How to Keep Flies & Ants Away From Oriole Feeders

Oranges and nectar are favorite foods of the oriole. Unfortunately, these sweet foods also easily attract ants and flies, which may keep orioles away from the bird feeder ... and even your backyard. The key to keeping orioles returning for more is keeping the feeder clean and blocking the pathway for ants.

Things You'll Need

• Chalk
• Soap
• Water
• Scrub brush

Instructions

1. Take the feeder in at night and throw out old food. The fruit that orioles eat will attract flies and ants within 24 hours. By throwing away old food every night, you will give the insects less time to move in.

2. Clean the feeder with soap and water every night. This will remove any rotting sweet smells that might attract flies and ants.

3. Put oriole food in a flat bird-feeding bowl (or plate). Place this bowl in a larger bird bath that is filled with water. The orioles can land on the feeder but the ants will not be able to swim to get to the food.

4. Rub a thick and broad chalk line around the ants' access points. Ants will not walk across thick layers of chalk. You can stop them by rubbing chalk around the base of feeders or the feeder's hanger.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use any insecticides or chemicals to kill the flies or ants. Doing so will most likely kill the birds as well.

References

• Audubon Bird Feeding Basics
• The Best Control Ants