How do I keep ants from getting to my hummingbird feeder?

Anita Welp
by Anita Welp

I have it hanging from a shepherds rod and within a day of hanging it I can see ants floating in it.I know that ants don't like to make their way through water but I can't come up with something that can hold water and still be "around the pole" of the rod. Help!!!

  3 answers
  • Rhonda Relyea Rhonda Relyea on Jul 15, 2018


    I use an "Ant Moat" that I bought at Menards. It is under $5. It holds water and hangs from the shepards wand, then you hang your feeder from a hook on the Ant Moat. Check it frequently in this hot weather because the water will evaporate. No more ants in the feeder. They drown in the water.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 15, 2018

    Hi Anita. I'm Cindy. I read a few articles regarding ants in hummingbird feeders. I learned that you need an ant moat. It is placed around the feeder then filled with water. This way ants wind up in the water in the moat instead of in your feeder. Best of luck to you.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Jul 16, 2018

    Another step, Anita, that I have used is to grease the shepherd’s hook with Vasolene Petroleum Jelly. Motor oil might be easier for some people. I’d love to see what you do on Facebook. ☺️