There's an easy way to make an ant-deterrent.

Cut the top off of a pop plastic bottle (say 20-oz coke, ours was Mountain
Dew), remove the screw-on cap and drill a hole in it. Thread the hanger for
the hummingbird feeder through the hole, so that the cap is inverted, and
the top is near the feeder, opening that *was* screwed onto the pop bottle
is up. push the cap all the way down, as close to the feeder as you can.
If possible, glue the cap to the top of the feeder (we used a hot clue gun).
Screw the bottle's top half back onto the cap, so that it forms a cup. Screw
it on tightly, seal with more glue if you want. Fill the "cup" with water,
and refill every as it evaporates. You now have an ant-block between the
feeder and whatever you hang it from!

We had the problem of ants continuously marching up the 'shepherds hook'
that our feeder hangs from. When we removed the feeder for cleaning, that
thing was *covered* with ants, looking for the free handout. We decided to
make this ant-block when we cleaned the feeder, and when we replaced the
feeder with ant-blocker, it was only minutes before they had marked the base
of the post with a 'no free meal; here scent, and nary an ant even bothers
to climb the pole to the hook anymore!

I've taken a couple of pictures (was buzzed by a hummer in the process!),
and have posted them. Not the most attractive feature, but *very*
functional!

Pics are he
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...47371020PNdsmy

and http://community.webshots.com/photo/...47371020bMIJtS

Cheryl wrote:
No, none of mine have eaten one. I just think of them as a snack
because they're so tiny. Very interesting birds.

In addition to loving cats, I am a bird watcher. I used to have a
hummingbird feeder years ago, but I was put off by the ants they
attract. The bees are no problem; hummingbirds predate on bees
invading their feeding territory. They crush them in their tiny
pointed beaks and drop them to the ground.

I put out a new "bee-proof" feeder and within a day the hummers
found it. I clean it and change the syrup every few days, so there
are many hummers that come visit. The ants discovered it, so I put
diamateous earth on the hanger and the deck rails and posts. The
ants have departed. I never knew what sound hummers make. Now I
know. At least the ruby throated that are common here. I can just
imagine what it must be like in Texas or other southern/western
states with lots of species of hummingbirds.

The first morning I started seeing them I think there was a baby.
It was perched on top of the feeder flapping its wings at another
that was hovering, just like other baby birds flap and call when
mom or dad is near. That one has stuck around (I can tell because
it is the only one that perches at the feeder rather than hovers
when feeding). This one is a male, and has developed a glorious
ruby colored throat, but there is a female that comes often, too.
Maybe its mother. When I first put out the feeder, there were
others, but they're very territorial, and there were fights and
chasing.

I just read that they start migrating back to the mountains in
Mexico from July through September, so I won't be seeing them for
much longer. I've so enjoyed them. The hummers at my house aren't
accustomed to people, so I haven't been able to photograph any yet.
The ones at my parents house are so used to people that they will
hover over your clothes if you're wearing something red or yellow.
My dad has sent me fantastic pictures.