Here where I live, we have Argentinian Ants. These are small black ants that come in hoards. They love anything sugary. When I placed the bucket feeder atop my one hive, I knew there would be a problem eventually...and there has been. Since thehive sits on cinder blocks ( to keep the skunks away ), ther are no legs to place in water/oil...
I bought some inexpensive cinnamon and sprinkled it on the hive cover around the bucket lip, and around the base of the blocks...
It has worked! Worked well I might add...
We've always had good luck with it, too. You just have to renew when it rains.
Ive had very good luck using organic ground cinnimon as well. It seemed to keep the ants at bay.
I accidently used Saigon Cinnimon. Never again...I will make sure I have the right one next time.
I think my first post on this board was due to my worrying over the fire ants that we have in Texas...cinnamon was suggested and it kept me fire ant free all summer.