Nothing can dampen the joy of watching hummingbirds zip around your feeders like a battalion of ants marching their way to a free sugar feast. These industrious insects can quickly overrun your nectar oasis, leaving you frustrated and your hummingbird guests without a clean dining experience.
Luckily, there are several tried-and-true methods to keep ants away while maintaining a haven for these delightful birds. Here’s a list of ten effective ways on how to keep ants off hummingbird feeder
1. Use Ant Moats
An ant moat is a simple yet effective device that acts as a barrier between ants and the nectar. It’s essentially a small cup filled with water that’s placed above the feeder. When ants attempt to crawl down to the feeder, they encounter this watery obstacle and can’t cross.
For best results, choose a moat that is deep enough to drown the ants but not so deep that it requires excessive maintenance. Ideally, the moat should hold at least 2-3 ounces of water. Keeping ant moats filled daily, particularly in hot climates where evaporation is faster.
Ant moats are often built into the feeders, but separate moats that can be attached to the hanger wire are also available. Make sure to add a few drops of vegetable oil to slow evaporation and create a slick surface that further deters ants.
2. Apply Petroleum Jelly or Cooking Oil
Applying a slick substance, like petroleum jelly or cooking oil, to the pole or hanger that supports your feeder can create a slippery surface that ants struggle to climb. This technique works because the slick texture prevents ants from gaining any traction as they attempt to ascend.
Petroleum jelly is effective for up to a week, after which it should be reapplied. (ref) However, be cautious with this method and use it sparingly. Too much petroleum jelly can cause a sticky mess that may trap hummingbirds or other insects. A light coating on the wire or pole should suffice.
For a more eco-friendly alternative, try using non-toxic cooking oils like olive or coconut oil.
3. Hang Feeders Using Fishing Line
Fishing lines are too thin and slippery for ants to navigate, making it an excellent material to suspend your feeder and prevent ant invasions. Because the line is nearly invisible, it also adds an aesthetic touch, making the feeder appear to float in mid-air.
To implement this trick, tie a strong fishing line to a branch or pole and attach your feeder to the other end. Choose a fishing line with at least a 10-pound test to handle the weight of a fully loaded feeder.
The smooth, narrow surface prevents ants from maintaining their grip. This is an excellent strategy when combined with other methods like ant moats or petroleum jelly.
4. Create a Barrier with Sticky Tape
Sticky tape, like Tanglefoot or similar products, forms a physical barrier that traps ants trying to cross it. The concept is similar to how flypaper works, with the sticky adhesive immobilizing ants that try to crawl over it.
Wrap a band of sticky tape around the pole, branch, or hanger from which your feeder hangs. Make sure the tape doesn’t come into direct contact with the feeder or the hummingbirds themselves.
Check the tape regularly to see if it needs replacement or reapplication. One downside of this method is that the adhesive can become messy if overapplied, and it may trap other insects unintentionally.
5. Move the Feeder
Changing the feeder’s location can confuse and disorient ants, reducing their numbers or eliminating them altogether. Ants typically rely on scent trails to find food, and a moved feeder can disrupt their carefully planned paths.
Find a new spot, ideally one that is not directly in the ants’ usual path. Try placing the feeder farther away from trees or plants where ants typically reside. Moving your feeder periodically keeps ants from creating a consistent trail to the nectar.
Place the feeder at least 10 feet from the previous location and ensure it’s not under dense foliage or close to ground cover where ants may nest. Doing so can break the scent trail and discourage ants from returning.
6. Clean Feeders Regularly
Ants are drawn to the nectar, but they’re also attracted to the sticky residue on feeders. Keeping your feeder clean will help reduce the ant problem.
Wash your feeders thoroughly with hot water and mild dish soap every few days. Scrub the feeding ports with a brush to remove any residual nectar. Rinse the feeders thoroughly to remove all traces of soap before refilling them with fresh nectar.
It’s best to use a cleaning brush designed specifically for hummingbird feeders to ensure thorough cleaning. You can also soak the feeder in a solution of one part white vinegar and four parts water for deep cleaning. Regular cleaning not only deters ants but also prevents harmful mold or bacteria growth.
7. Use an Ant-Repellent Barrier
Some bird enthusiasts have found success using natural ant-repellent substances like cinnamon, peppermint oil, or cayenne pepper as a deterrent. These natural repellents disrupt ants’ scent trails and discourage them from approaching the feeder.
Sprinkle cinnamon or cayenne pepper around the base of the feeder pole, or add a few drops of peppermint oil to the pole or hanger. Ants tend to avoid these strong-smelling substances, which can help keep them at bay. Make sure to reapply after rain or high humidity.
Alternatively, you can soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them strategically around the feeder area. Anecdotal evidence from bird lovers suggests that cinnamon is particularly effective because it sticks to ants’ legs, irritating them as they try to walk.
8. Create an Artificial Ant Trail
One counterintuitive trick is to lure ants away from your feeder by creating a more attractive decoy trail with sugar water. This approach involves creating a secondary food source that distracts ants from the primary feeder.
Place a shallow dish with a higher concentration of sugar water a few feet away from the feeder. The ants will likely be drawn to this new source and will establish a new trail leading away from the hummingbird feeder. Monitor and refresh the decoy regularly.
Use a dish with at least a 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio to make it irresistible to ants. Once ants are lured to the decoy, gradually move the dish farther away until it’s far enough that they don’t find their way back.
9. Seal Off Leaks and Cracks
Leaky feeders or small cracks that allow nectar to escape can be like a neon sign for ants, inviting them to your feeding station. Ants are naturally attracted to sugary scents, and even a small leak can attract an army.
Check your feeders for leaks and repair them or replace defective ones. Ensure that the feeding ports close properly and don’t overfill the feeders to prevent accidental spills. Use Teflon tape or silicone sealant to fix minor leaks and cracks.
Additionally, consider switching to feeders with a top-fill design to minimize the risk of spills when refilling. Repairing leaks promptly can prevent ants and other insects from swarming the feeder.
10. Opt for Specialized Feeders
Some modern hummingbird feeders are designed specifically to deter ants and other insects. These specialized feeders incorporate innovative features like built-in ant moats, bee guards, and no-drip designs.
Look for feeders with built-in ant moats or feeding ports that are too small for ants but accessible to hummingbirds. Some feeders use inverted feeding ports, which prevent leaking and keep ants out.
Additionally, feeders with built-in bee guards can prevent bees and wasps from gaining access. Choosing the right feeder can make a world of difference in preventing ants from accessing the nectar.
Implementing any or a combination of these methods can help ensure that your hummingbird feeders remain ant-free and welcoming to the colorful visitors you want to attract. Try a few of these strategies to find what works best for your garden!
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.