Hummingbird Feeder Ant Trap

thingiverse

This is my "Hummingbird Feeder Ant Trap". All spaces inside are 1/2 inches wide. The oil cup is filled with mineral oil, a non-toxic substance that ants cannot cross without getting wet. To reach the other side, an ant must cross a 1/2 inch wide pool of oil, something they simply cannot do. To my knowledge, not a single ant has successfully crossed one of my oil cup barriers. This design is based on a proven concept I used to protect my bee hive from ants. One key difference between this trap and the previous one is that it features straight sides. The essential elements remain the same: there's no way for an ant to cross without spanning a 1/2 inch air gap or taking a swim in the oil. While the oil cup alone might be sufficient, the cover serves as a crucial additional layer of protection. It keeps rain out and prevents the oil from being washed away. Additionally, some insects may mistake the oil for water and drown if the pool is left uncovered. By installing the cover, you'll not only keep the rain out but also shield the oil pool from curious insects or wildlife. I've produced a batch of test units in yellow, which should be suitable for most people. If you have bees, however, I recommend using black as it's less likely to attract unwanted attention. For those without bees, red is an excellent alternative as it tends to attract hummingbirds.