[NatureNS] ants invading hummingbird feeders

From: "David&Jane Schlosberg" <dschlosb-g@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 12:16:25 -0300
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Hi, Jean.  I was concerned about the ants because they consumed so much of
the syrup.  A third of my container was gone in a couple of days, when no
hummers were about.  Also, we've really been overrun with these small ants
this summer, and I don't feel that I want to feed them.  You've given me a
new perspective on the situation, though.  Drat!  Everything's always more
complex than it appears!
Thanks.
Jane

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Jean Timpa
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:21 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] ants invading hummingbird feeders


	I don't maintain hummingbird feeders, so I am not quite sure why
there is such a fuss about the ants?  Do they actually clog the openings to
the feeder?  I can see that it would not be so much fun to try to handle
feeders with ants on them when replenishing the freshly made syrup. My
curiosity about this is that hummingbirds do require a certain amount of
protein in their diet, and I would think that the presence of the ants so
close
to their source of sugar syrup would be helpful to them and give them a far
better chance at a balanced diet. Surely this is how hummies capture small
insects, as they invade natural flowers for nectar.  Are these syrup feeders
really for the hummingbirds or for us?  Jean Timpa in Wolfville

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