🐜 Ant Moats: DIY vs. Store Bought

There is nothing grosser than a feeder full of dead ants.

Ants are relentless. Once a scout finds the sugar, the whole colony follows. But they have a weakness: They can’t swim.

An ant moat is simply a cup of water placed between the ants and the nectar. Here is how to get one.

---

🛠️ Option 1: The DIY “Spray Cap” Moat (Free)

You can make a functional moat in 5 minutes with trash.

What You Need:

• A plastic cap from a spray paint can (or hairspray).
• A piece of stiff wire (coat hanger).
• Hot glue or silicone.

Instructions:

1. Drill: Poke a hole in the center of the plastic cap.
2. Loop: Feed the wire through and make a loop on both the top (to hang) and bottom (to hold the feeder).
3. Seal: Use hot glue to seal the hole around the wire so it doesn’t leak.
4. Fill: Hang it up, fill the cap with water, and hang the feeder below it.
   • Result: Ants climb down the wire, hit the water, and turn around.

---

🛒 Option 2: The “Buy It & Forget It” (Best Value)

If you don’t want an ugly spray cap hanging in your garden, store-bought moats are cheap and pretty.

1. Best Overall: The “Flower” Cup

These look like an upside-down flower and hold plenty of water.

• 2-Pack Flower Ant Moats: Simple, effective, and red (attracts more birds).

2. Best for Style: The “Copper” Moat

If you have a fancy glass feeder, you want a fancy moat.

• Copper/Metal Ant Moat: (This links to a sturdy metal option). Metal lasts longer than plastic in the sun.

3. The “Invisible” Solution: Nectar Guard Tips

Some feeders allow you to put rubber tips over the feeding holes so ants can’t crawl in.

• Note: This only works if the ants can’t reach the main lid seam. A moat is usually better.

---

🚫 What NOT to Do (The Grease Trap)

Never put grease, oil, or Vaseline on your feeder pole.

• Why? If a hummingbird brushes its wing against the grease, it gums up their feathers. They cannot clean it off. It can ruin their ability to fly or stay warm, leading to death.
• Stick to Water: Water is 100% safe and 100% effective.

Happy (Ant-Free) Birding!