A better hummingbird feeder ant trap

thingiverse

This is a proof of concept and practice exercise, to turn my real-world invention into a THING! My first printer is still on the way, so I haven't had a chance to print it yet. Other ant traps I've seen here are basically a cup in one form or another, to hold water. The problem with this is that it can dry out and collect debris. This one is different. It provides a permanent barrier by means of a smelly (to ants) substance that they won't cross. It consists of a shallow tray to hold said substance, with a cover against the rain. What smelly substance, I hear you asking? Talcum powder. Ants hate it. My real-world version, in the picture, consists of an upside down jar lid covered by an upside-down tuna can. It ain't pretty, but it works! It's kept my feeders ant-free for 2 summers. And it's set-it-and-forget-it. One dose of powder works from spring through fall. The thingy version works the same way, with even less muss and fuss. You put a layer of talcum powder in the shallow bottom tray, drop the cover open side down over the hook/post to rest on its support, and hang it up. Well, not so fast -- first you have to drill a hole for a screw-in hook on the bottom, which you will have to get at the hardware store. I wanted to put a hook on the bottom, but I couldn't see how the thing could be printed like that. I strongly suggest putting some caulk around the cover hole after it's in place, to keep water out. Use real talcum. Ants will eat corn starch. I've also read that cinnamon, black pepper, garlic, and mint will work. So if anyone feels adventurous, give it a print and tell me everything that's wrong with it! This is licensed for personal, non-commercial use.