Date: 7/7/25 6:31 am From: Deb Grantham <dgg3...> Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] ants in bird-feeders
Most detergents contain endocrine-disruptors, active even in tiny amounts. Dyes are part of that. Dawn has dyes.
Deb
From: <bounce-128835488-83565122...> <bounce-128835488-83565122...> On Behalf Of John Gregoire
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 6:55 AM
To: Paul Schmitt <pschmitt9...>; CAYUGABIRDS-L <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
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 <pschmitt9...><mailto:<pschmitt9...>> 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 <johnandsuegregoire...><mailto:<johnandsuegregoire...>> 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 <pschmitt9...><mailto:<pschmitt9...>> 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.
