Humming Bird Feeders
Humming Bird Feeder Solution
Sugar water is an important specific mixture. The experts tell us that four part water to one part white cane sugar is the best for a hummingbird. Anything stronger interferes with the birds’ metabolism. And nothing but sugar can be used in a feeder. You can store unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Cleaning Feeders
Keeping a hummingbird feeder clean is the first and foremost obligation that a person has when hanging up a feeder. If you are not prepared to follow the rigorous maintenance routine, perhaps you should reconsider hanging up a feeder.
Every filling, flush the feeder with hot tap water; a bottle brush can be very helpful. DO NOT USE SOAP - hummers apparently don’t like the taste, and bleach will remove it if you have this problem. Visually inspect the entire feeder for black mold; a bleach soak is the best way to remove mold. Discard any unconsumed sugar water - if the birds are not emptying your feeder between cleanings, throw it away or only partially fill your feeder every time. If the sugar solution in your feeder turns cloudy, it’s spoiled and needs to be replaced. Any hummingbird solution left in a feeder for more than a week, and less than a week in the hot summer, will ferment and produce a fungus that once the hummingbird drinks the solution will kill it. Rinse well with running water and refill.
At least once a month, clean the feeder thoroughly with a solution of ¼ cup bleach to one gallon of water. Soak the feeder in this solution for one hour, and then clean with a bottle brush. removing any black mold The little yellow bee stoppers must be removed and the stylized openings cleaned out as well as dirt does accumulate on the surface, and can lead to bacteria being transmitted to the bird..
Happy hummingbird watching.
Gail Loughridge