skip to main content

Hummingbird Garden

Keeping Ants out of the feeder

18 years ago

Hello everyone, I hope you can help me. We have a large ant problem in our area. I have two feeders up, one on the front porch which the ant's can't seem to get to, but the second one which is hanging on a garden hook in the back yard is my problem area. I was successful in the past of keeping the ants out by liberally applying vaseline all over the garden hook - but lately it seems that this does not work, the ant's somehow manage to get to the feeder - so I have stopped filling that feeder up and taken it down, but my hummers know it's been there and it breaks my heart to see them come look for their treat and not have it there, we put it right outside our window so we get a good view of them when they come to feed, of course, I have plenty of flowering plants that they later visit - but they like their sugar water don't they? any advice on preventing these little pests from getting in my feeder?

Thank you.

aprille

Comments (4)

kimpa zone 9b N. Florida.
18 years ago
My feeder has a built in ant cup that holds water they will not cross. Though, when I lived in Union City, CA we had so many ants they would lay themselves across the water to make a bride so other ants could cross. They really are determined! I bought an ant cup at Home Depot that attaches to an existing feeder and blocks the ants. It was only a few dollars and may be what you need. Good Luck!
aprille
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks kimpa, that's exactly what they do with the vaseline - some just sacrifice themselves so the other's could get to the feeder, then they probably all drown! (I hope). I'll get an ant cup.

aprille
Related Discussions
built-in ant moat
Q
Comments (8)
fritzmom....this feeder is not on a pole. I have a front porch roof overhang, and I have it hanging at the edge. I took a metal coat hanger and cut a straight length (about 10"). Then I took pliars and bent the ends up a little making a hook on each end. The way I have it hanging: Christmas light "S" hook: (it really looks more like the figure "8") The top part of the "S" hook is hooked into one of the grooves at the end of my porch overhang. My hanger that I made is hooked into the bottom part of the "S" hook. Hope this all makes sense. I do have some ant traps out, but they are not in the same area as this feeder, maybe about 20 feet away and in the back yard. The ants have to get to my feeder by crawling up onto the roof. Do you think anywhere on the ground underneath the feeder would be ok for ant traps? I'm wondering if I should put one on the roof...lol.
...See More
How long to keep feeder out...
Q
Comments (9)
I'm in San Antonio, and I keep my feeders out for at least two weeks after I see the last hummer. Usually through October. My regular hummers have been gone a while, but I am getting a few migrants on their way south. Today a female that has been here for a couple of days. She seems ravenous for the blooms and will spend several minutes working on them before going to a feeder. With our hot weather ending and some rain finally, everything I have has exploded into bloom.
...See More
Keep Humming Bird feeders out in December for the Rufous
Q
Comments (6)
Sugar water is a little harder to freeze with a 4-1 water to sugar mixture should be good all the way to 21 degrees, a 3-1 mixture should even be better and still be ok for the Hummers. Do NOT fill the glass bottle to the top, leave room for expansion if freezing occurs. Also you can take in overnight and keep warm and put out early in morning before little guys come out. Here is a link that might be useful: More on sugar water freezing point
...See More
Any way to keep bees out of my Oriole feeder?
Q
Comments (1)
Same thing happened to me once, and I felt awful and took it down. You can buy them now with bee guards on them. Try a birding store, and you'll be more likely to find one of those. Take it down, and put some orange halves and jelly out for the orioles, until you find a feeder with a bee guard.
...See More
kimpa zone 9b N. Florida.
18 years ago
Make a bride! I mean make a bridge! Well you know what I meant. Hope it works. Kim

PS I put vaseline on my other feeder and they just trailed right over it like it wasn't there. Our east coast ants must wear snowshoes year round!
collette_az
18 years ago
I sprayed Pam on the hook and it worked!

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

PETS 10 Tips for Keeping Indoor Cats Healthy and Happy

By Laura Gaskill

It's National Cat Day: Ask not what your cat can do for you (because it will ignore you) but what you can do for your cat

MODERN ARCHITECTURE Keep Your Big Windows — and Save Birds Too

Reduce bird strikes on windows with everything from architectural solutions to a new high-tech glass from Germany

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

FURNITURE How to Keep Your Upholstery Looking Good

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

You wouldn't expect your car to maintain itself. Show your sofa and chairs the same courtesy with this 3-part strategy

FEEL-GOOD HOME What Really Makes Us Happy at Home? Find Out From a New Houzz Survey

By Mitchell Parker

Great design has a powerful impact on our happiness in our homes. So do good cooking smells, family conversations and, yes, big-screen TVs

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Decor to Make Your Eyes Bug Out

By Noelani Zervas

Insects are marching to a different tune these days, showing up on knobs, teapots and even tablecloths

FEEL-GOOD HOME How to Carve Out a Corner Just for You

By Laura Gaskill

You may not have an entire room where you can get away for meditation or a catnap, but a retreat is still within reach

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Healthy Home Habitats for Northern Flickers

By Habitat Network

These colorful woodpeckers found across the U.S. and Canada love berries, seeds and ants and often nest in deep burrows in trees

GARDENING GUIDES Attract Hummingbirds and Bees With These Beautiful Summer Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Roll out a welcome mat for pollinators to keep your landscape in balance and thriving

HOME TECH To Feed and Protect: Care for Your Pet From Afar With New Devices

You might miss the nuzzles, but your dog or cat won't miss food, water or monitoring with these high-tech feeders and cameras

Sponsored

More Discussions

Do you see what I see?

1