Hi there. By happenstance, I purchased a feeder yesterday exactly as you showed in the video. Thanks for the almond extract hint. Historically, I have not had great luck attracting hummingbirds here in Virginia. However, I moved in 2023 and have seen a hummingbird coming regularly lately (starting Aug 2024) to certain flowers in my back yard. I saw none last year or earlier in 2024 because I have had to clear the lot my house sits on (yard had not been touched since 1996, completely overgrown trees, ivy, honeysuckle, poison ivy, briars, etc. - last year I had to hire a bulldozer for 4 days just to actually access the back yard). I planted a bunch of flowers both annuals and perennials, shrubs, and trees this year. Question: I have heard you can put olive oil in the moat instead of water. Is that accurate? My old feeder at my previous residence had a moat but it seemed the water evaporated daily. Seems oil might last longer, but I would think it would spoil.
@user-wi3yr2sg3t I'm so glad you liked this video! Thanks for checking out my channel. In terms of using oil in the feeder moat, I see two potential problems. One is that I think you are right to worry about the olive oil going bad. Olive oil can get rancid and start to smell unpleasant. The other is that some ants actually like olive oil as a food source, so you may end up attracting more ants to your feeder instead of repelling them. I think water is the best bet (even though it may mean refilling that moat frequently).
@ABirdingNaturalist Thanks for the feedback and recommendation; my gut feeling was water or nothing in the moat. I have a fair amount of wildlife this year (black bear twice in back yard this Spring) and have attracted a huge number of birds at several feeders. Last summer I saw several hawks daily, which got rid of my vole and mouse problems and thinned the squirrel and chipmunk populations to sustainable levels. I also feed the chipmunks and squirrels daily. I have 4 dachshunds and I regularly leave my back door (from kitchen) propped open so dogs can come and go into the (now) fenced back yard. One day in May I had the biggest Blue Jay I have ever seen perched on my kitchen counter. Also had squirrels and chipmunks wander in. One last question. I recently purchased 3 bat houses (different sizes and styles) which I have not put up (I really like bats and good for mosquito control). One I ordered and others purchased locally in Richmond, VA. The one I ordered said to mount it to a dead tree (which I no longer have). Do you have recommendations (e.g., direction facing, height above ground)? I am going to put them on trees in different parts of front and back yards.
@user-wi3yr2sg3t Bat boxes are awesome! I am no bat expert, but from what I know, bats like to be warm, so picking a sunny spot is probably a good idea. Other than that, I would check with an organization like Bat Conservation International or a similar group. Near me is Northern California Bats, but I'm sure there are similar groups in other parts of the world. I hope you share your findings and if you get bats using the boxes!
I have the same kind of feeder you showed with the central ant moat. One thing I learned the hard way is not to let the edges of the feeder touch anything like a leaf or twig, ants can get to the nectar that way 🙄. Also, check the feeder daily to see if the ants are in there because the water in the moat has evaporated, etc. I’ve found mud in the ant moat several times. Mud daubers or wasps of some kind were using the water to make their nests. But I’ve never seen a wasp try to get the nectar. 😊
@@jimmysanchez2416 Well, that sounds really annoying! I wonder if there is any way to prevent the top from coming off. Maybe adding some tape around the rim to make the fit more snug. Placing the feeder somewhere sheltered from the wind is certainly a good consideration.
I just bought this feeder. Thanks for the information
Your welcome! Thanks for checking out my channel, and I hope you enjoy the feeder. I like it.
Hi there. By happenstance, I purchased a feeder yesterday exactly as you showed in the video. Thanks for the almond extract hint. Historically, I have not had great luck attracting hummingbirds here in Virginia. However, I moved in 2023 and have seen a hummingbird coming regularly lately (starting Aug 2024) to certain flowers in my back yard. I saw none last year or earlier in 2024 because I have had to clear the lot my house sits on (yard had not been touched since 1996, completely overgrown trees, ivy, honeysuckle, poison ivy, briars, etc. - last year I had to hire a bulldozer for 4 days just to actually access the back yard). I planted a bunch of flowers both annuals and perennials, shrubs, and trees this year.
Question: I have heard you can put olive oil in the moat instead of water. Is that accurate? My old feeder at my previous residence had a moat but it seemed the water evaporated daily. Seems oil might last longer, but I would think it would spoil.
@user-wi3yr2sg3t I'm so glad you liked this video! Thanks for checking out my channel. In terms of using oil in the feeder moat, I see two potential problems. One is that I think you are right to worry about the olive oil going bad. Olive oil can get rancid and start to smell unpleasant. The other is that some ants actually like olive oil as a food source, so you may end up attracting more ants to your feeder instead of repelling them. I think water is the best bet (even though it may mean refilling that moat frequently).
@ABirdingNaturalist Thanks for the feedback and recommendation; my gut feeling was water or nothing in the moat. I have a fair amount of wildlife this year (black bear twice in back yard this Spring) and have attracted a huge number of birds at several feeders. Last summer I saw several hawks daily, which got rid of my vole and mouse problems and thinned the squirrel and chipmunk populations to sustainable levels. I also feed the chipmunks and squirrels daily.
I have 4 dachshunds and I regularly leave my back door (from kitchen) propped open so dogs can come and go into the (now) fenced back yard. One day in May I had the biggest Blue Jay I have ever seen perched on my kitchen counter. Also had squirrels and chipmunks wander in.
One last question. I recently purchased 3 bat houses (different sizes and styles) which I have not put up (I really like bats and good for mosquito control). One I ordered and others purchased locally in Richmond, VA. The one I ordered said to mount it to a dead tree (which I no longer have). Do you have recommendations (e.g., direction facing, height above ground)? I am going to put them on trees in different parts of front and back yards.
@user-wi3yr2sg3t Bat boxes are awesome! I am no bat expert, but from what I know, bats like to be warm, so picking a sunny spot is probably a good idea. Other than that, I would check with an organization like Bat Conservation International or a similar group. Near me is Northern California Bats, but I'm sure there are similar groups in other parts of the world. I hope you share your findings and if you get bats using the boxes!
I have the same kind of feeder you showed with the central ant moat. One thing I learned the hard way is not to let the edges of the feeder touch anything like a leaf or twig, ants can get to the nectar that way 🙄. Also, check the feeder daily to see if the ants are in there because the water in the moat has evaporated, etc.
I’ve found mud in the ant moat several times. Mud daubers or wasps of some kind were using the water to make their nests. But I’ve never seen a wasp try to get the nectar. 😊
Keeping the feeder away from leaves and branches is a great point!!! Thanks for your notes!
If it's a windy day the red plastic will come off the clear plastic that holds the liquid.
@@jimmysanchez2416 Well, that sounds really annoying! I wonder if there is any way to prevent the top from coming off. Maybe adding some tape around the rim to make the fit more snug. Placing the feeder somewhere sheltered from the wind is certainly a good consideration.
I have the same feeder, and I am always fishing out bees and flies.
How do you feel about using nectar caps on the inside?
I use axle grease around my hummingbird feeder hook , it works
@@jtacree8510 Great suggestion! Thanks for sharing it!