Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:58:59 -0500
From: lmkeef@JUNO.COM
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Ants on Feeders

I've been making my own moats---I usually use fishing line to suspend
feeders, which reduces the insect crawling. I recycle the plastic tops
(especially red ones) from various spray cans, put a hole in the middle
with a nail or sharp point (hot ice pick), run the fishing line through.
Then I use the goopy stuff you can dip tool handles in to coat them, and
seal the hole. It really sounds more complicated then it is. As a moat
they tend to tilt some, but I'll have to try the upside down tanglefoot
trick--it should work great with this! One could also use the tanglefoot
on an upside down cap with a cupholder screwed in the top, and suspend
from there! Lots of possibilities!

I have an overhang with gutter that I suspend several feeders from---again, I use a hook, then fishing line to hang the feeders. The
best way I've found to discourage ants on these is to spray the lower
wall of that area with BENGAL roach and ant spray---it serves as a
deterrant barrier----I take down the feeders before spraying and just
mark a line a foot or so above the ground and along one edge for a
space---and have had it work for several weeks at a time. I don't use
much, and only on this one area, which is away from most of my plants. I
don't try to use it anywhere else. If the ants are the small variety,
fishing line with a coating of petroleum jelly near the top works great
by itself.

Time to go maintain some feeders--I hope everyone is enjoying the spring!
Linda K.
===============

Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 20:32:26 EDT
From: DDrummondg@AOL.COM
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Ants on Feeders

I know you have had a lot of responses, but I thought I would put in my two
cents. I hang my feeder from a pole made for hanging baskets with a piece of
wire. I wash out a cat food can, poke a hole in the bottom, run the wire
through and put hot glue around the wire to plug the hole. every time I
change the feeder I fill the cup. I haven't had it completely dry out or had
any ants cross the moat. Works for me. In fact I'm preparing a second one
tonight.

===============

Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 23:00:41 -0500
From: Lanny Chambers <lanny@HUMMINGBIRDS.NET>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Hummingbird feeder with 'nectar guard'(?)

On 5/21/02 21:24, Howard Williams lesho@EARTHLINK.NET wrote:

>I think it's important to use Tanglefoot carefully though.
>I've had seen many young hummers probing ant moats. The last thing I
>want to find is a youngster (or an oldster) stuck to an ant moat. I have
>some designs in mind.

A fellow I know from rec.birds is having great success using Tanglefoot
in the bottom of an inverted ant moat made from a deep, small-diameter
medicine vial. It would be difficult for a hummer to reach up far enough
to get into the sticky goo. I can't find the link to a photo, but it's
the best solution I've seen so far, and costs practically nothing to make.

===========================

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 06:48:44 -0500
From: Olga Clifton <humermom@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: [HUMNET-L] Ants on Hummer Feeders

Friends,
I have ants as well and have used Tanglefoot for years.
We have all of our feeders hanging from either chains or brackets or stands. On
every location we have an S hook hanging from the respective chain, bracket or stand. I dip the top of the S hook into the Tanglefoot, hang it on the chain,
stand or bracket and hang the feeder on the bottom half of the S hook. If you
happen to have enough S hooks (Walter makes ours from old wire) you can use
another S hook without the Tanglefoot, hooked onto the one with the Tanglefoot.
If you happen to get Tanglefoot on your hands, it comes off with Mineraspirets.
Another method we use is the commercially sold green colored ant guards. I put
Tanglefoot all in the inside bottom and hang the thing upside down so birds
can't get tangled in it. But the point is, no matter where it is applied,
Tanglefoot works.

Olga Clifton
Abita Springs,La.
West St. Tammany Parish
humermom@bellsouth.net

==================

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 07:52:27 -0700
From: Haji Warf <hajiwarf@YAHOO.COM>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Hummingbird feeder with 'nectar guard'(?)

Humnetters,

I recycled a large fruit cup can (any can works, such
as tuna, cat food, etc.), punched a hole in the center
and then threaded an S-hook through. The bottom of the
can actually sits on the lower part of the "S" and
helps stabilize the can. Then, using a hot glue gun, I
sealed the hole.

These larger cans hold more water than the
commercially available ant moats -- and, they're
cheaper.

Mine never dries out before it's time to change the
feeder solution, at which time I replenish the can
with fresh water to the lip.

Works like a charm. This idea originated from someone
on this list who knew what they were doing.

Haji
=========================

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 10:37:13 -0500
From: Nancy L Newfield <colibri@WEBDSI.COM>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Hummingbird feeder with 'nectar guard'(?)

Ants in the nectar aren't a big problem for me, but I do prefer a more
"finished" look - and I'm really lazy. When I've used the moat-type
devices I have found that the water evaporates very quickly. However, I
was recently sent one called Nectar Protector that holds more than a cup of
water. It is manufactured by Songbird Essentials of Mexico,
Missouri. Phone 888-985-2473. There are two models. One is red and the other is clear. I'd recommend the clear.

NLN

***************************
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA

=================

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 08:53:24 -0500
From: marjorie hastings <mhast27@COX.NET>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Hummingbird feeder with 'nectar guard'(?)

Now when Don started making my ant guards 17 years ago we use a plastic jar
,Peanut butter comes in these and did the drill a hole fit it over a coat
hanger and replace with the hot glue gun this holds more than a cup of
water and the House finches drink from these Works like a charm and except
for the glue no cost....
Marjorie Hastings
Spring Valley,CA.
mhast27@cox.net

=============

Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 16:27:43 -0500
From: Howard Williams <lesho@EARTHLINK.NET>
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast
<HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu>
To: HUMNET-L@listserv.lsu.edu
Subject: [HUMNET-L] Ant moat for use with Tanglefoot

Humnet,

I stopped by the hardware store after work. I bought two PVC pipe end
caps (white non-threaded) and a turnbuckle (one end has an open hook and
the other end is an eye hook). One end cap fits inside the other with
plenty of clearance. The two end caps are assembled using the turnbuckle
with the opening of the larger cap facing toward the ground. The smaller
end cap is attached inside the larger cap with the open end facing up --
but they don't touch. Tanglefoot will be coated inside the smaller end
cap. No way a hummingbird can access the Tanglefoot. And no way ants can
pass the smaller cup to the feeder. Also, the Tanglefoot will be
protected from dust and debris which should make it last longer. Total cost (minus Tanglefoot): about 2 bucks. Total assembly time: 45 seconds
(drilling two holes and screwing things together). I might paint the end
caps a different color but it's fine the way it is. Copper end caps and
brass could also be used at higher cost of course. If my description is
confusing I can always post an image on hummingbirdgarden-pix.

Howard Williams
Dallas, Texas

=======================================

Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 13:08:05 -0500
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] water baffles (was olive oil as bee)

Pat,

At 01:49 PM 9/13/2002 -0400, Pat Foley wrote:

>Re ant baffles, I've always used the green "ant guards" from PP. I had
>several break mid season, and I'm thinking of going next year with the
>water baffles I see advertised (like on the Duncraft website) which I'm
>hoping will be a one time expense. I want something that isn't flimsy,
>and likely to snap in half -- so has anyone purchased these? And are they
>sturdy enough to last season after season? Or can anyone recommend a good
>water baffle that is good sized and very sturdy?

I have several "Nectar Protector" water baffles to guard against ants,
which aren't much of a problem for me. These devices from Songbird
Essentials [P.O. Box 157, Mexico, Missouri 65265; 888-985-2473] are large
enough to hold a cup of fluid. I haven't used mine, but they look pretty
sturdy.

NLN

***************************
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
<colibri@webdsi.com>
***************************

==========================================

Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 13:35:33 -0500
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
Subject: [HUMNET-L] water baffles

You can make your own water ant traps by using the plastic lids from liquid
laundry soap, spray paint cans, etc, and a double hook (hook at each end)
device you can buy at the hardware store.  Drill a hole in the plastic lid,
stick the metal hooky thing (technical term) through the hole, caulk the
hole, and VOILA!   you have a water reservoir hanger for feeders.  Cheap,
too, at about $0.79 per hooky thing.  These items are generally about 3-4"
long, unscrew at one or both ends, and each end has a hook.   This
mechanism is made by one of the hummer hosts at which I band birds, and the
lid certainly keeps ants away from the feeders and holds quite a bit of
water.

Another hummer host uses a short piece of wire with loops at each end stuck
through a milk jug cap (a little glue to seal the hole), putting some olive
oil in the cap.  She then hangs this device from a little hook and uses a
second hook for the feeder to hang on.  This person has a wide eave on a
covered porch, so rain doesn't wash the oil out of the caps and the birds
generally don't investigate them.  The oil of course lasts longer than
water since it doesn't evaporate.

Cathie Hutcheson
Makanda, IL

=======================================

X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 13:49:38 -0400
Reply-To: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
From: BB for Hummingbirds and Gardening for them in the Southeast <HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] water baffles

Re ant baffles, I've always used the green  "ant guards" from PP.  I had
several break mid season, and I'm thinking of going next year with the
water baffles I see advertised (like on the Duncraft website) which I'm
hoping will be a one time expense.  I want something that isn't flimsy,
and likely to snap in half -- so has anyone purchased these?  And are they
sturdy enough to last season after season?  Or can anyone recommend a good
water baffle that is good sized and very sturdy?

Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: Haji Warf
To: HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 12:18 PM
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Olive Oil as Bee Deterrent?

Pat,

Often, I see not only the chickadees draining the ant moat, but titmouse
and goldfinches doing the same. The reservoir is too small to sustain all
these drinking binges, so it's usually dried up within the day.

I, too, have multiple water sources for the birds to use, but the tiny
little moat seems to remain their preference.

To accommodate this habit, I simply hang a separate ant moat above the
minis.

They're so cute when they contort their bodies upside down to reach the
water, though, so it's difficult to discourage them. Just the other day, I
saw a female goldfinch with a youngster who could not stop chirping about
the whole ordeal.

 Pat Foley wrote: The only (minor) problem
with the mini is that the chickadees seem to feel the ant well is their
personal drinking fountain -- which they don't need,as there's a spring
fed
stream that runs through the yard.

Haji Warf<vbr>Arlington, VA (1st suburb across the Potomac River from
Washington, DC)