There's ants in my feeder! (1 Viewer)

[Luvinhummets]

Hi from Sandy Valley! I'm LuvinHummers. I have a feeder that the ants like and now there are "preserved" ants in it. Should I toss what's in them? I have cinnamon oil I can put on the chain.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

I would throw out any food in the feeder and give it a thorough clean.

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, welcome to the forum on behalf of the staff and moderators. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group. I would toss, clean, and refill. You could also get an ant moat that goes between the feeder and the holder, I would do that if you could instead of the oil. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Hummingbird-Feeders-3-5-Inch-Diameter/dp/B0072BVU4A/ref=asc_df_B0072BVU4A/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198094260868&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15846094609267812286&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033075&hvtargid=pla-351751613667&psc=1

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum.

Rich

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there and a warm welcome to you .
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

 

[Luvinhummets]

Hi, welcome to the forum on behalf of the staff and moderators. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group. I would toss, clean, and refill. You could also get an ant moat that goes between the feeder and the holder, I would do that if you could instead of the oil. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Hummingbird-Feeders-3-5-Inch-Diameter/dp/B0072BVU4A/ref=asc_df_B0072BVU4A/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198094260868&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15846094609267812286&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033075&hvtargid=pla-351751613667&psc=1

I do believe that the feeder already has a moat and I didn't realize it! It's small and living in the desert I'll have to refill it several times a day but I'm pretty sure I can reach out my kitchen window to do that. If that doesn't work I'll be sure to order some moats.
Thank you and have a hum dinger of a day! 🤗

 

[Lisa W]

I do believe that the feeder already has a moat and I didn't realize it! It's small and living in the desert I'll have to refill it several times a day but I'm pretty sure I can reach out my kitchen window to do that. If that doesn't work I'll be sure to order some moats.
Thank you and have a hum dinger of a day! 🤗

That is good! I lived in AZ for many years and as hot as it would get, I would only fill once a day.

 

[Fritz73]

Welcome to Birdforum

 

[delia todd]

Hi Luvinhummets and a warm welcome from me too.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

 

[Tired]

You do need to clean the feeder pretty frequently anyway, as bird feeders concentrate the birds in one spot and must be kept clean to reduce disease spread. So I wouldn't expect many ants to be building up. If it's a hummingbird feeder like I'm guessing, it should really be cleaned at least twice a week, since that sugar provides a breeding ground for bacteria. Remember not to use anything but pure white sugar, no dye or anything.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you get some good birds at your feeder.