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Birds Discuss your fine, feathered friends.

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Old 04-25-2006, 03:07 PM   #1
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Hummingbirds and Ants

What is the best way to prevent ants from invading an outdoor hummingbird feeder? I'm imagining that using an ant killer near the feeder is a bad idea, as the toxins would inadvertently harm or kill the hummingbirds.

Anyone with ideas, please? I had the most amazing hummingbird visit this afternoon, and I'd love to have her - and some of her beautiful feathered friends - return without the fear of harming them.
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Old 04-25-2006, 03:15 PM   #2
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Go to Wentworths and get the ant traps made specifically for hummingbird feeders. Work like a charm.
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Old 04-25-2006, 03:19 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cattitude
Go to Wentworths and get the ant traps made specifically for hummingbird feeders. Work like a charm.
Thank you...

I think I've got BG converted to being a Hummingbird fan!!
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Old 04-25-2006, 03:36 PM   #4
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Thank you...

I think I've got BG converted to being a Hummingbird fan!!
I'm the hummingbird queen of Calvert County. They are amazing and if you start now, by the time the boy is a few years old, you should have a nice little flock for him to enjoy.
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Old 04-25-2006, 03:43 PM   #5
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Thanks, Catt.

They are just so beautiful........
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Old 04-25-2006, 03:52 PM   #6
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Every year I put up 3 feeders and I get so many hummingbirds, my neighbors are so jealous. I had just got 1 up last weekend and within an hour I had my first. Love to sit and watch them.
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Old 04-25-2006, 03:59 PM   #7
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I'll have to tell my father to get his feeders out. He sits out on the patio and watches them all time during the summer
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Old 04-25-2006, 04:01 PM   #8
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I was in my thirties before I saw my first hummingbird.. was starting to think they were just another snipe!
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Old 04-25-2006, 04:10 PM   #9
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The girls and I hand fed humming birds of all different kinds at a Rocklands Bird Sanctuary in Jamaica. You just hold the little bottle in one hand, and put your other finger up as a sorta perch. They lightly land on your finger to eat. It was a little freaky with those things buzzing all around my head and arms, but soooooooo cool. Quite an experince.

I have some pics somewhere. I'll have to find them and post them.
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Old 04-25-2006, 05:24 PM   #10
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I'll never forget the time I got to hold a little hummingbird in my hands.

I haven't put my feeders up yet. Guess I could go do that now instead of sitting here on my butt.
Cooking oil works too if you put it on the string that holds the feeder...the ants get stuck while trying to go to the feeder.. hope you find this helpful :)
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