I once used vegetable oil over top of the water on the ant moat of my Humzinger. When it rained, it splashed the oil all over the feeder. What a sticky mess when trying to clean it. I had to scrub it fiercely to get the sticky stuff off. I wouldn't recommend putting vegetable oil anywhere on the feeder. Think about it, it sits there in the sun and bakes on, making a mess.

Just my opinion.

Deb in PA

I thought of putting a little vegetable oil in ant traps too, because of bees and wasps. But it occurred to me that small birds bathe in or drink out of them too, and it would probably stick to their feathers. Could make them ill trying to clean it off themselves, too.

I don't used any type of oil near my feeders as it could get ingested by the hummers or on their feathers.

Penny

Koke.. I wouldn't try the oil either/ but this morning I used the vinegar (cider) treatment/ and it WORKS. Still see them trying to land on it/ but not a one drinking. Now to see if the hummers use it.

Please don't use oil for the above mentioned reasons. I used to do that on the top of my old perky pet (pre-ant moat) until I learned how hazardous it could be for birds. Now it's just straight water and is refilled every couple of days as the Dee's and Goldfinches like to drink out of it. Don't know why there is a whole birdbath just for them hehe

I did this once and only once. Trust me...you don't want to do this! The oil just bakes on the feeder, runs in the ports and into the nectar. What a horrible mess to get cleaned up.

I totally agree with the vinegar....it works like a charm.

Charlotte

I will not use the Vegeatable Oil but will try the vinegar.Unless,there are some who did not agree with that.Sounds rather reasonable to me,though. Thanks for all your input,I really do appreciate your taking the time to answer.

Koke, Rodeo squirrel said she cut an apple in half and put it away from the feeder to atracct the bees. I did the vinigar thing and it kept the honey bees away but not the wasps so I put some nectar in a gladwear container with a plastic yellow lid floating in it and that seem to be helping,of course now I cant go out on my deck to watch the other birds :( I will think of something.