Ants and bees on a hummingbird feeder

Of the nectar feeders this site has researched, three publish a built-in ant moat and two of those also publish bee guards. The rest list neither on the manufacturer's own page — which does not mean the feeder is bad, only that an ant moat is a second purchase you should know about before the ants arrive. Every figure below is the maker's own, read on the dates in the sources.

Ants: a moat, or nothing

Ants reach a feeder by walking, which means they arrive along the hook, the wire or the pole. A moat is a small cup of plain water sitting in that path, and an ant will not cross it. That is the entire mechanism, and it is why nothing about the feeder below the moat matters: the ants never get that far.

• Fill it with plain water only. Not oil, not soap, not insecticide — anything that can drip into the nectar or coat a bird's feathers is a bad idea in a cup hanging directly above the food.
• Check it in hot weather. A moat that has evaporated dry is a bridge. In high summer that can happen in a day.
• A built-in moat is one less thing to hang. The Nature's Way Orange Blossom, the Birds Choice Oriolefest and the Perky-Pet Fruit Trio all publish one as part of the feeder.
• A separate moat works just as well. It hangs between the hook and the feeder. If your feeder has no moat, this is the fix, and it is inexpensive.
• Wipe up drips. A feeder that leaks nectar down its own outside is a feeder that recruits ants faster than a moat can stop them.

Bees and wasps: the port is the product

Bees and wasps fly in, so a moat does nothing for them. They come through the feeding port, and the only things that change that are the shape of the port and whether there is a guard over it. A hummingbird's tongue extends well beyond its bill, so a port can be designed so the bird reaches nectar that an insect standing on the port cannot. Nature's Way describes the flexible flower-shaped ports on its Orange Blossom feeder as a bee-resistant design on exactly that principle.

A bee guard is the blunter version: a plastic cage over the port that keeps insects at a distance from the nectar. Birds Choice includes bee guards in the box with the Oriolefest, and Perky-Pet publishes them as built in on the Fruit Trio. Both are honest, mechanical answers, and both are more reliable than anything you can do to a feeder that was not designed for it.

Which feeders publish what

Three of the feeders above are oriole feeders, and that is deliberate rather than accidental: the oriole-feeder category publishes insect hardware far more often than the hummingbird-feeder category does. Hummingbirds will readily use an oriole feeder — the ports are larger than they need but perfectly usable — which is covered in full in hummingbird feeder vs oriole feeder. If insects are your main problem, that crossover is worth knowing about.

The picks

Ranked picks with what each is best for, our score out of ten, the budget band it falls in, and a link to check its current price on Amazon.

#	Pick	Best for	Score	Price
01	Nature's Way Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (OFG2)The rare oriole feeder that publishes its numbers, and the only one here that feeds nectar, jelly and fruit from the same frame.Under $25	Orioles, which a hummingbird feeder will not hold	7.9out of 10	$13.95 · View on Amazon #ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded
02	Birds Choice Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover, 12 oz (NP1012)The only feeder here with a cover over the food, four jelly trays instead of one, and a maker willing to put it in the dishwasher.Under $100	Wet weather, and all three foods under one roof	7.8out of 10	$22.99 · View on Amazon $54.9958% off #ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded
03	Perky-Pet Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder, 30 oz (209BO-4)The same three-food idea as the Nature's Way, in a glass bottle with four large perches -- but the jelly cup and orange spike take up feeding ports to do it.Under $50	A glass all-in-one with the most perch room	7.2out of 10	$17.60 · View on Amazon $19.9912% off #ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded
04	More Birds Glass Hummingbird FeederGlass rather than plastic, because the part that decides whether a nectar feeder works is how easily it comes apart to be washed.Under $25	A first nectar feeder that does not need an app	7.0out of 10	$16.97 · View on Amazon #ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded

Scores are ours, from the published rubric on the how-we-pick page. They are editorial judgments about published specifications and cost arithmetic, not test results — we have not handled these products.

Pick 01

Orioles, which a hummingbird feeder will not hold

Nature's Way Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (OFG2)

The rare oriole feeder that publishes its numbers, and the only one here that feeds nectar, jelly and fruit from the same frame.

Score

7.9

Published specs

9.0

Cleaning

8.0

Versatility

9.0

Season length

5.0

Budget band

Under $25

$13.95 · View on Amazon

#ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded

Published specifications

Nectar capacity

30 ozSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

Feeding ports

4 flexible flower-shaped ports, with 4 perchesSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

Jelly and fruit

2 removable jelly dishes plus built-in orange spikesSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

Materials

Glass nectar reservoir, UV-stabilized non-rusting plastic, powder-coated steel hangerSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

Dimensions

12.59 in H x 10 in W x 10 in D, 1.5 lbSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

Pest control

Built-in ant moat; the maker describes the port shape as bee-resistantSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

Cleaning

The maker states all parts remove for cleaningSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

List price

$17.99 direct from the manufacturerSource: Nature's Way Bird Products, Orange Blossom Glass Oriole Feeder (model OFG2) product page, natureswaybirds.com, read 2026-09-06, re-read 2026-09-19

What it gets right

• Publishes real figures — capacity, port count, dimensions — which most feeders in this class do not
• Nectar, jelly and orange halves from one feeder, so you are not guessing which one orioles will take
• Glass reservoir takes hot water, which matters because nectar ferments
• Built-in ant moat, normally a separate purchase

What it does not

• Orioles are seasonal and regional — in much of the country they pass through for a few weeks and then are gone
• 30 oz of nectar is far more than a few orioles drink, so it will need dumping rather than emptying
• Jelly draws wasps and ants in high summer no matter what the moat does
• Larger and heavier than a hummingbird feeder, so it needs a real hook

Who it is for

Someone who has seen an oriole in the yard, or lives where they breed, and has been trying to hold them with a hummingbird feeder they cannot fit on.

Skip this if

Orioles do not visit the recipient's yard. This is a species-specific feeder, and unlike a seed feeder it will sit empty if the birds are not there. Check first.

Pick 02

Wet weather, and all three foods under one roof

Birds Choice Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover, 12 oz (NP1012)

The only feeder here with a cover over the food, four jelly trays instead of one, and a maker willing to put it in the dishwasher.

Score

7.8

Weather protection

9.0

Versatility

9.0

Cleaning

8.5

Nectar capacity

4.0

Budget band

Under $100

$22.99 · View on Amazon

$54.9958% off

#ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded

Published specifications

Nectar capacity

12 ozSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Feeding ports

4Source: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Jelly

4 jelly trays, set on the coverSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Fruit

Holds half an orange, on a pointed brass rod that doubles as the hangerSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Weather protection

Orange protective weatherguard, which the maker says keeps nectar out of the rain and coolerSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Pest control

Built-in ant moat; bee guards includedSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Material

High-impact polycarbonateSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Dimensions

13 in L x 13 in W x 12.5 in H, 2.5 lbSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Cleaning

Top rack dishwasher safeSource: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

Maker's list price and stock

$58.99, in stock and ready to ship on 2026-09-19Source: Birds Choice, Oriolefest Oriole Nectar Feeder with Cover - 12 oz (SKU NP1012) product page, birdschoice.com, read 2026-09-19

What it gets right

• The only pick here with a roof over the food, which is what a week of May rain ruins first
• Four jelly trays rather than one dish, so several orioles can feed without queuing
• The only feeder on this page its maker clears for a dishwasher, top rack
• Ant moat built in and bee guards in the box, both normally separate purchases

What it does not

• Birds Choice's own store lists it at $58.99, far above what this feeder usually sells for -- the number on the button is the one that matters
• The smallest nectar reservoir here at 12 oz, so a busy yard means more trips outside
• The four jelly trays sit on top of the cover, so the weatherguard that shields the nectar is not over them
• 13 in across and 2.5 lb, the biggest and heaviest thing on this page -- it needs a hook with real clearance

Who it is for

Someone who already knows orioles come to the yard, wants to offer nectar, jelly and orange at once, and lives somewhere it rains in spring.

Skip this if

You only ever put out nectar. You would be paying for jelly trays, an orange skewer and a weatherguard you will not use, and the First Nature holds nearly three times the nectar.

Pick 03

A glass all-in-one with the most perch room

Perky-Pet Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder, 30 oz (209BO-4)

The same three-food idea as the Nature's Way, in a glass bottle with four large perches -- but the jelly cup and orange spike take up feeding ports to do it.

Score

7.2

Versatility

7.5

Perch room

8.5

Cleaning

7.5

Value

6.5

Budget band

Under $50

$17.60 · View on Amazon

$19.9912% off

#ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded

Published specifications

Nectar capacity

Up to 30 ozSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Feeding ports

4, each with a large perchSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Jelly and fruit

A jelly cup and an orange spike, which the maker says attach to the feeding portsSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Pest control

Built-in ant moat and bee guardsSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Materials

Clear glass bottle on an orange baseSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Dimensions

11.25 in H x 9.1 in W x 9.1 in D, 1.35 lbSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Filling and cleaning

Wide-mouth openingSource: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

Dishwasher

Not published by the manufacturer in a form we could verify on the maker's product page

Maker's list price and stock

$31.49 list, shown at a special price of $23.49 on 2026-09-19Source: Perky-Pet, Fruit Trio Oriole Nectar Feeder (model 209BO-4) product page, perkypet.com, read 2026-09-19

What it gets right

• Four large perches, the most perch room of the all-in-ones here
• Clear glass bottle, so the nectar level is readable from the window without taking it down
• Ant moat and bee guards both built in
• Wide-mouth opening, which is what makes a nectar feeder easy to keep clean rather than easy to neglect

What it does not

• The jelly cup and orange spike attach to the feeding ports, so putting out all three foods leaves two nectar ports of the four
• One jelly cup, against the two dedicated dishes on the Nature's Way OFG2
• Perky-Pet's own list price is $31.49, well above what Nature's Way asks for a feeder that does the same three things
• The maker does not say whether any part of it is dishwasher safe

Who it is for

Someone who wants the glass-bottle look and the extra perch room, and who is buying on the live price rather than the list price.

Skip this if

You want all three foods out at once without losing nectar ports to do it. The Nature's Way OFG2 has separate jelly dishes and built-in orange spikes, so its four ports stay four ports.

Pick 04

A first nectar feeder that does not need an app

More Birds Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Glass rather than plastic, because the part that decides whether a nectar feeder works is how easily it comes apart to be washed.

Score

7.0

Cleaning

8.5

Durability

6.5

Published specs

4.0

Gift appeal

7.5

Budget band

Under $25

$16.97 · View on Amazon

#ad Price as of September 21, 2026. How we are funded

Published specifications

Material

Glass reservoir with a metal or plastic base

Why glass

It does not cloud or retain smell the way plastic does after repeated washing, and it can take hot water

Cleaning cadence

Nectar spoils fast in warm weather; plan on rinsing and refilling every few days in summer

Capacity

Not published by the manufacturer in a form we could verify

Warranty

Not published by the manufacturer in a form we could verify

What it gets right

• Glass washes properly, which is the entire maintenance story for a nectar feeder
• No electronics, nothing to charge, nothing to subscribe to
• Cheap enough to buy two so one can always be in the sink

What it does not

• Glass breaks if it is knocked off a hook
• Small ports clog with sugar if it is not cleaned on schedule
• Nothing about the feeder itself attracts hummingbirds to a yard that has none

Who it is for

Someone in hummingbird country who has never tried it. Pair it with a note about the cleaning schedule and it is a genuinely good gift.

Skip this if

The recipient will not commit to washing it every few days in hot weather. A neglected nectar feeder is worse for birds than no feeder at all.

What else actually reduces the problem

• Move the feeder a few feet. Ant trails are established routes. Breaking the route often does more than any hardware, at least until they find it again.
• Shade helps twice. It slows fermentation and it makes the feeder marginally less attractive to wasps, which favor warm sugar sources.
• Keep the outside clean. Wash the body, not just the reservoir. Dried nectar on the outside of a feeder is what both ants and wasps are following.
• Do not overfill in hot weather. A feeder filled to the brim expands in the sun and pushes nectar out of the ports, which is the commonest cause of a feeder that suddenly attracts wasps.
• Accept some insects. No feeder on the market excludes every wasp. The goal is a feeder the birds can still use, not a sterile one.

Cleaning, because it is the same answer as always

Everything above is secondary to the cleaning schedule. Fermenting nectar is more attractive to insects than fresh nectar, and it is worse for the birds besides. The full argument, including why glass reservoirs and feeders that come apart matter more than any other feature, is on the hummingbird feeder roundup and the oriole feeder roundup. A feeder washed every few days in warm weather has a smaller insect problem than a neglected feeder with every guard fitted.