Sunday, April 5, 2020

Ants-away for Hummingbird Feeder

Ants on your hummingbird feeder? 

Here's a simple way to keep them off. Very durable, very simple, and very cheap. See disclaimer at bottom

Materials needed:

     (1)-Tuna Can or similar
     (1)-two inch long machine screw
     (2)-nuts to fit machine screw
     (2)-small rubber washers
     (2)-short (about 6 inches long) pieces of copper electric wire

Hints: 

   - CAUTION: wire must be wrapped tight around machine screw to stop slipping, which could break the feeder.
   - Pliers can be used to twist the wire around the machine screw.
   - Stripping insulation from wire probably not needed. I did to make it easier to wrap the wire.
   - The first set of rubber washers I used were much larger and stiffer, and leaked like a sieve. 
   - There's a rubber washer on the inside of the can (not visible)

Close-up shot:
 Connection on top:

 Connection on bottom
 Close-up of bottom connection (notice rubber washer next to can)

One possible source for washers (they come on the nails)

 Close-up on machine screw
 Close-up on washer

Disclaimer: For information only. Not responsible for any damage caused by using this setup. Metals have sharp edges and will cut fingers.

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