The Hummingbirds Are Back!

Sunrise Point · 05-08-2009, 05:17 AM

Rose, thank you for the links. They have been bookmarked on my computer and I'm sure that I will go back to them often. I have only seen one bluebird in my life and that was 35 years ago by a bird bath in Oquossoc, Maine. I would love to see more.

Tis, we had ant problems around our hummingbird feeders. The ants seemed to find the feeders as soon as they were put out. They would crawl all around and even into the feeder. The hummers would stop using the feeder as soon as the ants began to get inside and drown. I then started using - I think it's called Tri-Axle Grease. It's a blue heavy grease that is intended for the outboard steering mechanism on a boat. I put a circle of that around the wire or bracket that holds the feeder. It is a barrier that they won't cross. One application works all season. If you didn't have access to the grease, petroleum jelly would probably work as well.

We haven't a problem with the ants on the ground. We don't have much of a lawn and if the ants can't get to the feeder, they seem to move on.

05-08-2009, 05:17 AM	#13
Sunrise Point Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Meredith Center / Winnisquam Posts: 250 Thanks: 87 Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts	Rose, thank you for the links. They have been bookmarked on my computer and I'm sure that I will go back to them often. I have only seen one bluebird in my life and that was 35 years ago by a bird bath in Oquossoc, Maine. I would love to see more. Tis, we had ant problems around our hummingbird feeders. The ants seemed to find the feeders as soon as they were put out. They would crawl all around and even into the feeder. The hummers would stop using the feeder as soon as the ants began to get inside and drown. I then started using - I think it's called Tri-Axle Grease. It's a blue heavy grease that is intended for the outboard steering mechanism on a boat. I put a circle of that around the wire or bracket that holds the feeder. It is a barrier that they won't cross. One application works all season. If you didn't have access to the grease, petroleum jelly would probably work as well. We haven't a problem with the ants on the ground. We don't have much of a lawn and if the ants can't get to the feeder, they seem to move on.