Carol DM
I posted about my deck hummingbird feeder yesterday here: Ruby Throated. There is a bell shaped object in the photo and I asked if anyone knew what it was. Nobody did. So now I will show the entire feeder so you can see how the ant guard works. You can see the ant guard at the very top of the photo. You can see how hot and humid it is, there is condensation on the (mason jar) feeder. The hummingbird is a female Ruby throated. You can tell her markings are lighter than the male. The males are always more colorful. They need this benefit to attract females. Isn’t this always the case. ha!
Ants are naturally attracted to sugar as you know. I make the nectar in the feeder using one part sugar to four parts water. It is very sweet. This is what the hummingbirds like and compares to what flower nectar would be. But when you offer this to the hummers, you also attract insects like ants. They can be a nuisance. I found this bell shaped ant guard that attaches to the top of the feeder. So far I have seen no ants. Makes things so much easier for me and the hummingbirds.
©CarolDM2018
365 Photos Challenge Day 199
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Have you seen an ant guard on a feeder before?
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Yes
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No
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Thanks for your support and comment.
This is really interesting, a bird feeder, right?
Yes a hummingbird feeder.
Interesting things about birds and feeder. This is an adventure in a new lesson for me!
There is a lot to learn Albert, so many things going on in my backyard right now.
I’m glad you have a good school in your backyard, Carol.
I do and am learning something new all the time.
I was pretty close to guessing yesterday. I thought it was a feeder.
Now I know what is right.
Your idea is great.
I’m going to think of a similar gripper for wasp that I’m bumping around a mature grapes.
That might work, don’t forget the vaseline!
I thought I was drinking alcohol in a bottle and I honey honey on my throat. something sweet.
Why I do not understand Vaseline.
The vaseline is to keep the ants away, they will get stuck in the vaseline.
I might of seen many, but had no idea they were ant guards. Love this shot Carol, the reflection in the water really catches my eye. : )
Thanks Kim but that is my tree in my backyard. 🙂 Ant guards are necessary in my opinion.
The reflection in the water of the feeder Carol. Great DOF of the tree though!
Thanks I have to use my Nikon when taking hummer photos.
Nature always finds away around human constraints! Next will be the harmony of bees and ants working together. The ants tending the ground around plants so they grow better. The bees landing in bird feeders and having some of the food stick to them, and fall to the ants below as they fly away!
I would not doubt that st all. In nature there is always something to deal with. But the good seems to outweigh the bad… so far.
My dad always said, evolution is a good thing. Revolution is when you start to get nervous!
A very true statement. Your father was wise.
Photo is interesting and full of nature , No i did not seen any ant guard before
Thanks for your comment.
I don’t know if it’s true but I read once that the yellow in the flowers of the feeder make it more likely to attract wasps. It suggested usnig fingernail polish to paint them red. Again, I have no idea if there’s anything to this.
I have not heard that but makes senses. I have more problems with ants than with wasps.
That’s very interesting, and the photo is gorgeous! Hummingbirds are precious!
Thanks for reading. And commenting Ellie.
Aha! It was the part about the Vaseline that I missed! Good idea. Hummingbirds are just amazing.
Yes Ann that is an important part. Thanks for commenting. Love these little birds.
No, I hadn’t seen one before…but that’s a great idea! Great photograph too, thank you for sharing!
Yes and it works. Thanks Courtney! 🙂
I wonder why, do ants hate bells?
What? The ANT GUARD is only shaped like a bell. The bell has nothing to do with anything. They are attracted to sugar.
And there is vaseline (petroleum jelly) underneath the bell, which prevents the ants from getting to the feeder.
My question probably sound stupid…
Thank you for explaining, I got so curious because I had a so call “anti-ant” plate but still I see a few ants on it … :/
I guess they can’t have chemicals on it because it’s for putting food.
There are never any stupid questions. I am glad you asked, now you know! And I forgot to add the part about the vaseline in my post, so that helps as well to keep the ants away. That is right, no chemicals. And I have to be careful where I put the vaseline, if the hummingbirds get around it, their wings can get stuck and they could die. I always am careful to put it underneath the bell. But even doing all of this, sometimes ants can still ge two the feeder. But it is the best option I have found.
Thanks a lot for explaining!!
Now I could imagine how it works!!
Yeah, I believe there is hardly any “super-proof” way so it’s good enough if it keeps most of the ants away!!
You are very welcome my friend. We do what we can.