Oh, thanks for the info on ants. I imagined the smallest ones. On Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 9:31 AM Deb Grantham <[email protected]> wrote:
> Most detergents contain endocrine-disruptors, active even in tiny amounts. > Dyes are part of that. Dawn has dyes. > > > > Deb > > > > > > *From:* [email protected] < > [email protected]> *On Behalf Of *John Gregoire > *Sent:* Monday, July 7, 2025 6:55 AM > *To:* Paul Schmitt <[email protected]>; CAYUGABIRDS-L < > [email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] ants in bird-feeders > > > > A diagram or photo of your invention would help as most use an open > cup between hanger and feeder. Any amt of soap could well be harmful to a > hummer's very small mass. > > > > > > On Mon, Jul 7, 2025 at 6:38 AM Paul Schmitt <[email protected]> wrote: > > You perhaps misunderstand? It is not a one-cup liquid measure. That > would be huge! Fabricated mine using a copper 1/2 inch pipe cap soldered > to a short length of heavy copper wire. Anyhow, a single drop of Dawn is > hardly toxic. > > > > Paul > > Sent from my iPad > > > > On Jul 7, 2025, at 6:30 AM, John Gregoire <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > > Strongly advise against your suggestion to use soap Paul. Physically, > breaking the surface tension is as you describe BUT, many birds including > hummers drink from the ant cups. > > John > > > > On Sun, Jul 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM Paul Schmitt <[email protected]> wrote: > > Ant guards only work if you add and a small, very small bit of soap to > break the surface tension. Think Dawn. Similarly, I add a drop or two of > dawn to the dandelion treatment so the treatment wets the weeds natural > surface barrier. > > > > > > Mine are hung from the house overhang by a 16 gauge wire with the ant > guard at eye level. There is a S hook next to accept the feeder. > > > > Also, NO RED DYE please. > > > > Good luck. > > > > Paul > > Sent from my iPhone > > > > On Jul 6, 2025, at 2:41 PM, Sandra J. Kisner <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Any suggestions for keeping ants out of hummingbird feeders? 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