Hummingbird Feeders and Ants

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Xeramtheum Summerville, SC(Zone 8a) Jul 28, 2006

I'd like to hear from people who have figured out a simple way to keep ants out of their hummingbird feeders. I've tried bug spray, vaseline, water and other stuff that just didn't work.

Thanks!

X

Thumbnail by Xeramtheum
Post #2560237
Quote
fly_girl The Woodlands, TX(Zone 8b) Jul 29, 2006

My feeder is on one of those shepherd hooks, so I rub a stripe of vaseline 3/4 of the way up the pole. The vaseline is not near the feeder, but the ants can't get past.

Post #2560964
Quote
White_Hydrangea Aurora, CO(Zone 5a) Jul 29, 2006

I can't remember the garden catalog I saw it in, but it was awfully cute. It was a little bowl in the shape of an upside down umbrella. You hooked it between the upper hook and the hummingbird feeder and filled it with water. The ants would not be able to negotiate the water, and they'd drown before ever getting to the feeder.

They had a plain one, too. Fairly cheap, under $10.

Post #2561085
Quote
Xeramtheum Summerville, SC(Zone 8a) Jul 29, 2006

I bought one of those bowls .. about 100 ants would commit suicide to create a bridge of ant bodies across the water .. same thing with the vaseline. These guys are determined!

X

Post #2561114
Quote
Marzar Milford, PA Jul 30, 2006

I've had some luck with hanging the feeder from a length of fishing line. It seems as though the ants can't get a good hold on the line. About 6 inches to a foot of line works pretty well.

Post #2565930
Quote
Xeramtheum Summerville, SC(Zone 8a) Jul 30, 2006

Now that's one I havent tried! thanks Marzar.

X

Post #2566283
Quote
Indy Alexandria, IN(Zone 6a) Jul 31, 2006

Thanks, Marzar.

I have had good results with a can filled not quite full with water hanging above the feeder.

Post #2568449
Quote
liebran Valencia, PA(Zone 5b) Aug 01, 2006

I use the hummzinger feeder which has a small, built in ant moat. It works here for us. Karen Liebran

Post #2573234
Quote
gardenwife Newark, OH(Zone 5b) Aug 02, 2006

I take the smallest Glad disposable food containers and poke a tiny hole in the container part, then string my wire through it. On the inside of the "bell", I smear a bit of petroleum jelly. That's worked very well for me. I've also turned the containers upright and used silicone caulk to seal the hole around the wire, then filled the container with water. That is not as foolproof since the caulk is not leakproof if the wire gets pulled, and the water can also evaporate.

Post #2576407
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Garden Pests and Diseases Threads

Go to all Garden Pests and Diseases threads
BACK TO TOP