Hummingbirds like squeaky clean feeders

Replace nectar and clean feeders daily in hot weather.  Photo by J.J. Meyer

If you see mold on your feeders, you're waiting way too long between cleanings.  Dirty feeders cause serious health problems for all birds.  Hummingbirds can pick up fungal infections that lead to death.

So please replace nectar and clean your feeders about every five days in cool weather, more frequently when temps heat up.  When the thermometer reaches 90-100, it needs replacing every day.

Dispose of unused nectar and clean the feeder using white vinegar and hot water.  Dry and replace with fresh nectar. 

Make nectar using a 1:4 ratio, one part sugar to four parts water.  Boil about three minutes. Cool.  Store surplus nectar in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.  And skip the red dye, which is unnecessary and potentially harmful to the birds!

Happy Birding!
J.J.