If you have any ants or wasps (bees, etc.) at your hummingbird feeder on a regular basis, your hummingbird feeder is leaking solution and providing a food source for the ants and bees. These insects will capitalize on the smallest leak (usually the leak isn't visible to the human eye) and quickly become regulars at your hummingbird feeder once they associate it as a source of food. The best way to stop these insects at your feeders is to change the style of hummingbird feeder being used, or sometimes changing the location of the hummingbird feeder helps. Many people report higher volumes of ants at their hummingbird feeders if it is hung in a tree. We suspect this is because the ants are already feeding on something produced by the tree and have easily come across the hummingbird feeder. One solution to this problem is to hang your hummingbird feeder from a shepherds hook near the tree rather than on the tree.
Ant Mote
If you are getting ants at your hummingbird feeder but really don't want to change hummingbird feeders, use an ant-moat. These can be hung above your hummingbird feeder and are filled with water. To slow the evaporation of the water within the ant-moat you can add a touch of vegetable oil. The addition of an ant-moat limits an ants access to your hummingbird feeder as they have difficulty bypassing the water. You will need to monitor the water level of the ant-moat for it to continue being effective during the summer heat. The addition of the ant-moat will help against ants, but not the bees. The bees will still be attracted to the hummingbird feeder as long as it continues to leak, and the only true way to prevent them is by changing the style of hummingbird feeder you're using.
Classic Four Flower/ Pinched Waste Hummingbird Feeder
The generic hummingbird feeder is a up-turned bottle design. These feeders come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and materials. What they all have in common is that after you fill the solution reservoir you screw on the lid/feeding ports and then have to flip the feeder over so that its right side up.
This style of hummingbird feeder can be great for those interested in getting started in hummingbird feeding. But some of these styles can be prone to leaking due to two factors: gravity and pressure build up. If this style of hummingbird feeder is hung in a location where it is able to swing in the wind, there is a high chance of the hummingbird solution leaking through the feeding ports. Also, after the solution has gone down a bit in the reservoir a pressure build up will occur due to heat. When exposed to the sun, this pressure build up intensifies and causes some solution to spill from the feeding ports.
Best-1 Hummingbird Feeder
A couple of things to look for when selecting this type of feeder is how easy is it to take apart for cleaning, and how does the solution sit in the feeder after the feeder is hung up. For example, the Best-1 hummingbird feeder is a bottle style feeder where the hummingbirds drink the solution from ports situated on the top. This style of feeder has few chances of leaking because of where its feeding ports are located.
Saucer-style hummingbird feeders are the best solution if you are looking for a hummingbird feeder that is easy to clean, and will eliminate the ant/wasp problem. With these feeders all of the solution is kept below the feeding ports, therefore the solution doesn't leak as there is no spot in the feeder that allows for pressure to build-up. Because this feeder doesn't leak, it is the best option against wasps/bees. Because this feeder disassembles into two large parts, it is easily cleaned simply with a wash cloth.
In our store we carry the Hummzinger saucer-style hummingbird feeder. This feeder is made of what's known as poly-carbonate plastic, which is a fancy plastic that doesn't become brittle in the sun. We have customers who have had these feeders for as long as we've been open (20+ years) and the feeders are actively used year-round without having had been replaced at all since the initial purchase.
Some common questions we get when showing customers this feeder are:
-Why aren't there any yellow flowers over the holes?
Hummingbirds aren't attracted to yellow, but bees and wasps are. The best colour to attract hummingbirds is red, as this pops out in their vision and they associate this colour with food sources.
-How do the hummingbirds find the feeding ports?
Because red colours really stand out in the hummingbird eye, where the feeding port is situated is a dark spot. Hummingbirds know to associate this contrasting element to be where they insert their bill to find solution.
-Do I have to keep refilling it when its partially empty so the hummingbirds can continue getting the solution?
Hummingbirds feed from plants using their tongues, and their tongues are about double the length of their bill. Even if the solution gets very low in these feeders, the hummingbird tongue can still reach it for feeding.
We hope this article helps you with your hummingbird feeding questions. Please remember when selecting your hummingbird feeder that bigger is not always better. If you are within city limits an 8oz hummingbird feeder will be large enough, as you should be cleaning it at least once a week (or every 2-3 days in the summer).
Cleaning your hummingbird feeder regularly is best for the health the hummingbirds, and will prevent the growth of mold in your feeder. Hummingbirds will always prefer fresh solution over solution that has been sitting out. We recommend cleaning your hummingbird feeder with a 10% bleach or vinegar solution (10 parts water to 1 part bleach or vinegar) for the best results.
Cleaning your hummingbird feeder regularly is best for the health the hummingbirds, and will prevent the growth of mold in your feeder. Hummingbirds will always prefer fresh solution over solution that has been sitting out. We recommend cleaning your hummingbird feeder with a 10% bleach or vinegar solution (10 parts water to 1 part bleach or vinegar) for the best results.
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