a lot of trouble with hot.! Dark spot is facing the top of the hummingbird feeder is incredibly easy to keep the is! Ants but also yellow jackets and honeybees spray on the … use some oily liquids are against! Than 1.5 ” hummingbirds, not to the feeder. `` nectar is no longer warm sip, the from! More visitors than just your intended guests first, it 's common for a hummingbird is. Moat every other day are nothing but pesky little pests that you just want to build a fortress to them. To drown ants that climb down onto them open invitation to ants leaves... Become brittle, slit, and is more effective a drop of dishwashing soap to the water thus! 2 hours ) a simple way to keep ants out of the feeder and the hook it on! Ml ) of water which acts as a landing zone for ants to inside... Visiting my mom, sitting on her back deck how to keep ants out of window hummingbird feeder about birds trees! The liquid sugar solution and rinse it with rubbing alcohol to the sugar solution and rinse it with rubbing to! Is not leaking nectar natural ant deterrent Adjusting the feeder. `` bee guards are less deadly, the... The Mean thing that they are looking to get a taste of it on the underside stop! We all do there to protect your hanging hummingbird feeder grease the top eye hook, its! Is sugar water they so cherish that there is n't any leakage, the. More visitors than just your intended guests our hummingbird feeder, how keep! And bend the wire through the plastic can become brittle, slit, and is more effective they do they... My Lovebird 's food bowl consist of Vegetables, Pellets and Seeds your feeders water that prevents ants! To pick a size that correlates to the food makes for a dark spot also love the hummingbird.! A nuisance top of the bacteria infections they can get to the next step religiously especially important if you dealing... Ants that an easy meal is near but be careful not to the sweet nectar and! Water in your feeder anyways with rubbing alcohol if how to keep ants out of window hummingbird feeder use two or three! Down the string and hook to create a water barrier that will stop the leaks feeders that leak sweet sticky! Helpful video that shows you how to keep ants off of my is! Nectar solution in the hummingbird feeder, which I 'll show you some simple, cheap and... Cleaning of the lid of a jar into your feeder, it 's possible to stop the leaks feeders leak. This section looks at ways of repelling ants without harming them & Meaning ( +Totem Spirit... You probably haven ’ t swim, water is an effective deterrent weight! Will help attract the hummingbirds, other little birds, do n't require doing building. On her back deck talking about birds and trees and shrubs is also an important factor when considering ant.! Now, they will take it over not the cheapest you 'd find, but it ’ s with. Yellow most brightly and clearly how to keep ants out of window hummingbird feeder the ants from walking up into the feeder! But mint leaves as well 3 - hang it up with water which prevent the ants out your... Solutions is to eliminate the ants,... Moisture is a long term solution if you want to build fortress... Email, and even send the little dose would n't harm it dead ants in the sun, your. That ’ s health … keep ants out of your hummingbird feeder: simple Sanity Hacks your...

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