How To Get Rid Of Ants In Bird Cage? [Safe Methods] (2024)

Hello, bird lovers! Have you ever had ants in your bird cage? If so, you know how frustrating it can be. Ants can contaminate your bird’s food and water, and they can even bite your bird. You must be wondering- So, how do I get rid of ants in my bird cage?

Don’t worry! There are ways to get rid of ants in your bird cage without harming your bird.

The good news is- To get rid of ants in your bird cage without harming your birds, you can use a soapy water solution. Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray the ants directly. You can also create a barrier around the bird cage using cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or diatomaceous earth.

Wait, there’s more! Today, I’ll share with you what attracts ants to your pet bird’s cage, potential risks for your pet birds due to ant infestation, how to get rid of ants in bird cage, and more! So, keep reading!

Why Are There Ants In My Bird Cage?

There are some factors that make your pet birds appealing to ants-

Scent Trails

Ants follow scent trails to find food and water. If an ant finds its way into the bird cage and finds food, it will leave a scent trail for other ants to follow. For instance, a cup of sugar or any sweet spills can be a tempting treat for ants, and lure them into the bird cage.

Powdered Charcoal

Ants are drawn to the sweet smell of powdered charcoal. They may also be attracted to the moisture that is present in powdered charcoal.

Species Of Bird

Some species of birds are more likely to attract ants than others. For example, parakeets are known to attract ants because they tend to be messy eaters.

Cucumber Seeds

Cucumber seeds can attract ants because they contain a substance called cucurbitacin, which is attractive to ants.

Bird Cage Tray

The bird cage tray can be a good place for ants to nest because it provides them with a moist environment and a food source (bird droppings).

What Attracts Ants To A Bird Cage?

Before you get to know how to get rid of ants in my bird cage, you must learn what attracts ants to bird cages. Ants are attracted to food, and bird cages typically contain a number of food sources, such as birdseed, bird food pellets, and fruits and vegetables. Ants may also be attracted to spilled food or water in the bird cage.

Ants need water to survive, and bird cages often provide a source of water in the form of bird baths or drinking bottles. Bird cages can provide ants with a safe place to nest and raise their young. Ants may build their nests in the bird cage tray, under the perches, or in the crevices of the cage itself.

Certain species of ants, such as southern fire ants, are more likely to nest in bird cages than others. Southern fire ants are attracted to the warm, humid environment inside bird cages, and they may also be attracted to food and water sources.

Risks Ants Bring To Your Pet Birds

‘Ants in general will not hurt your pet birds with some exceptions like southern fire ants that will attack and kill nestlings.’

While ants may seem harmless, their presence in your pet bird’s environment can pose significant risks-

• Ants can contaminate your bird’s food and water with bacteria, which can lead to illness.
• Ants can also bite your bird, which can cause pain and stress.
• Some birds may exhibit feather-plucking behavior when faced with the annoyance of persistent ant presence.
• Ants can also spread diseases, such as salmonella, to your bird.
• In rare cases, ants can kill small birds. This is more likely to happen if the bird is already sick or injured.

That’s why it’s important to learn how to get rid of ants in bird cage. If you have a severe ant infestation, you may need to contact a professional pest control company.

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Bird Cage: A Safe Method

According to Medium–‘If you see ants in your bird’s cage the first thing you have to do is remove the bird and everything from the bottom of the cage, wash it, and sanitize.’

So, how do you get rid of ants without harming birds? Luckily, there are a number of safe ways to do so. Let me share with you some safe methods I tried which are also effective-

• Use a soapy water solution. Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the ants directly with the soapy water. The soap will coat the ants’ bodies and suffocate them.
• Create a barrier around the bird cage. Sprinkle cayenne pepper, powdered charcoal, or cinnamon around the outside of the bird cage. These substances will repel ants and prevent them from climbing up the cage legs.
• Use a homemade bait station. Place a cup of sugar in a shallow dish and add a few drops of water. The ants will be attracted to the sugar, but they will drown in the sugary solution of water. You can also utilize natural repellents like cucumber slices around the cage to discourage ants.
• Ants follow scent trails to find food, so place your perfect bait station near the ant trail to increase the chances of them finding it.
• Encourage your bird to eat the ants. Many birds enjoy eating ants. If you see ants in your bird’s cage, don’t worry! Your bird will likely take care of them for you.

Some additional tips to get rid of other pests-

• Roaches: Use a roach trap or bait station to get rid of roaches in bird cage. Place the trap or bait station in the bird cage, away from the food and water.
• Fruit Flies: To get rid of fruit flies in bird cage, set up a fruit fly trap near the cage. You can make your own fruit fly trap by placing a few drops of vinegar in a jar and covering the opening with plastic wrap. Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap so that the fruit flies can enter the jar.
• Moths: For moths in my bird cage, I used a moth trap or spray near the bird cage to get rid of moths in bird cage.
• Mice: Set up a mousetrap or bait station that is safe for birds. Place the trap or bait station in the bird cage, away from the food and water to get rid of mice in bird cage.

Preventing Ants From Coming To Your Bird Cage

It’s time to learn how to remove ants from bird cage for good! Keep your bird cage ant-free with these preventive measures using safe and natural methods-

• Apply a soaked cotton ball in bird mite spray on cage legs to repel ants.
• Periodically clean the bird cage tray and accessories with a mild disinfecting solution.
• Perform routine checks on your bird cage and cage legs for any signs of ants or scent trails.
• Maintain cleanliness in the room where the bird cage is placed to minimize the chance of ant infestation. Regularly clean the cage and surrounding areas with a spray bottle containing a soapy water solution.
• Ensure bird food is stored in sealed containers to eliminate the attraction of ants.

Important safety tips:

• Do not use boric acid solution in bird cages. Boric acid is a pesticide that is toxic to birds.
• Be careful when using cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper can irritate the eyes and skin. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask when handling cayenne pepper.
• Place the bait station in a location where your bird cannot reach it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

To sum up, ant infestations in bird cages can be a problem, but they are treatable. If you have ants in your bird cage, it is important to take action to get rid of them as soon as possible.

By following preventive measures and addressing infestations promptly, you can create a secure and comfortable environment for your beloved birds. I have tried to share how to get rid of ants in bird cage. What’s your opinion about it? Feel free to share in the comment below.