How Do I Keep Ants Out of My Hummingbird Feeder?

There are many substances that can attract ants, including the sugar water poured into hummingbird feeders, so to keep them away from these spaces, you should keep in mind a simple trick that only requires two household ingredients.

Pay attention and learn how to keep ants away from your hummingbird feeder by following House Digest’s recommendations. This will also prevent contamination and blockage, as well as scare away the annoying visitors that can interfere with the routine of these small birds.

Ingredients to keep ants away from the hummingbird feeder

If you don’t know how to prevent ants from reaching hummingbird feeders, here’s the solution, and it only requires two very common household products: peppermint essential oil and olive oil.

“Peppermint oil is a proven repellent against several types of ants, while olive oil creates a surface that is difficult for them to cross,” the website explains.

So, to keep ants away, simply follow these short steps to block their path:

• Mix a little of both oils in a container
• Cover the hook or wire where the feeder hangs with a clean cloth or cotton swab.
• It can also be applied to the base of the feeder, but without covering the area where the birds feed.
• Relocate the feeder to prevent ant trails from forming.

Other recommendations for keeping hummingbird feeders safe include placing them in an open but shaded area and cleaning them regularly to prevent the buildup of sugar that attracts pests.

If ants manage to invade the hummingbirds’ space, they can scare them away from your garden and attract even more of these small insects, which will be drawn to the nectar.