HUMMINGBIRD FEED FULL

Timing will vary greatly depending upon your location. Most hummingbirds migrate to North America in the warmer seasons - so feeders should be put up in time for their arrival.

HUMMINGBIRD FEED FULL

Fill the feeder HALF FULL ONLY because hummers won’t be able to drink a full bottle before it needs changing. Let the mixture sit 5 minutes, then shake, rinse thoroughly in hot water, drain and refill! Use this cleaning solution each time you change the nectar and there should be no problem with mold. Use 2 tablespoons white vinegar to 1 cup of hot water to clean the feeder and base. NEVER USE DETERGENTS for cleaning your feeder. If a bottle-brush won’t do the job, add some sand with water and shake the feeder till the mold is removed. Black spots inside your feeder indicate mold and it’s important to remove it. FEEDER CLEANINGįeeders need to be cleaned and the nectar replaced every 3 days in hot weather. Locate your feeder in a semi-shaded or shaded place near some flowers. Place the remaining solution in a clean glass jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Don’t boil the solution and DO NOT ADD FOOD COLOR hummers will still find your feeder. Mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts hot water-until the sugar dissolves. Homemade Nectar is better and less expensive than store bought. If your feeder is attracting ants, use a moat or AntGuard® to stop them.Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird at a feeder. Some feeders can be put in the dishwasher for sterilization. of bleach per quart of water) rinse very thoroughly! Use a mild detergent and water rinse thoroughly.Ībout once a month, soak the feeder in a solution of bleach and water (1 Tbsp. Placing the feeder where you can see them through the window is a good idea too!įeeders must be cleaned between refillings - don't 'top off' without cleaning. If possible, the feeder should be in a shady spot. Never place a feeder too close to a nest, because doing so may cause predation. Put your feeders at least four feet above the ground so they are beyond the reach of cats and other predators If the liquid appears cloudy or you see mold, wash the feeder thoroughly right away. More feeders will support more hummers and help reduce territoriality.Ĭhange the mixture every four to five days - more frequently if temperatures are over 90° F. Use feeder(s) whose size matches your population.ĭon't fill the feeders all the way if they aren't being fully consumed between fillings. Look for a feeder that has the ports above the pool of liquid to avoid drips, because drips will attract ants and bees. A recent product that seems to be effective in providing fruit flies is the Humm-Bug Protein Feeder.Ĭhoose a feeder that you are able and willing to clean. We assumed that supplying fresh spiders for your hummer population might not exactly be your idea of a good time and only included our top tips for hummingbird feeders below. They eat insects and tiny spiders to supply protein and also feed on tree sap (see this great video).

Hummingbirds do not live on sugar water and nectar alone. * If cane sugar is not PURE WHITE, it may not have been sufficiently purified to remove trace amounts of molasses.Īs we know, molasses is rich in iron this is helpful to humans but is a toxin to hummingbirds in all but the tiniest, tightly monitored amounts.

Taking down the feeder: In the fall, wait until you haven't seen even one hummer for three weeks before taking your feeders down to reduce the risks to late migrants.

But a bee problem is, in fact, a feeder design problem, and you need a different feeder-one which makes it impossible for the bees to access the mixture usually this is by having an air gap between feeder port and the liquid below it. If too many bees are being attracted, change the mixture to five cups of water for every one cup of sugar. Spring water is preferred, but most tap water is acceptable. White granulated sugar is the closest we can come to the natural nectar in flowers.

White granulated cane sugar the #1 preferred for use in hummingbird feeders. No red food coloring! Unused mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. 1 cup of white cane sugar 4 cups of spring waterĭirections & Tips Dissolve the sugar in the water.

Hummingbird feed