7 Important Things to Know About Your Hummingbird Feeder

Important Things to Know About Important Things to Know About 7 Hummingbird Hummingbird Feeders Feeders

1. Hang multiple feeders. 1. Hang multiple feeders. Hang two or more feeders, spacing them at least 10 feet apart. This way, a dominant bird can still defend his turf, but you’ll be able to enjoy other visiting hummingbirds as well. Hang two or more feeders, spacing them at least 10 feet apart. This way, a dominant bird can still defend his turf, but you’ll be able to enjoy other visiting hummingbirds as well.

2. Provide a water source near feeders. 2. Provide a water source near feeders. Attract more hummers to your yard with a misting water feature. Install a very shallow fountain with a solar-powered bubbler, like the OKMEE Solar Fountain available on Amazon, set to the finest spray near your hummingbird feeders. Attract more hummers to your yard with a misting water feature. Install a very shallow fountain with a solar-powered bubbler, like the OKMEE Solar Fountain available on Amazon, set to the finest spray near your hummingbird feeders.

3. Ward off ants and bees. 3. Ward off ants and bees. Discourage ants and bees without harming them by hanging saucer-shaped hummingbird feeders. Saucer feeders are easy for hummingbirds to use but difficult for insects. Discourage ants and bees without harming them by hanging saucer-shaped hummingbird feeders. Saucer feeders are easy for hummingbirds to use but difficult for insects.

4. Clean all feeders often. 4. Clean all feeders often. Mold and bacteria grow quickly in sugary nectar, and both can sicken birds who sip the spoiled fluid. It’s crucial to give your hummingbird feeders a thorough scrubbing at least once per week to help keep your feathered friends healthy. Mold and bacteria grow quickly in sugary nectar, and both can sicken birds who sip the spoiled fluid. It’s crucial to give your hummingbird feeders a thorough scrubbing at least once per week to help keep your feathered friends healthy.

5. Change hummingbird food frequently. 5. Change hummingbird food frequently. Because hummingbirds can become ill from drinking spoiled nectar, it’s very important to provide them fresh food regularly. At a minimum, replace the nectar twice per week during cool weather and every other day when temperatures are 80 degrees or above. Because hummingbirds can become ill from drinking spoiled nectar, it’s very important to provide them fresh food regularly. At a minimum, replace the nectar twice per week during cool weather and every other day when temperatures are 80 degrees or above.

6. Skip red food coloring. 6. Skip red food coloring. It’s not true that hummers require red coloring in their nectar to find it. In fact, some wildlife experts feel red food coloring is possibly harmful to hummingbirds’ health. Fill feeders with clear commercial hummingbird food, or mix your own with a solution of one-part white table sugar to four-parts water. It’s not true that hummers require red coloring in their nectar to find it. In fact, some wildlife experts feel red food coloring is possibly harmful to hummingbirds’ health. Fill feeders with clear commercial hummingbird food, or mix your own with a solution of one-part white table sugar to four-parts water.

7. Keep feeders up from spring through fall. 7. Keep feeders up from spring through fall. In most of the country, hummingbirds only visit during warmer months before making their way back down to South America for the winter. As a general rule, hang your feeders in mid-March if you live in the south and in early-to-mid April if you live in the north. In most of the country, hummingbirds only visit during warmer months before making their way back down to South America for the winter. As a general rule, hang your feeders in mid-March if you live in the south and in early-to-mid April if you live in the north.

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