I just adore hummers. They are so pretty, so fast and can be so verbal....yes, verbal. I have them come by for a visit and a drink and they squeak this cute little sound. Talk about entertaining! They tell me about their day and travels...I just find them so precious.
I've had some inquiries about hummers and how to attract them. So, if you would like to attract hummers to your garden landscape, here's a few things to know and try. First, and foremost, always use sugar. Never, ever use a sugar substitute like splenda or sweet n low. Hummers need sugar.
The first year that I moved into my house, I bought a hummingbird feeder. I cleaned it out, made the liquid and hung it out. I didn't have one visitor - or at least I didn't think I did. So do not be discouraged if you do not have any visitors the first year. Have patience. You will notice the water level going down, however, I live on the east coast and it can get pretty hot and very humid here so the water will evaporate.
The second year, I had visitors. I tend to put the feeder out in May and will take it down in September. In the real hot weather, I will change the feeder food often-every other day. Sugar water can go stagnant, so be sure to change frequently.
To feed the hummers, you can buy the dry mix and just follow the directions on the box or if you prefer to make it yourself, it's just as easy. The key is one part sugar to four parts water. If you use one full cup of sugar, then be sure to mix with four cups of water. If you use less, like 1/2 cup of sugar, then mix with two cups of water. I do use heated water so I know the sugar will dissolve and I also make a lot at a time. Once the sugar water has cooled to room temperature, I will fill the feeder halfway and then refriderate the rest of the sugar water in a plastic container or pitchure for future use. I will change the feeder water at night, you do not have to do it night, but I prefer to make sure all my visitors have come and gone for the day. Then I will rinse the feeder out real good (including the part where they feed from-the spouts) and then refill it halfway and put it out. By morning, the feeder is a perfect temperature and it's fresh. Should you clean it during the day, no big deal. If they come by and it's not out, they will come back later to see if it's back out so they can feed.
Mildew will tend to grow within a feeder...so expect that. It's easy enough to clean. When this occurs in mine, I will bring it in, rinse it real good from the sugar water and then let it dry. Once the feeder is all dry, I will fill the feeder with about a 1/4 cup of dry (uncooked) rice, put my hand over the spout and shake the feeder up and down and side to side. Doesn't matter if it's white or brown rice. I find the rice to be non-abrasive but coarse enough to get the mildew off the inside and it's clean and pretty again plus healthy for the hummers to feed from. I will empty the rice out, rinse the feeder well and fill with sugar water. Be sure to clean the part where they actually feed from-the spouts that they put their beaks in. You can also put rice in there and shake well - empty the rice out, rinse to make sure no rice remains in there and then you can hang the feeder back out for the birds. If you notice mildew on the outside, I will clean it with a toothbrush. (If you do not have rice, you can try sand or coarse sea salt. Just be sure to really rinse out all the sand and salt grains/particles real good with water before you refill the feeder with sugar liquid).
If you are moving and want to break the hummers of the habit of coming to visit, do not put a feeder up. They do get used to and they will remember where a food source is for them. But if you do not know if the next owner or tenant will feed them, then do not use a feeder. The birds will come by, not see a food source, and eventually, they will stop coming by.
I hope you find this info useful and that I have answered questions adequately. Blessed be to all!
I've had some inquiries about hummers and how to attract them. So, if you would like to attract hummers to your garden landscape, here's a few things to know and try. First, and foremost, always use sugar. Never, ever use a sugar substitute like splenda or sweet n low. Hummers need sugar.
The first year that I moved into my house, I bought a hummingbird feeder. I cleaned it out, made the liquid and hung it out. I didn't have one visitor - or at least I didn't think I did. So do not be discouraged if you do not have any visitors the first year. Have patience. You will notice the water level going down, however, I live on the east coast and it can get pretty hot and very humid here so the water will evaporate.
The second year, I had visitors. I tend to put the feeder out in May and will take it down in September. In the real hot weather, I will change the feeder food often-every other day. Sugar water can go stagnant, so be sure to change frequently.
To feed the hummers, you can buy the dry mix and just follow the directions on the box or if you prefer to make it yourself, it's just as easy. The key is one part sugar to four parts water. If you use one full cup of sugar, then be sure to mix with four cups of water. If you use less, like 1/2 cup of sugar, then mix with two cups of water. I do use heated water so I know the sugar will dissolve and I also make a lot at a time. Once the sugar water has cooled to room temperature, I will fill the feeder halfway and then refriderate the rest of the sugar water in a plastic container or pitchure for future use. I will change the feeder water at night, you do not have to do it night, but I prefer to make sure all my visitors have come and gone for the day. Then I will rinse the feeder out real good (including the part where they feed from-the spouts) and then refill it halfway and put it out. By morning, the feeder is a perfect temperature and it's fresh. Should you clean it during the day, no big deal. If they come by and it's not out, they will come back later to see if it's back out so they can feed.
Mildew will tend to grow within a feeder...so expect that. It's easy enough to clean. When this occurs in mine, I will bring it in, rinse it real good from the sugar water and then let it dry. Once the feeder is all dry, I will fill the feeder with about a 1/4 cup of dry (uncooked) rice, put my hand over the spout and shake the feeder up and down and side to side. Doesn't matter if it's white or brown rice. I find the rice to be non-abrasive but coarse enough to get the mildew off the inside and it's clean and pretty again plus healthy for the hummers to feed from. I will empty the rice out, rinse the feeder well and fill with sugar water. Be sure to clean the part where they actually feed from-the spouts that they put their beaks in. You can also put rice in there and shake well - empty the rice out, rinse to make sure no rice remains in there and then you can hang the feeder back out for the birds. If you notice mildew on the outside, I will clean it with a toothbrush. (If you do not have rice, you can try sand or coarse sea salt. Just be sure to really rinse out all the sand and salt grains/particles real good with water before you refill the feeder with sugar liquid).
If you are moving and want to break the hummers of the habit of coming to visit, do not put a feeder up. They do get used to and they will remember where a food source is for them. But if you do not know if the next owner or tenant will feed them, then do not use a feeder. The birds will come by, not see a food source, and eventually, they will stop coming by.
I hope you find this info useful and that I have answered questions adequately. Blessed be to all!
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