Ant populations are skyrocketing in the summer heatwaves we're experiencing, and beyond being a nuisance, they pose a risk to hummingbirds. More specifically, when they help themselves to hummingbird nectar, it makes the feeder unsanitary for the birds and can even discourage their presence.
But I've just stumbled across an ingenious solution for your hummingbird feeder: these Amazon ant moats. They sit above the feeder, filled with water. When ants try to access the feeder, they either can't get past the moat or drown trying. The result? A clean, uncontaminated hummingbird feeder.
It's such a simple idea, and one that can save you from cleaning your hummingbird feeder multiple times a day. And it'll make the feeder more attractive to hummingbirds. With a 4.7-star rating, shoppers say, 'They work great! So easy to use and the feeders are ant-free!' Plus, they cost under $9, so it's a super affordable solution for summer.
Attach these ant moats to your hummingbird feeders to stop ants from getting to them. It will keep your feeders clean and sanitary for hummingbirds. This set even comes with cleaning brushes.
The Problem with Ants in Feeders
There are a few different reasons why you should keep ants out of your hummingbird feeders in summer.
Ants are naturally attracted to hummingbird nectar (like this from Walmart) because it's a sugary food source. Even small drops on your bird feeding pole are enough to encourage them – especially during hot summer spells when ant populations grow rapidly.
If they do get into the nectar, they can contaminate it with dirt and bacteria, making it spoil more quickly. Ants may even clog feeding ports on hummingbird feeders, making it tricky for the birds to use.
Overall, this makes your feeder less accessible and safe for hummingbirds, and it requires more maintenance to keep it clean.
That's where ant moats come in.
Why Shoppers Love The Moats
The Amazon ants moats for hummingbird feeders have a super simple design: they're a cup that you fill with water. There's a hook on both sides, so you can place it above your feeder and hang it up.
According to the reviews, they excel at getting rid of ants.
'Love these, work as described. Keep ants away from [my] feeder and attracts the birds,' one five-star reviewer writes.
Just like the majority of hummingbird feeders (like this red glass one from Walmart), these ant moats are red in color because it helps to attract hummingbirds.
'It was fun to watch the ants go into a state of confusion after I added these to the top of my feeders. After 10 minutes, they left and have not been back,' another person describes.
An unexpected bonus of these ant moats is that it provides a water spot for small birds and pollinators.
'The birds love to drink from them,' one person writes.
It's hard to find a downside to these Amazon ant moats for hummingbird feeders. They're simple in design, effective, and come ready to attach to your feeder for immediate use.
Really, as shoppers express, it's an easy solution to keep ants out of your hummingbird feeder. It makes your feeder easier to maintain and safer for the birds to use, so you can sit back and enjoy watching them.
Shop Our Hummingbird Edit
This red hummingbird feeder has multiple feeding ports, perching spots, and an ant moat.
This hummingbird nectar is ready to use to fill up your hummingbird feeder and provide an energizing food source for these birds.
This solar bird bath fountain can create a refreshing mist for hummingbirds to fly through. They prefer this to a still pool of water.
There are lots of hummingbird feeder mistakes to avoid this summer. This includes not cleaning it, leaving it to spoil in direct sun, and adding red dye to the hummingbird nectar. These hummingbird feeder cleaning brushes from Amazon can help keep yours safe for the birds to use.
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