Top Questions Asked About Hummingbird Feeders

October 31, 2020
Kelsie Collins

Get The Answers from The Experts at 4 Hummingbirds Only

Hummingbird feeders are a great way to attract those popular little birds. Between their bright red color and nectar source, feeders are the perfect way to attract hummingbirds and keep them near. If you buy a hummingbird feeder, you can hang it up in a tree and forget about it. That being said, if you want to get the most hummingbirds from your feeders, then you’ll want to know how to keep your feeders in great condition. Here are the answers to the most common questions we get asked:

What should I put in my hummingbird feeder?

You can buy hummingbird nectar, or make your own sugar water at home. Here is a recipe from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute:

Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until the sugar is dissolved
Do not add red dye
Fill your hummingbird feeders with the sugar water and place outside
Extra sugar water can be stored in a refrigerator

They also recommend you switch out the nectar every other day, but this depends on how many hummingbirds are using your feeder daily. If you notice your feeder stays full and clean after a few days, you can clean it once a week.

How do I keep my hummingbird feeder clean?

A dirty hummingbird feeder can detract hummingbirds from using it. About once a week, check your hummingbird feeder to make sure it is bright and clean. If it’s time to clean the feeder, follow these steps:

Empty your feeder
Take it apart
Soak the pieces in warm water and soap
Rinse with cold water
Leave out to dry
Put back together and refill with nectar
Hang back up!

How often you have to clean the feeder depends on how much use it gets. If you buy a feeder that other animals and birds can’t access, you won’t have to clean it as much. That’s why we designed our hummingbird feeder to be bee and woodpecker proof (sorry, guys!). This reduces the amount of times you have to clean and refill the feeder.

How do I keep other animals and birds away from the feeder?

Hummingbirds aren’t the only animals that like sugar water! Part of the battle of setting up feeders is finding one that other local wildlife can’t get to. You also want to make sure your yard isn’t attracting unwanted pests.

To do this, make sure you keep food and trash inside overnight, throw away leaking feeders, and keep your feeders clean. If you do all of these things, and are still having trouble, take the feeders inside for a few days.

Where should I hang my hummingbird feeder?

Hang your hummingbird feeder in a tree, near a flower bed, and in the shade. The flowers will attract the hummingbirds to the area and the shade will keep the nectar fresh and cool. Remember to hang them within reach so you can easily grab them for a refill or a cleaning.

When should I take my feeder down for the year?

This is an easy one! When you notice the first frost, it’s time to take the feeders in. You could keep leaving them out, but eventually the sugar water will freeze.

Why are almost all hummingbird feeders red?

According to Audubon, hummingbirds are attracted to red things because they associate red with high quality nectar. Hummingbird eyes are also sensitive to warm tones, so they are more likely to notice warm tone colors like red.

Does having a hummingbird feeder hurt hummingbirds in any way?

No. Hummingbird feeders serve as a supplemental source of nectar and can be helpful when there aren’t flowers nearby. As long as you clean the feeder regularly and do not add harmful dyes to your sugar water, feeders are perfectly safe for hummingbirds.

Use a Hummingbird Feeder to Attract More Hummingbirds To Your Yard

Feeders are a great way to bring more hummingbirds to your yard. With proper use and maintenance, you can keep them coming. Find out more ways you can bring a beautiful swarm of hummingbirds to your yard by reading our blog, “How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden.”