In a message dated 6/26/2008 8:27:16 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
 writes:

Do  hummingbirds eat ants? If so, I will live with it so she can have
her  "tootsie rolls." But if they are a problem for her, is there a way
to  discourage ants without harming the hummer?




I had a serious black ant problem earlier in the season, with the big black  
ones climbing the metal poles, no matter where I placed them. I ended their  
picnics at my Perky Pet 4 fountain feeders with a liberal application of  
petroleum jelly (or anything of similar consistency) smeared across the top of  the 
feeder, and a bit applied to the top of the hanging wire. Though it melts a  
bit in the sun, it's easy to reapply each time I fill the feeder, and really  
keeps the ants away. Now, not even a sign of them anywhere near the poles  
anymore! 
 
And no I don't think the hummers will eat the ants; at least not the big  
black ones I had. They were just a nuisance to the birds as they tried to feed.  

Last night I was watching the feeder and had 2 males come at once. One  would 
feed and the other would perch about 12 inches above it on the Sheppard  
crook pole, waiting its' turn. Very unusual behavior. They even seemed to take  
turns, mostly. Very little battling going on. It was fun to watch.

Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD




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