How can I kill ants by my hummingbird feeder without harming the birds?
I have a hummingbird feeder, and ants have just discovered it. I want some way to kill them without any risk of harming the birds – Trying to avoid an ant maybe dragging a little poison on the feeder, the birds attracted to the poison, etc.
Ant guards are available that you can hang your feeder from which have a chemical barrier and require little maintenance.
Answer:
Probably the best way though to solve your hummingbird feeder bees and wasp feeder problem and to also eliminate any ant feeder problems you might have, is to use a feeder that is specially designed to keep hummingbird feeder bees, wasps and ants out of the hummingbird nectar.
Here is the best solution to How To Keep Ants Out Of Hummingbird Feeders, and how to solve your hummingbird feeder bees and wasp problem at the same time … buy the ant moat feeder below and your insect problems will be over.

Aspects 12oz Humzinger Ultra With Nectar Guard
It’s only $28.18 and has several features that makes it well worth the price.
The Humzinger has patented Nectar guard tips which are flexible membranes attached to the feed ports that prohibit entry from flying insects, but allow Hummingbirds to feed as usual. The Humzinger also has a built in ant moat that will stop crawling insects from getting to the nectar. It also has raised flower ports that divert rain.
This mid-size hummingbird nectar feeder has a 12 oz. capacity and can be hung or post mounted with hardware provided. It has four feeding ports for hummingbirds and is made of unbreakable polycarbonate.
Thanks a lot!
We clean our Hummingbird feeder about once a week. We have it hanging high up, but occasionally ants do get to it. Just remove the feeder, spray, clean the feeder, and put it back. Be sure to clean the feeder often so you dont have an ant problem!
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Comments
Comment from dapunkin2001
Time September 2, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Thankfully I don’t have a problem with ants getting to my hummer feeder, but I do have bees that tend to sting them. Here is an article I found that might be helpful to you. I also read that non stick cooking spray works.
ANTS also sometimes infest hummingbird feeders. No matter what you do, they seem to eventually be able to get to any feeder. To deter them, put a light coat of vegetable oil on the string from which the feeder hangs. The coating will have to be reapplied weekly. You can also buy "ant traps," which are devices that hang above the feeder and, when filled with plain water, form a moat that keeps smaller ants from getting to the sugar water. Larger ants often dive right into the moat, however. Some folks have success with using very fine fishing line (monofilament) to hang the hummingbird feeder; it may be too smooth for the ants to climb, but be sure it’s strong enough to hold up the feeder.
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Comment from Ash
Time September 2, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Go have a look at your local supermarket. They should have something called ant sugar. It comes in a shaker jar, and looks like white powder or sugar. Im not sure if they sell it in the UK, USA, and other areas though. Most of them are non toxic to mammals, marsupials, and reptiles.
Or alternatively, you could possibly relocate the feeder away from the ant nest? Otherwise your only other option is to destroy the ant nest, or lure them away from the feeder with some honey or something sweet to prevent them from going back to the feeder.
Hope this helps you and good luck =]
References :
Proud breeder and owner of over 300 birds
Comment from SearVogel
Time September 2, 2010 at 9:21 pm
you didnt say what type of ants you have. but diazinon granules – 5% – is a good wayto start. spread it on the ground of a rate of about one granule per square inch for at least 10 feet from the base to edge of perimeter.
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10 years of working pest control of which 4 years i had my own company
Comment from ?
Time September 2, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Mix hot water and white vinegar and with a clean cloth wipe some on the feeder, but Not where the birds eat from, then also pour some on the ground underneath the feeder.
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Comment from Seahorse
Time September 2, 2010 at 10:25 pm
We clean our Hummingbird feeder about once a week. We have it hanging high up, but occasionally ants do get to it. Just remove the feeder, spray, clean the feeder, and put it back. Be sure to clean the feeder often so you dont have an ant problem!
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oOo

Comment from birdgirl
Time September 2, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Most feeders have a little reservoir at the top that is meant to be filled with water to keep the ants from being able to crawl down to the bottom where the nectar is. If you live in a warm area, you will have to fill it daily as it evaporates quickly.
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