I have this bird feeder and it was great,but unfortunely ants have found it and it is infested with ants that are coming in the house. What can I do?
1376482
Kathy, I can't really help but when we were in college we would rub something ( a liquid) around the legs of the chair that held our goodies to keep the ants away. If I can remember what--I'll let you know. It was great having Bob and Andy here this week-end but missed you. Love, Anice
2190410
Probably not. Those tiny black beast can get past anything. We keep them out of our feeders by spraying the pole (we use shepherd's crooks) with Home Defense pesticide. We've tried every other ant control method: organic, green, environmentally safe, natural, home-remedy, and chemical. Home Defense just works. We even use it in the house, otherwise we're overrun by the little buggers. Just spray the pole and/or hook, let it dry, then hang the feeder. Repeat as often as needed, which should be about every couple of months (yeah, it's that good). A little off topic, perhaps, I am thinking of putting in a bee feeder or dedicating one hummer feeder for bees though, because they're are having such a hard time.)
1629862
The bees are still attracted to this feeder but can't get in the "yellow blossom" holes. Ants are the biggest problem as they can enter through the "yellow blossom" holes. I try to deter the ants by putting a strip of double-sticking tape on the window glass surrounding and away from the feeder. Thedouble-sticking tape on the window glass doesn't look great but it does the trick.
2095192
Agreed, occasionally ants get my bait. I clean the area scrupulously of debris and replace the bait. Also, make sure that the bait isn't propping the trip lever open. If I use too large a piece of Snickers (my mice's favorite) the trip lever won't move properly.
32851
My best suggestion is one should put a sign that no doves, pigeons are allowed to feed from this bird feeder. If they are decent they will read the sign and never come back. For the bad ones you should make it more weight sensitive by rotating the inner rod so that only light birds can sit on the perch. In general this is the best bird feeder we found which keeps the squirrel away. Before the squirrels were the sole eaters from our bird feeders.
604873
If there are ants in it maybe hose it off before washing it? Or just wash it outside?I've had a great experience with them until recently - recently found a river of ants in my kitchen and ants in the food dish. I think my petsitter washed the bowls, and I suspect there was still water between the bowl layers, without enough soap to break surface tension - so the ants could literally walk on water. I'm willing to give it another try, just ensuring there's NO water between the bowl layers, as they've worked great up until now.
1445320
It's the perch. I presently use an IKEA metal bucket hanging from chains. Since July (in Texas) it has been popular with sparrows but no other birds. The titmouse loves to drink from the ant trap over the hummingbird feeder while leaning from a tree branch, which isn't always fresh. I finally added a branch across the bucket. More sparrows. Titmice don't care. I change the water every day. I tried a hanging bird bath but the squirrels broke it. I might try a regular bird bath next. Birds DO need water, but they also need to feel safe and may have another source that feels safer to them.
1075784
Probably not for the ants. It probably only works with creatures that eat wood and blocks some enzyme associated with digesting wood. I think it could prevent mold on wood, but if it already has mold, you should replace the wood first.
902871
I've been using this feeder outside on a sheltered porch for nearly a year. I haven't had any trouble with ants getting inside, but I imagine it is possible. The reservoir is pretty well sealed, and my outdoor (semi-feral now) cat usually consumes the food before nightfall (it drops between 10 and 11 am), so there doesn't appear to be much residue to attract ants.
94496
I wouldn't recommend buying this product as it did not work for me at all. My problem was ants though and I used the following product. Not sure if it would help you or not. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q3QQNC/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_13
1237197
Hi Janet, Thanks for your question. In response, its very simple and easy to use. Basically, you just add 2-3 drops of vegetable oil to the cup, swish it around and coat the inside, then dump out the excess. Then you hang between your shepard's pole/branch/whatever you hang your bird feeder on, and the ants won't be able to cross the oil barrier to get to your bird food. Just need to add more vegetable oil every week or so, as it eventually evaporates/gets rained on. Also, unlike many of our competitors, our ant moat is made to provide a NON-TOXIC way to deal with these type ants. Its safe for your kids and pets because no chemicals are used or needed. If you have any other questions, just let us know... Mark
667858
Sorry Julie, I don't have ants. But now that you mention it, when I lived in Manhattan, there were some tiny bugs, smaller than ants that enjoyed the litter. I just cleaned the area very well. Maybe mixing the litter with baking soda may help.
2263946
In addition to keeping the moat filled with fresh water, remember to empty, thoroughly clean, and re-fill the feeder with fresh nectar according to the product instructions. I've found this does not allow the time for too many ant invasions. :-)
2263948
I originally was filling the moat but as time went on I stopped doing that. So far, I haven't had any ant problems at all. Not sure if this is typical though. Fyi, I have 2 of these feeders that are placed in different parts of the yard.
469712
You betcha. Most of my ant problems are black carpenter ants. The only thing about these baits that would limit their use is that they are liquid, so if you can't leave them in place, undisturbed, for the time it takes to work, say the only place you've seen the ants is a high traffic area, then they're not effective. Luckily for me (not so lucky for the ants) is that there's usually more than one trail on which they travel, and one of them is bound to be low traffic.
1617530
I have mine in a tree by my bluebird house but my birds have not used it. I have an open feeder they will use but a lot of other birds feed in the open ones as well. Maybe I'll try on a post in the open. It doesn't work in the tree.
691865
It's possible, this poison, dries them out from the inside. If the ants eat it or get it on them, it should kill them. If you spread it around their nest that should help but keep it away from animals and children. I spread it in the backs of cupboards and underneath drawers.