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Why You Should Add A Minty Essential Oil Near Your Hummingbird Feeder
By KRISTEEN CHERNEY
Adding peppermint essential oil near your hummingbird feeder may help deter pests like ants, wasps, and bees, which are often attracted to the sugary nectar meant for the birds.
Although it’s not yet clear whether the essential oil is completely effective or safe to use around hummingbirds, anecdotal reports suggest that it works without harming the birds.
To use, mix a few drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle filled with water, and apply it around the feeder. Alternatively, you can place cotton balls soaked in the oil nearby.
If you're concerned about the birds’ safety, planting peppermint in containers near the feeder provides a natural deterrent without exposing them directly to the oil.