Hummingbird Feeder

[BusterBoo]

I have a hummingbird feeder on my back deck and the problem is ANTS! The feeder is attached to the deck railing with a metal bracket (made expressly for hanging bird feeders on). As the liquid was decreasing, I thought my little birds had returned early but now I noticed that it is covered in ants! They crawl up the deck, up the bracket and actually get into the feeder and drown!

Any ideas on how to stop the ants from crawling up the bracket? If I were to spray an oil on the bracket (WD-40 or cooking oil) do you think it would stop the ants? Could it harm the hummingbirds?

[Melinda]

you can smear a bit of vaseline on the bracket. another way is if its possible to put a small tart/pie tin on the bracket? put water in it.

[Dee-O-Gee]

Found this link BusterBoo....

http://www.ehow.com/how_1029_keep-ants-bird.html

Good luck.

[hazelrunpack]

If you soak a cotton ball in vegetable oil, then place it so it's pinched between the hanging wire and the hook the feeder hangs on, it'll keep the ants from making their way to the feeders. The oil is relatively non-toxic, and since it's only on the cotton ball, it's unlikely to make it to the birds' feathers, which could be unhealthy for them. Replace the cotton ball every 2 - 3 days.