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    stuck8879's Avatar
    stuck8879 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jun 28, 2009, 01:29 PM
    Keeping ants out of a hummingbird feeder
    How can I keep ants from taking over a hanging hummingbird feeder?
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jun 28, 2009, 02:20 PM

    Put diatamceous earth around the bottom. They can't crawl over the powder, it cuts off their ugly little feet ! You can get, hopefully, diatamceous earth at any garden center.

    Tick
    Stringer's Avatar
    Stringer Posts: 3,733, Reputation: 770
    Business Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jun 28, 2009, 02:28 PM

    Good response Tickle.

    Another way is a device that is sold in most home stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, etc) beside the feeders usually in the stores. It comes in metal or plastic. It is bell shaped and has a hook on top of it. Hang the hooked bell and then hang the hummingbird feeder from it. I had the same problem this stopped it.

    Stringer
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
    Pest Control Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jun 28, 2009, 05:30 PM
    Good ideas here. I would lean in the direction of the diatomaceous earth or even a repellant insecticide at the base of the feeder. Ants are nothing if not persistent. The only barrier I have seen them unable to cross is flowing water.

    A better solution would be to follow their trail, if possible, back to the anthill and use some bait designed to kill the queen.
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
    Pest Control Expert
    		  
    #5

    Jun 28, 2009, 06:00 PM
    Stringer agrees: Good idea... from an expert... But my little 'bell' IS WORKING Cats... :)

    I hope it keeps on working. I am constantly looking for ideas that do. In September send me a link. Please.
    Stringer's Avatar
    Stringer Posts: 3,733, Reputation: 770
    Business Expert
    		  
    #6

    Jun 28, 2009, 06:24 PM

    Got it...
    letmetellu's Avatar
    letmetellu Posts: 3,151, Reputation: 317
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    #7

    Jun 28, 2009, 07:38 PM

    If your feeder is hanging from a wire you can tied a piece of cloth on the wire a foot or so above the feeder and saturate the cloth with kerosine of turpentine. This last for several days at a time.
    spleenless9's Avatar
    spleenless9 Posts: 47, Reputation: 4
    Junior Member
    		  
    #8

    Jul 6, 2009, 07:26 PM
    I've never had this problem, but I've heard you can use Vaseline on whatever the feeder is hanging from to stop the ants from getting to the it.
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
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    #9

    Jul 7, 2009, 02:45 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by spleenless9 View Post
    I've never had this problem, but I've heard you can use Vaseline on whatever the feeder is hanging from to stop the ants from getting to the it.
    I've seen that tried, but it seems like the ants are too light to be bothered by petroleum jelly. I have heard it works well on other feeders to keep squirrels out.
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