How to Stop Ants From Reaching Your Bird Feeder on a Wild Birds Unlimited Advanced Pole System® Pole
Place The Ant‑Mote™ on the lowest section of the Wild Birds Unlimited Advanced Pole System® pole, just below the first connection point above the base. This position creates a water barrier before ants can enter the upper pole sections that lead to your feeder.
Wild Birds Unlimited’s Advanced Pole System® (APS) is a modular pole system designed to support multiple feeders and accessories. The Ant‑Mote™ for 1″ poles fits APS poles directly and works with all standard APS configurations, whether you are using a nectar feeder, seed feeder, or smart bird feeder.
Why this placement works
On an APS pole, ants climb from the ground up the lowest pole section, then through the opening created by the connection between pole sections. If The Ant‑Mote™ is installed higher up, ants can travel through the lower sections and linkages, then emerge above the moat and reach the feeder.
By placing The Ant‑Mote™ on the lowest section, just below the first connection point, you stop ants at the base of the system. They hit the water barrier before they can enter the rest of the pole, so they never reach the feeder above.
How to install The Ant‑Mote™ on an APS pole
1. Start at the base. Identify the lowest pole section, where the pole meets the ground or deck mount.
2. Find the first connection point. This is the first joint where pole sections connect above the base.
3. Install The Ant‑Mote™ on the lowest section. Slide the conical bushing and dish onto the pole so the dish sits just below that first connection point.
4. Fill with clean water. Use only fresh water, no soap or additives.
5. Mount your feeder above. Attach your nectar feeder, seed feeder, or smart bird feeder to the APS as usual, above The Ant‑Mote™.
Make sure the pole is clean and dry before installing the conical bushing, and press it firmly so it stays in place. Once installed, the water in the dish forms a continuous barrier that ants cannot cross.
What happens if The Ant‑Mote™ is placed too high?
If The Ant‑Mote™ is installed above the first connection point, ants can still travel through the lower pole sections and linkages. They may then exit the pole above the moat and reach the feeder, even if the dish is full. This is why the lowest-section placement is important on modular APS poles.
Does this work for all APS setups?
Yes. This placement method is appropriate for all standard variations of the Wild Birds Unlimited Advanced Pole System. Whether your APS supports a single feeder or multiple feeders, and whether you are using traditional feeders or smart bird feeders, the rule is the same: install The Ant‑Mote™ on the lowest pole section, just below the first connection point above the base.
Keeping your feeder ant‑free
With The Ant‑Mote™ in the correct position and the dish kept filled with fresh water, ants and other crawling insects are stopped before they can reach your feeder. This lets you enjoy a clean, ant‑free feeding station and more time watching birds instead of managing pests.
For more details on The Ant‑Mote™ for 1″ poles, visit the product page here.
