How to Make a Hummingbird Moat

5 from 1 vote

How to make a moat to use with a hummingbird feeder to prevent ants from reaching the sugar water.

Total Time: 30 mins

Author: Melissa J. Will

Cost: $10

Watch the video for visual instructions.
Drill a hole in the middle of the plastic cup. Use a drill bit the same diameter as the eye hooks.
Place the nut on the lower eye hook as close to the eye as it can go. Add the washer.
Add a dab of Silicone Sealant to the underside of the cup where the washer will touch.
Add a dab of Silicone Sealant inside the cup around the hole where the second washer will rest.
Thread the lower eye hook up through the cup. The lower nut and washer will press against the cup (but don’t snap the plastic!).
Place the second washer down the eye hook to the bottom (inside) of the cup. Then add the second nut and tighten. You may need to use a wrench -gently.
Attach the coupling nut to the lower eye hook, with half the nut still available.
Insert the top eye hook into the coupling nut.
Allow Silicone Sealant to dry (most take 2 hours). Then hang moat from shepherd’s hook and hang hummingbird feeder from moat. And say good-bye to the ants.

A metal jar lid with a deep lip could also work instead of the plastic cup.