Protect A Hummingbird Feeder From Relentless Ants With An Easy DIY Solution

Ants love the sugar water in hummingbird feeders almost as much as hummingbirds do. As any bird-watching enthusiast knows, getting rid of tenacious ants can be beyond frustrating, especially when you work hard to keep your feeder full of fresh sugar water only to have annoying ants show up and steal it all. Keep the ants away with an easy DIY solution — make your own ant moat using an old detergent cap and coat hanger. 

Ants at the hummingbird feeder often pop up from seemingly nowhere — though remember that there are certain flowers that attract ants, so keep those away from your feeder. While ants don't usually harm hummingbirds directly, they can clog the holes in your feeder. Ants bring bacteria, too, which can contaminate the nectar. Not to mention, a bunch of ants at the feeder often deters hummingbirds from feeding at all.

To solve the problem, you can learn how to get rid of ants in the garden, or you can employ a few targeted strategies. You could move the feeder, or add a slippery coat of Vaseline to your feeder's hook. But if petroleum jelly gets on a hummingbird's wings, it makes it harder for them to fly, so use sparingly. A safer option is an ant moat, a container you fill with water and hook above your feeder. You can make one cheaply and easily with items you probably already have at home. Just grab a detergent cap, a glue gun, a wire hanger, and pliers.

While you can buy an ant moat starting at $7, why spend the money when you can repurpose old trash? Take a plastic cap from your laundry detergent jug. If you have a red one, that's best, as hummingbirds love the color red. Avoid using a yellow cap, since yellow can sometimes attracts wasps. If you don't have a laundry cap, you can also cut a plastic bottle in half to use for your moat.

Wash your cap thoroughly, and then drill or poke a hole in the bottom. Take a wire coat hanger and cut a piece about 6 or so inches long. You'll want to thread it through the hole in your plastic cap and then bend it on both ends, so you can hook it onto the feeder at the bottom, and then attach it to the hook or branch where you want to hang the feeder. If you want a sturdier hook, buy a couple of eye hooks and bolts from your hardware store.

To ensure the plastic cap doesn't leak, seal the inside of the cap near the hole with a silicone waterproof sealant or a few swipes of your glue gun. A generous application is best, since you don't want water from your moat leaking out onto the feeder. Then, it's time to add water and hang your feeder. Don't forget that the right time to put out your hummingbird feeder depends on where you live.