What is an ant moat?

An ant moat is a water-filled barrier that stops ants from reaching a bird or hummingbird feeder by blocking their path with a moat of water they can't cross. The Ant-Mote™ is a patented pole-mounted ant moat that installs directly on the pole below the feeder.

What should you put in an ant moat's water?

No. An ant moat's water, whether pole-mounted or hung, is a drinking and bathing source for birds and bees, so only clean, fresh water should go in it. Do not add soap, food coloring, oils, or other additives, which can be harmful to wildlife.

How often should water be added to The Ant-Mote™?

Keep the water level no lower than ½ inch from the bottom of The Ant-Mote™. We suggest you check the water every other day in high heat, and more often if birds are actively bathing in it.

Where can I get a pole for The Ant-Mote™?

There are multiple places where you can find poles for The Ant-Mote™.

First, we sell kits for The Ant-Mote™ that include poles here.

Second, most of our retail partners carry The Ant-Mote™ and a selection of poles. If neither of those options is available to you, Ace Hardware, True Value, Lowe’s, and Home Depot carry our third recommendation, Schedule M copper tubing. Just be aware, for an outside diameter of ⅝” (.625”) it is important to look for a tube labeled ½” (.5”) inside diameter.

Finally, Erva, the preeminent garden products manufacturer based in Chicago, IL, has developed a line of garden staffs specifically for The Ant-Mote™ and compatible nectar feeders. These are available through their vast network of retail partners in 3’, 4’, 5’, and 6’ lengths, as well as a 2’ deck clamp. You can find more information as it becomes available on our stocklist page and on Instagram, @theantmote.

Does an ant moat harm ants, or does it just keep them away?

No. An ant moat is a physical water barrier, not a poison or trap. Ants that reach the water's edge simply turn around and retreat. This is a key difference from chemical ant repellents or sticky barriers, which affect the ants directly rather than just blocking their path. Chemicals and sticky substances can be harmful to both birds and insects.

I’ve tried other ant moats and use the integrated moat in my nectar feeder, but ants still find a way in. Why is The Ant-Mote™ different?

The Ant-Mote's dish is sized specifically to maximize water volume and slow evaporation. Most built-in and hanging ant moats use a much smaller diameter reservoir, which lets ants bridge the gap once the water level drops even slightly. In over 5 years of testing, ants have not bridged the water and reached a pole-mounted feeder protected by The Ant-Mote™.

What is the best way to clean an ant moat?

Refresh the water about every other day with a garden hose or watering can. We also suggest dumping and replacing the water after storms by lifting The Ant-Mote™ above the bushing and tipping the water out. When you remove the feeder for its regular cleaning, wash The Ant-Mote™ by hand with soap and water. However, do not put it in the dishwasher; the heat and abrasive dishwasher detergent can damage its UV-resistant coating.

Sometimes when I reinstall The Ant-Mote™ and fill it with water, it slides down the pole. What should I do?

When installing or reinstalling The Ant-Mote™ it is important to make sure that the pole is clean and completely dry before putting on the conical bushing. But it is also important to make sure that the inside of the conical bushing is also clean and completely dry. Water reduces friction and may infrequently cause The Ant-Mote™ to slide. Once both the pole and bushing are dry and The Ant-Mote™ is seated firmly back onto the bushing, it will not slide down the pole. You can follow the steps on our installation page, here.

I just tried to install The Ant-Mote™, but the dish and bushing will not slide down the pole. What can I do?

It is a fairly common misconception that The Ant-Mote™ and bushing should be installed at the same time. However, this is not possible or recommended. The bushing and Ant-Mote dish should be installed separately, where the bushing is affixed to the pole first to the desired height, then The Ant-Mote™ dish is slipped onto the pole and pressed into place. The two parts work together to anchor the entire assembly onto the pole without tools. For more information, please refer to our installation page here.

Is The Ant-Mote™ available in other colors?

The Ant-Mote™ is currently available only in clear, UV-resistant polycarbonate, chosen so it stays visually unobtrusive on the pole rather than for color options.

Does The Ant-Mote™ come in other sizes?

YES, The Ant-Mote™ comes in two sizes: one for ⅝" diameter poles and one for 1" poles. Both hold about 18 oz of water, enough to function as an ant moat for an average of two days between refills. Find a list of compatible nectar feeders here.

Is The Ant-Mote™ only available online?

No. While you can purchase The Ant-Mote™ directly from our website, our products are also available in a growing number of local retailers. You can find a list of all our retail partners here.

Is The Ant-Mote™ dishwasher safe?

No, The Ant-Mote™ is not dishwasher safe because the heat and abrasive detergents can damage its UV resistance. Clean The Ant-Mote™ by hand with mild dish soap, warm water, and a sponge or paper towel, ideally at the same time you clean your hummingbird feeder.

What is the best recipe for hummingbird nectar?

We recommend following the instructions from the National Audubon Society. “How to Make Hummingbird Nectar”

The standard ratio is 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water (for example, ¼ cup sugar to 1 cup water), per the National Audubon Society's nectar guidelines. Change the nectar regularly, and more frequently in hot weather, since it ferments faster in heat.

My nectar feeder already has a built-in ant moat. Why do I need The Ant-Mote™?

A feeder's built-in ant moat is small and only designed to interrupt ants when the feeder is hung.

Pole-mounting your feeder creates a visually refined and stable platform for your feeder. The Ant-Mote™ mounts on the pole directly below your feeder, stopping ants and other crawling insects before they can reach the feeder.

Where can I see The Ant-Mote™ in person?

In addition to being sold through our website, The Ant-Mote™ is available through a fantastic and growing network of retailers. A comprehensive list of stocking retailers can be found here.

If you are a retailer interested in stocking The Ant-Mote™, we are distributed by Erva and Gold Crest.

How do I keep ants out of my smart bird feeder?

Install The Ant-Mote™ for 1” on the pole below the feeder. This creates a water barrier that stops ants climbing the pole before they reach the feeder.

Do smart bird feeders need an ant moat?

Most smart bird feeders do not include a built-in ant barrier designed for pole mounting. If the feeder is pole-mounted, adding a separate pole-mounted ant moat, such as The Ant-Mote™ for 1” poles, is necessary to stop ants and other crawling insects from reaching it.

Where should I place The Ant-Mote™ on a Wild Birds Unlimited Advanced Pole System® (APS) pole?

On a Wild Birds Unlimited Advanced Pole System® (APS), place The Ant-Mote™ a few inches below the connection between the ground pole section and the first extension pole. For more information, see our detailed blog post here.