Ants on Bird Table

[Picasso1975]

Hi all. I previously posted about my bird table in my garden which is going great, except for one thing. Ants are crawling up the pole and picking at the crumbs left on the table top. I hose them off regularly but they keep coming back.

Does anyone have any natural, non-store bought ant deterrents/killers which would also be harmless to birds like sparrows etc? Many thanks.

Birds will be glad of the ants for food

Very true reytmardy, thanks.

Either leave them as ants are lovely outdoors and some birds might eat them or put a water bowl at the end on each leg, the ants would drown though, but at least is chemical free

Why is that a problem? Ants won’t do any harm if they are outdoors.

Why is some people’s natural reaction to kill things?

I don't think this comment just above is helpful to the environment.

If we shame people or judge when they ask then next time they will go to the store and buy ant poison.

We are all learning

Human beings eyes face forward, in order to judge distance to prey. That's where we get our killer, carnivorous instinct.

WTF . Ants are hardly prey and it isn’t everyone’s instinct to kill insects, just those who don’t think it through.

Everything has a purpose. Presumably you enjoy birds? Kill the insects and the birds will follow.

This is one of the craziest things I've ever seen on here. Ants outside are a problem now? Also, can I ask what you are feeding the birds that attracts ants, as I've never seen any on my bird tables.

Smear vaseline in a ring round the pole.