Ants in my feeder! (1 Viewer)

[sandrinhalee]

Does anyone else have problems with ants in the hummingbird feeder? I have my feeder sitting on a window sill, not hanging, because that's the best visibility from the window. I don't want to spray or sprinkle anything that will hurt or drive off the hummers.

I tried setting the feeder on some dryer sheets because I read online that it would help. And it did -- for about an hour. Then, full of ants again!

I would love to hear any suggestions!!!

 

[KC Foggin]

Sorry I don't have better news but as long as your feeder is resting on a surface, there will be an ant problem. They do have hangers with sunction cups that you can attach to the window but if there isn't a space between the feeder and the glass, you will still have problems. If you can manage some space then an ant guard cup attached to the top of the feeder before hanging it at the window, should eliminate most of your problem.

 

[D. Taylor]

I solved my ant and wasp problem with a HumZinger feeder. I has a built in ant moat and plastic inserts that keep wasp and bees out. The top keep sunlight out and the feed last longer.
Here is the website
http://www.hummzinger.biz/humzinger.htm They are great for getting photos without the feeder showing up. Good luck.

 

[Lisa W]

If you don't mind reapplying (sometimes daily depending on weather), a small amount of Pam - the cooking spray - will work. Spray it on your finger and then rub it between the suction cup and the feeder. Ants don't like to cross it. Works very well for me at the bottom of the pole feeder I have.

 

[JeanetteD]

I have heard using cinnamon. since your feeder is on a surface just sparkle on the surface. I put some on the ground since they came up on my porch there is know ants on my porch. I have never had trouble with my feeders. on the little water cups I turn them upside down and put vicks on the little part in side and woot woot no ants. plus when I can't smell the vicks anymore I know I better put more on the little part inside.

 

[wings]

If you consider getting one of the hanging feeders, you can purchase an accessory water receptacle (made specially for hanging feeders) at Wild Birds Unlimited. Ants will not go past the water receptacle which hangs above the feeder.

 

[Rose Fletcher]

Lisa W's trick works for me as well - I had ants coming down the chain of my hanging Honeyeater feeder. The cooking oil spray is so far the only solution that works for me, as we can't buy feeders with water receptacles here. Except in the hottest weather, I only need to reapply every three days, but as it catches dust, I do have to take the feeder down and wash the chain after a while.

 

[jrwilton]

I tried Pam but it didn't last very long. I agree that Vicks works very well if you decide to use a hanging feeder.

 

[humminbird]

Please do not use Pam or any other slippery substance. Bird rehabbilitators report numerous injuries from birds trying to perch on wires coated with this garbage.

The safest, and in my experience most effective means of controlling ants is to use an ant moat (container of water) positioned above (or on in the case of the hummzinger feeder) the feeder. In Texas, you may have to apply a drop or two of cooking oil to slow evaporation.

 

[jrwilton]

Please do not use Pam or any other slippery substance. Bird rehabbilitators report numerous injuries from birds trying to perch on wires coated with this garbage.

The safest, and in my experience most effective means of controlling ants is to use an ant moat (container of water) positioned above (or on in the case of the hummzinger feeder) the feeder. In Texas, you may have to apply a drop or two of cooking oil to slow evaporation.

That's very interesting. Thanks for the information. I've not heard that. What type of injuries were reported?