What works to discourage ants from taking over hanging hummingbird feeders.
I have three hanging feeders, one in particular which I don't want to move
is especially popular with hummingbirds *and ants* and is in such a good spot
for viewing except that the hummingbirds won't use it if the ants are there.
This style of feeder is not designed for a moat. Any *tweets* with some ant
deterrants that work, short of being harmful to the birds or vegitation? The
feeder hangs from a branch, thus unfortunately, a good runway for the ants
and begs for trouble. I've sprayed *Raid* on the branch below and downwind
from the feeder which keeps the ants away for at least a day or two. Then I
thought, maybe "smoking" them out would work. So, I bought a pack of
cigarettes and found that by holding a smoking cigarette (the only good
reason I can think of for not banning cigarettes) next to the ant covered
feeder tip drives the ants off and I can eliminate that particular wave
before reinforcements arrive in a few hours or the next day. The ants don't
seem to invade (or at least haven't found) the other two which hang from a
porch beam and feeder pole with a rain (squirrel) guards over the top.
Otherwise, I sure could use a couple good antbirds in the yard here.
Thanks.

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue, WA
(Pagodroma at aol.com)