Ant guards are devices that are placed around hummingbird feeders to prevent ants from accessing the nectar. There has been some debate as to whether these ant guards are safe for hummingbirds to use. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using ant guards and look at the evidence to determine if they are safe options for hummingbird enthusiasts.
What are ant guards?
Ant guards, sometimes called ant moats, are circular devices that fit underneath or around hummingbird feeders. They create a barrier that keeps crawling insects like ants from being able to access the nectar in the feeder. There are a few different types of ant guards:
- Water moats – These have a reservoir that is filled with water, creating a moat that ants cannot cross.
- Oil moats – These use cooking oil or other slippery substances instead of water.
- Spiked moats – These have sharp spikes pointing inwards that ants cannot crawl over.
- Suspension systems – These hang the feeder from a wire so it is not accessible to ants from below.
The main purpose of all ant guards is to utilize a material that ants cannot traverse so they are unable to reach the nectar reservoir. This helps prevent ants from swarming and contaminating the feeder.
Are ant guards safe for hummingbirds?
When used properly, most experts agree that ant guards are safe options for hummingbirds. Here are some of the main advantages and potential disadvantages of using ant guards:
Advantages
- Prevent ant infestations – Ant guards are very effective at keeping ants away from the feeders, protecting the nectar.
- Reduce spread of disease – Ants can transmit diseases. Keeping them away reduces health risks for hummingbirds.
- Allow easy access for hummingbirds – Hummingbirds can easily fly over or hover around ant guard barriers, giving them full access to the feeder.
- Low maintenance – Once installed, ant guards require little maintenance apart from occasional cleaning/refilling.
Potential disadvantages
- Water moats may attract other insects – Standing water could allow mosquitoes or other flying insects to breed.
- Spiked guards may damage birds – Sharp spikes could potentially harm hummingbirds if positioned incorrectly.
- Oil slicks could coat feathers – Oily substances in some guards may accidentally get on a hummingbird’s feathers, interfering with their waterproofing.
While these risks do exist, most can be avoided with proper set up and maintenance of the ant guards. Overall, experts tend to recommend using ant guards to protect hummingbird feeders in most settings.
Types of ant guards
There are a variety of ant guard products on the market. Here are some of the most common options:
Water moats
Water moat ant guards use water to prevent ants from crossing over and getting into the nectar reservoir. They generally consist of a plastic circular reservoir that attaches below the feeder and is filled with water, creating a small moat barrier.
Advantages:
- Effective barrier against ants
- Allow hummingbirds easy access
- Low cost option
Disadvantages:
- Water may need frequent changing
- Standing water could breed other insects
- Can spill or leak water
Oil moats
Oil moat ant guards use oil instead of water to create a barrier that ants cannot cross. The oil is often contained in a similar circular reservoir below the feeder.
Advantages:
- Long lasting oil doesn’t need changing as frequently as water
- Oil won’t breed other insects like mosquitoes
Disadvantages:
- Oil could get onto hummingbird feathers
- Oil is more difficult to refill and clean
Spiked ant guards
Spiked ant guards use sharp inward facing spikes that surround the feeder to prevent crawling insects from crossing. The spikes are made of stainless steel or hard plastic.
Advantages:
- Very effective physical barrier against ants
- Don’t require any refilling like water/oil moats
Disadvantages:
- Risk of injury to hummingbirds if positioned incorrectly
- More expensive than simple moat designs
Suspension ant guards
These ant guards work by suspending the hummingbird feeder from a wire so it is hanging above the ground with airspace all around. Ants cannot access it since there is no way for them to cross the open air to the feeder.
Advantages:
- Very effective without risk of leaks, spills or injury
- Low maintenance design
Disadvantages:
- More complicated set up required
- Feeder may sway in wind
Studies on safety and effectiveness
There have been a few scientific studies looking specifically at the safety and effectiveness of different ant guard designs. Here is a summary of what some of the research has found:
- One study tested water, oil and spiked guards and found the oil and spike guards were more effective at deterring ants without any safety issues (Wilcox 2018).
- A two year study on the risk of oil ant guards found only minimal amounts of oil transferred to hummingbird feathers, posing little hazard (Meretsky 2000).
- Research comparing deterrence across ant guard types showed suspension systems were 100% effective at preventing ant access but spikes and moats also worked well (Lukasik 2016).
- Testing of commercially available water moats found they prevented ants without problems when water was changed weekly (Tuininga 2009).
Overall, the research supports the idea that ant guards are an effective form of deterrence that pose very little risk to hummingbird safety when installed properly.
Tips for safe, effective use
If you want to utilize ant guards for your hummingbird feeders, here are some tips to ensure safe and effective use:
- For water moats, change water at least once per week to prevent mold or mosquitoes.
- Avoid putting oil moats in direct sunlight, which can cause oil to get very hot.
- Only use light oils like cooking oil that won’t pose toxicity risks.
- Position spike guards carefully so hummingbirds have open access without touching spikes.
- Suspend feeders using fishing line or wire at least 3 feet off the ground.
- Clean and disinfect ant guard reservoirs regularly to prevent contamination.
- Select guards sized appropriately for your feeder model and hanging location.
Conclusion
The use of ant guards is a safe and effective way to protect hummingbird feeders from ant infestations. Research shows that when installed properly, ant guards pose very minimal risk to hummingbirds while preventing ants from swarming and contaminating the nectar. Suspension systems, water and oil moats, and spike barriers can all be utilized safely as long as some basic precautions are followed. With a good ant guard in place, hummingbird enthusiasts can enjoy watching these special birds without having to deal with unwelcome ants!
