Ants are a common problem many people experience with regard to their hummingbird feeders. As a result, people are always seeking ways to solve this pesky and challenging issue. The best solution to this problem is to block their passage to the feeder. This blog has many various post on how to accomplish this successfully, but this particular post will examine why things like Vaseline, tanglefoot or other oils should not be used on the hummingbird feeder.
For anyone who may have been following this blog for quite a while now, this is a change from what I have said on this subject in the past. In my own defense though, I did not know that those things could do harm to the hummingbirds. After all, no hummingbird enthusiast can possibly know everything there is to know on an particular subject because new information is constantly being discovered. I regret the error and wanted to make this new information available to you as soon as possible.
I have just recently discovered that things like Vaseline or tanglefoot, which is a sticky substance commonly found in garden stores, or other oils should never be use on hummingbird feeders. If you, like my mom, have tried this before don’t feel too guilty; you are not alone in having done this. I just want to point out why this should no longer be done.
The reason that things like Vaseline, tanglefoot or other oils should not be used is because these substances can get on the hummingbird’s feathers and cause the bird’s feathers to stick together and thus make it difficult for the hummingbird to properly clean itself or it may even prevent the bird from being able to fly. because its feathers have stuck together.
This never occurred to me before. What about you? I just know that I don’t want to intentionally cause harm to the hummingbirds and I’m sure you don’t either.