How to Keep Ants off a Bird Feeder

Anything sweet - such as nectar for hummingbirds - attracts ants. Carefully applied nontoxic insect repellents or barriers can keep them at bay.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cloves
• Vinegar
• Vinegar
• Vaseline
• Nontoxic Insect Repellents
• Adhesive Tape
• Adhesive Tape

1. Fill feeder with nectar and hang as usual.

2. Spray or apply a nontoxic insect repellent on hanging wire of feeder and at the base where the wire comes into the feeder.

3. Spray or coat tree or eave the feeder is hanging from.

Tips & Warnings

• Other substances that discourage ants are petroleum jelly, applied as suggested above; vinegar or powdered cloves applied to ant trails; and adhesive tape applied sticky-side-out to the hanging wire.
• Moving the feeder to another location may discourage ants - at least temporarily.
• Never use insecticide near feeders where it might be ingested by birds.
• Avoid applying insect repellent directly into or around feeder ports.

[cjdugas]

on 6/27/2009 Just spray the top of the feeder and the wire/hanger with "PAM" and no ants!

[stevelvv]

on 5/8/2009 A great deterrent is cinnamon oil. Smells great, ants hate it and wont cross over the wire or chain holding your feeder. I use it in the summer around the window sills in the kitchen and that keeps them from coming inside.

[rexibew]

on 8/10/2008 How can I keep bigger birds from landing on my feeder and spilling all the sugar water?

[ronmar]

on 8/4/2008 I use cornmeal to get rid of ants because they cannot digest it but will carry it to the nest and all will eat it and die. As for the bird feeder, I spread it at the base and on top of the feeder. It has to be replaced when it rains but will keep the ants at bay. I use it in any place where I see ants and this summer have only seen a few now and then.

[crappiecat]

on 6/20/2008 put some automotive bearing grease on hanging wire. won't melt as bad as vaseline. lasts until it gets dirty/dusty. wipe off old, add new grease.