How do I keep ants from getting into my bird feeders? I have gone to clean them out and had literally thousands of ants come out of them. Also, any suggestions on keeping wasps and other creatures away from the hummingbird feeders?
You can buy an attachment or make one that you fill with water to prevent the ants from getting in the feeders. I had one feeder that I placed on a flat rock and put it in a large round plant tray that was filled with water, like a moat to control the ant problem.
The flying insects are tough to control. What I did at one time was to put some of the sugar mix in a small container near the feeder but away from people and the house to actually feed the ants and other critters. I was able to hide the container near a bush so it was out of sight. It didn't completely solve the problem, but we did have a lot less wasps and bees using the feeders.
I read that if keep a stuffed brown paper lunch bag hanging nearby, that it will deter bees and wasps. The idea behind this is that wasps and bees are territorial and they see the bag as another nest so they will avoid the area. It would have to be secured and protected from the weather. I have not tried this but it may be worth it to try.
A good layer of petroleum jelly around the pole or mount keeps ants away pretty well. I've heard they don't like peppermint oil too, you could try dabbing some of that around. I'm not sure about the wasps though!
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