Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbirds don't depend upon scent to locate nectar, but are attracted most often to brightly colored flowers, especially red. This is why hummingbird feeders are primarily red. There is a huge selection of hummingbird feeders on the market today, and new ones are always being designed. When buying a hummingbird feeder, as with anything else, you often get what you pay for.
Look for hummingbird feeders that do not block the vision of your hummingbirds. Don't buy feeders that make a hummingbird stick its head down inside a deep flower. Give your hummingbirds the best chance for survival.
Get those hummingbird feeders up early to catch the earliest migrating hummingbirds. If you don't have blooming flowers near the feeders, add some color yourself. Tie some red bows and ribbons near the feeders as well.
Placement of Hummingbird Feeders
Space two or more hummingbird feeders around your property. Place hummingbird feeders out of view of each other - maybe one in the back yard and one in the front. It makes it more difficult for any one hummingbird to patrol all the feeders.
If you have a larger number of hummingbirds visiting your feeders, you can probably group your hummingbird feeders together into one active feeding station. A large number of hummingbirds will just have to get used to sharing feeders!
Experiment in your own yard to get your own results. If the hummingbirds aren't feeding in one location, move the feeder elsewhere.
**Hummingbird feeders placed in the shade are not as attractive to bees as feeders placed in the full sun.
No Hummingbirds?
Adding red bows and ribbons to the base of your feeder, or somewhere close, will catch their attention.
Throw a red tablecloth over your outdoor table. Or if you don't have a table, toss it over something else. It doesn't have to stay there forever!
Add red accents around the garden: garden flags, hang feeders from colorful hooks, wind spinners, stained glass wind chimes, red hanging pots, paint a big rock or planter BRIGHT RED and add a "Welcome Hummingbirds" message to it!
**Not to worry. Leaving feeders out during the Winter will NOT prevent hummingbirds from migrating. Conversely, removing feeders will NOT convince birds to migrate! Hummingbirds migrate when their hormones tell them to, and generally after they've fattened up for the trip. If they're not ready to leave, they will just search for food elsewhere removing your feeder doesn't do them any favors. Furthermore, if you have a feeder out in Kentucky, rest assured that a western hummingbirds do not fly to your home all the way from Idaho just because your feeder is still out. Feeders simply bring into view some birds that are already in the neighborhood.
Cleaning Hummingbird Feeders
Keep your hummingbird feeders clean with a diluted solution of bleach or vinegar (vinegar is best). Be sure to rinse thoroughly!
To avoid spotting problems, change the formula in your feeders often. Nectar feeders need to be cleaned at least every other day during the hot summer months. Otherwise, the sugar will ferment and could cause deadly salmonella poisoning to hummingbirds.
If you have had a problem with stubborn spots in hard to reach areas, we have some simple hints. Place some uncooked rice (about one tablespoon has worked for me) and a very small amount of warm water (just enough to make the rice slippery) into the reservoir. Shake the dirt and spots away!
