how to keep ants away from humming bird feeders?

Question

ants

Answer 1

Coat the pole in Vaseline petroleum jelly. :) For more, see:
http://www.ehow.com/how_1029_keep-ants-bird.html

Good luck! :)

Answer 2

I have found a really terrific site that offers a great recipe for the nectar, explains why using food coloring and honey are not that great AND talks about ants. I'll list it below, and quote the part about ants here.

"Ants
They will find your feeder, unless you take precautions. Buy a dripless feeder; they really make a difference. Some feeder models feature a built-in ant moat that may be filled with water; don't use oil, since chickadees and other small birds like to drink from ant moats. You can make your own moat by running the hang wire through a hole in a spraycan top (use a dab of silicone sealer or hot glue to seal the hole). But the best defense against ants is to paint the inside bottom of an ant moat with Tanglefoot, a very sticky goo sold at nurseries, and install the moat open side down. This is extremely effective against ants, poses no risk of a bird getting stuck or contaminated, and is low maintenance, since it keeps the goo from being compromised by rain and dust.

I no longer recommend using duct tape or castor oil around suction cups or on hang wires. There's too much chance of a hummer brushing against it during feeder fights."

I hope that helps!

Answer 3

Ants like sugar water too. We also get wasps and bees.

You can spray ant and roach killer around the base of the hanging feeder that will help some.

Answer 4

look on the suitable of your feeder the place you carry it from. maximum feeders have a concave area around the hanger. if your feeder has this, fill it with vegetable oil. that's what it incredibly is meant for.