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The anti-ant moat
Moat: a wide, deep ditch, usually filled with water, surrounding a fortress or mid-evil town.
Yes, an ant moat is usually made to hold water, serving the purpose of keeping ants from reaching sugar water in nectar feeders for hummingbirds, orioles and butterflies. And if you feed hummingbirds the sweet, sticky solution, an ant moat is one of those necessary accessories to thwart pesky ants.
This wooden ant moat however, is dubbed the “anti-ant moat” and works by a principle other than holding a body of water. It has a deep grove on the underside which is filled with a sticky substance that sugar ants won’t cross. It really does work, and although designed for the Lantern Series of hummingbird feeders, will work for any hummingbird feeder that’s meant to hang.
- Ant Moats, Bird Book, Bird Feeder Pole, Bird Field Guides, Bird Nesting Materials, Bird Seed Trays, Birding Accessories, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Nesting Material, Squirrel Baffle, Water Wiggler, Weather Guards
squirrel baffle serves as weatherguard too
The most effective way to foil squirrels and protect your feeders from their disruptive antics, is with a squirrel baffle. A quality baffle is a one-time investment that will save your birdseed and ultimately your money in the long run.
The best part about using a hanging squirrel baffle is the versatility. Some folks even use them as weather guards alone (like me) to protect feeders from the elements. Most will serve as weather guards throughout the changing seasons. Keeping snow in winter, rain, and direct sun in sweltering summer heat, from ever reaching and spoiling the bird food. This will also save money by keeping food fresher longer. Not to mention, squirrel baffles also protect feathered friends at your feeder while dining. Although this feeder hangs from a pole with a baffle in place, one is also used to protect the feeder. Check out that snow sitting on top!
Planning and proper placement are two key factors when setting up new baffles. One must always remember squirrels’ uncanny acrobatic and athletic abilities! The little furry critters can jump sideways almost 10 feet. So, the horizontal “launching point” must be taken into consideration. Don’t hang the feeder near anything they might be able to jump from sideways. Vertically speaking, be sure the bottom of the feeder is at least five feet from ground level.
All in all, a great investment for novice to advanced backyard birders. Sparing you much aggravation and headache should squirrels be a problem in the yard.
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Versatile Feeder with Built In Ant Moat
Whether feeding hummingbirds or orioles, the sweet sticky nectar can become a major ant attraction. Once ants discover the nectar, there’s really no way of getting rid of them except to block them with water. An ant moat does just that, prevents the pesky critters from reaching nectar with a small body of water. Ants can not swim, and therefore will not cross water.
Some nectar feeders feature a built in ant moat, which is a real advantage to additional accessories. This window feeder even doubles as a seed feeder in colder months, simply by removing the lid. Hanging bird baths can also be used as bird feeders in cold weather, allowing you to offer virtually any treats on the large, platform type feeding area.
Versatile birding accessories like these are ones that may be used year-round to benefit feathered friends. They give you more bang for your buck too!