Dunatic

I wanted to photograph Hummingbirds, so I got a feeder for Mother's Day. Set it up, got a few birds...then the ants invaded! I sprayed the base of the pole, they still managed to climb vertically up the pole about six feet. Just to annoy me, I guess and drive away my birds. So, my Aunt Mary said, grease the pole with vegetable oil and the ants will go away. She said keep the feeder with fresh sugar water and the birds will come back...well... They haven't come back, the water is clean, no ants in view... Anybody have suggestions or another way to keep the ant population to a minimum (rather none) and a way to interest the Hummers back to my feeder? I appreciate your advice. Cheryl

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

The hummers are still migrating and the ones that will stay will be around soon. I've had a few come and go and more will come and stay.
As far as the ants go ... Raid ant spray does well.

Dunatic

Thank you! I thought, what have I been doing wrong especially since they were around for about a week...then seemed to disappear! Just when I was getting used to photographing them (a bit). They sure are hard to photograph, but I have my tripod set up, drink my coffee and wait (when I'm not busy that is). Again, appreciate your reply. Cheryl

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

You're welcome. Just make sure your shutter is set around 2000 or higher to freeze them.

Singing Swan

Shortening...as in Crisco or a generic equivalent works better than just vegetable oil. Smear the wires you hang the feeder with, and at a point all the way around the pole about a foot from the feeder. Make a gooey barrier with the shortening, coat the feeder hanger with a gloppy smear and the ants can't cross it. Sorta works like flypaper. Best solution I've ever found and it's quite effective.

Nickey Loc: Arizona

Be patient... if you put it out there, they will come. I have a feeder too for the little guys. I have a few of them that decided to stay year round. Just make sure you always have food for them. As far as ants, I guess I got lucky on that area because I don't have that problem. My problem are the other birds, not hummers, that are trying to drink off the bird feeder too. Oh well, have to feed them too. Have fun with your hummers.

ngc1514 Loc: Atlanta, Ga., Lancaster, Oh. and Stuart, Fl.

Most companies that build feeders for hummers also provide ant traps for them.

http://www.amazon.com/Trap-It-Moat-Hummingbird-Feeders-Bulk/dp/B001BZNWVM

MJL Loc: Wild Rose, Wisconsin

These are the best ones I have found. Fill them with water, the ants won't cross water and problem is solved. Very effective, and you don't have to mess with oil or grease. You have found that once ants get in and contaminate the feeder, the hummingbirds won't return. I suggest you temporarily move your feeder to another location to sort of fool them to try the "new" feeder. They will however, eventually return to the previously contaminated one if it is kept clean and the food is fresh.

Cas Loc: Maine

Cheryl, my name too. I have the answer! A friend gave me a tin can, about the size of tuna fish can. The person that made it, drilled a hole in the center, places a small piece of wood (dowel) inside, screwed a hook from the bottom into the wood (which had been sealed in the can and then another hook in the top of the dowel. Hook your feeder to the bottom hook and fill the can with water. The ants go into the water, can't get out and drown. Your feeder is safe

allen finley photography Loc: Sunshine State.

I use vaseline, smear it on and forget it. I have a lid attached under the cats food dish, smear vaseline into the rim and no ants in the food bowl.

kcj Loc: Seneca SC

Hi you can go to walmart and buy a device that fits between the stand and the feeder cost about $ 6.00 this will keep the ants away for a full seaso. Also have some red around the feeder like red geraniums or a little red ribbon tied on the pole . they love red. also don"t put it to deep in the trees. I have mine out in the open. But don"t keep them out during the winter . When it starts to get cold take them down so they leave. they will come back in the spring. But if you try to feed in the winter they will die.
KCJ

Nickey Loc: Arizona

I agree with you. In places where the winters can get too cold, I would stop feeding so they will migrate to somewhere warm. I live in Arizona, so the hummers are safe here year round, and because of that, I feed them year round. Some sort of an unspoken understanding that if I feed them they will stay. These hummers have given me a year round entertainment.

colo43 Loc: Eastern Plains of Colorado

I soak the ground and base of the pole with WD40 and it really does the trick.

bullwinkle Loc: New Hartford, Missouri

I'll have to give this one a try. Makes sense, and easy to make. Thanks for sharing the idea.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Don't assume that Hummingbirds can not tolerate cold weather nor assume that if you keep your feeder out they might be tempted to stay. Ornithologists are finding out that some of the Rufous Hummingbirds that live on the west coast have established a second migratory route down the east coast. some of these birds may be coming from as far as Alaska and spend their winters in Lousiana. Some of those birds are found migrating as late as December and into January! Hummers are not totally reliant on nectar (or your sugar water) but also eat small insects which they glean off of leaves and bark. Even during the winter, dormant insects can be found. I have personally photographed not only Rufous but Allen's, Anna's and Broad Tailed here on the East Coast in winter. They are rare, but it does happen. Most of these "extralimitals" get trapped and banded and then released in hopes that they may be sighted at a later date. One of the Rufous Hummers that I photographed in Jacobsburg Pennsylvania last January had been banded the year before in Louisiana.

So, keep your feeder out a little longer if you want. You never know who might show up. And remember, use nothing but pure white sugar to make your nectar: 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water. No food coloring is needed. NEVER, EVER use honey or raw sugar as it contains too much iron for the Hummers and will kill them!

Rufous Hummingbird in Jacobsburg PA November 2011, note the band on his leg!


Broad tailed Hummingbird in Cape May, NJ. March 2012. Spent the winter at a feeder that had been left out!