Ants in the nestbox

[David in Stafford,VA]

I remember seeing a discussion somewhere about how to control ants from getting into the nestbox. My BBs have built their second nest and as I looked in the box while mowing the lawn this afternoon I noticed tiny ants climbing the pole and going into the box. I looked under the nest and found the floor covered with these tiny ants and eggs. Can the ants be cleared and the nest remain or should I remove the lest and have them start all over.

David
Stafford, VA

[dogsandbirds]

You should grease the pole under the baffle where the birds can’t come into contact with it. I use lithium garage door track grease because it lasts all year. I would also lift the nest and wipe the ants and their eggs out of there.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, I believe the method used here is to grease your pole underneath the box with axel grease or petroleum jelly (axel grease will last all season), thus preventing the ants from getting into the box. Just put enough of a ring around the pole to stop the traffic, maybe 1/2″ or so. As far as the current box, I would believe you need to either do a nest change or put something under the nest, which is safe for the birds but kills the ants. Someone else needs to chime in here, because I’m not sure what this product is. Guess the question is, are there eggs/babies, or just a nest? Would be a whole lot easier is there were no eggs or babies. Gin, Tammy . . .???? what do you think?

[David in Stafford,VA]

Thanks Gin & Carol. They have just started the nest. It can’t be more than 3 days old. I have been checking periodically since the fledging a couple weeks ago. No eggs yet. I will get some axle grease tomorrow and apply it. I should remove the nest and hopefully they will build another. I might even try to put one together from my pile of lawn clippings since I just mowed the lawn.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 10 months ago by David in Stafford,VA.

David
Stafford, VA

[Donna in WI]

Just try to brush the ants out of the existing nest. Do not put fresh lawn clippings in the box, don’t put anything in the box. If you do remove the start of the nest, she will rebuild.

Donna in WI

[David in Stafford,VA]

Donna in WI wrote:

If you do remove the start of the nest, she will rebuild.

Thanks Donna and all. I did remove the nest and cleaned the box yesterday. This afternoon there is another nest almost as complete as the one I removed. Both birds have been in and out of the box all day. I expect she will start laying soon. I also bought a tube of the white lithium grease and applied it to the pole under the baffle. I will keep an I on that to see if it works.

I will post some photos of the new nest and the birds after the weekend. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

David

David
Stafford, VA

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