If hummingbirds are flocking to the nectar in your feeder, then you can bet you’re attracting other visitors as well—ants.
“Carbohydrates are ants' primary food source, and since nectar is high in them, [they're] naturally attracted to it,” says Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention. “Once one ant finds your hummingbird feeder, it leaves a scent trail for the others to follow."
The downside, of course, is that hummingbirds will avoid feeders that are overrun with ants, as they perceive these tiny insects as a threat. So, before the first ant has a chance to discover the feast that is your hummingbird feeder, it's important to take steps to protect it.
Here, we spoke with experts about the best natural, preventative methods that will keep ants from crashing your hummingbirds' party.
Ants tend to reach hummingbird feeders from above, so try putting up a physical barrier with an ant moat—a small, water-filled cup that hangs just above the feeder. “Ants can’t swim, and they won't cross it,” Carpenter says.
If your feeder didn’t come with an ant moat, then you can make one using a small container, like a bottle cap or a plastic cup. Just punch small holes at the top, attach hooks or wire loops on both sides, fill it with water, and hang it just above your feeder. Carpenter recommends adding a drop of food-safe dish soap to the water to break surface tension, so even the most determined ants will sink.
This method doesn’t harm the hummingbirds, doesn’t touch the nectar, and stops ant invasions cold. And it's basically free if you make it yourself. Just make sure to keep an eye on the water level—especially during warmer weather.
Sticky nectar spills or leaks can be an invitation for ants. Even a small drip could become a huge problem, notes Nick Pulsonetti, pest control expert at Excel Pest Services. So make sure to wipe down the feeder regularly.
Pulsonetti recommends using a damp cloth every day and cleaning the feeder thoroughly with warm water and mild soap once or twice a week. Also check for leaks, he adds, as some feeders drip more than others—or switch to a non-drip model.
Most feeders come with a metal or plastic loop for hanging, but ants can easily climb it. To stop them, rehang your hummingbird feeder using fishing line, which is too slippery for ants to cling to.
Take a 10 to 20 pound test fishing line, tie one end to the feeder's built-in hook, and tie the other end to whatever you’re hanging it from. “That creates a fishing line bridge between the feeder hook and ants,” Carpenter says.
Try placing your hummingbird feeder in a water feature such as a small pond or a bird bath, suggests Matt Smith, co-owner of Green Pest Management. Ants won’t try to swim to the feeder, but the hummingbirds will still have full access.
Just make sure to regularly replenish the water source. Also, keep an eye on stagnant water, as mosquitoes may try and move in to lay eggs.
At the base of your hummingbird feeder, add bug-repellant plants, like lavender, mint, and basil. “That will help make it uncomfortable for the ants,” Smith says.
While this method can help beautify your garden, it isn't as effective as other solutions. Also, sometimes the ants didn't get the memo that they were supposed to hate those plants, Smith says. Mint can be invasive too, so plant it in pots to keep it contained.
The right location may be enough to keep your hummingbird feeder ant free. “It shouldn’t be placed directly on trees—especially fruit trees—because ants love them and can easily reach the feeder from branches,” Carpenter says. Also keep it far away from trash and compost bins.
Avoid hanging it near deck railings or thick plants that will be easy for ants to climb. Keep in mind that too much shade or distance from flowers can make the feeder harder for hummingbirds to find.
If you do see ants in the feeder, move it a few feet away. “Relocating the feeder will confuse ants, making it harder for them to find it, but it won't be a problem for hummingbirds, as they have excellent memories and sharp vision, so they can quickly find it again,” says Carpenter.
