How do i keep insects out of my hummingbird feeder food?

Question

i keep finding ants and other critters making their way into the feeder and into the liquid food, im sure adding nothing to the flavor

Answer 1

I've been feeding hummers for years and tried umpteen solutions for bugs and my feeders. This year, so far, I've not had wasps/bees bothering me but just read that natural mint oil will stop them from landing on the feeder. Ants are another problem that I've fought for years. It all depends on where your feeders are hanging. Mine are hung on porch posts and the ants travel up from the ground. I place double sided sticky tape around the post and the ants can't cross it. If they do they don't go far! I have a friend who uses a small oily - reg. kitchen oil-- cloth tied above her feeders and she swears it works for ants.  I've been told if the feeders gets ants in them, you need to replace the bird water because the ants put a chemical in the water.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Try Fruit of the Osage Orange Tree also they've been known to be called; hedgeballs, hedgeapples, monkey balls, osage orange, mock oranges and horse apples. The fruit has been claimed to get rid of many insects. They are just coming into season. I heard that they are poisonous to roaches if so maybe they would work against ants?

Answer 3

It's that time of year.  Better to get a different feeder that has a water well or ant trap that attaches to the hanger of the feeder.

There is a feeder called a Humzinger it is break resistant, easy to clean and has a water well on top.  I have 6 of these.

We have a feed store that sells them or go on ebay I've seen them there.

The only thing you can do is you going to have to change the food and move it, maybe it's dripping or maybe when your hanging it up it drips the food which attracts the ant.  I would buy a humzinger.

Answer 4

Seal it tight. whatever you do don't put it near a window. Roaches will come in your house.