If your feeder is attracting ants, use a moat or AntGuard® to stop them. 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. Sadly, research has found that North American has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, so anything you can do to help our native. They eat insects and tiny spiders to supply protein and also feed on tree sap (see this great video). Squirrel Buster Small Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder. 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.

Best hummingbird feeder audubon