The safest way to keep ants out of a hummingbird feeder is to remove the sugar leaks that attract them and put a water-filled ant moat between the feeder and the route ants use to reach it. Plain water is enough. Do not add vegetable oil, petroleum jelly, cooking spray, or other greasy substances, because … Read more
Ants at a hummingbird feeder are usually easiest to stop with a simple physical barrier, not a pesticide or a slippery coating. Place a water-filled ant moat above the feeder so crawling ants have to cross it before reaching the nectar, then keep the moat filled and clean up any leaks or sticky residue that … Read more
A hummingbird feeder can look clean from a few feet away while residue or mold is building inside ports, seams, bee guards, or the base. Sugar water needs a much shorter replacement and cleaning routine than dry seed, especially in warm weather. I treat every refill as a chance to take the feeder apart and … Read more