Hummingbirds are beautiful little creatures that are fun to watch.You need to know how to get them to come to your feeders.It's possible to create a perfect hummingbird hangout by planting some of their favorite flowers and providing perches and misters near their feeders.Birds will come back for more if the feeders are properly cleaned and filled with their favorite meal.
Step 1: An ant moat is needed to keep ants out of the feeders.
There are bowls filled with water near the center of the feeders.It will trap ants that are trying to get food.The hummingbirds love to eat ants and will appreciate an additional snack.If you live in a hot, dry area, the water in the ant moat may evaporate quickly so you may need to refill it every other day.You can apply petroleum jelly to the chain above the feeder if it doesn't have an ant moat.
Step 2: The plastic used in the saucer feeders is UV- resistant.
Saucer-shaped feeders give you a better view of the hummingbirds.On hot days, UV-resistant plastic will keep the nectar from evaporating quickly.Some saucer feeders have a hanging wire on one side so you can attach it to a window.Hummingbirds care about the food just as much as you do.The ornate glass feeders are harder to clean.
Step 3: Paint old feeders red or orange.
hummingbirds are more likely to stop when they see bright, vivid reds and oranges, and feeders with red or orange paint can look dull over time.Make sure the feeder is dry before you refill and rehang it.Hummingbirds will be attracted to bright magenta.
Step 4: Multiple feeders can be used to attract more hummingbirds.
The more opportunities you give the hummingbirds, the more likely they are to flock to the feeders.If you only have one feeder, add more to get more birds to stop by.Adding another hummingbird feeders will help topple the dominance of males in the area.If you have a male that is controlling other hummingbirds away from the feeders, place 2 or 3 more feeders within view of the existing feeders.The dominant male can be outnumbered by more hummingbirds.
Step 5: Provide hummingbird with their favorite food of cane sugar and water.
If you want the sugar to be dissolved, stir together sugar and water.Bring the sugar-water mixture to a boil and let it cool before putting it in the feeders.Don't use honey, artificial sweeteners, turbinado sugar or brown sugar.Don't use distilled water if you want spring water.It is best to avoid adding red food dye to the nectar because it could harm the hummingbirds.The sugar water can be refrigerated for up to 7 days.
Step 6: For 1 or 2 days, fill the feeders about halfway full.
If you're not sure how many hummingbirds your feeders will attract, you don't need to fill it to the top.If you notice that the nectar is gone in a day or two, fill about 1/3 of the way full.Most feeders hold between 8 and 12 fluid ounces, but you can find feeders that hold up to 32.
Step 7: Warm water and dish soap can be used to clean the feeders.
The bottle brush can be used to scrub the feeders.Hummingbirds can spread diseases by dipping their tongues into the water.A good rule of thumb is to clean the glass yourself.If you notice any leftover nectar, you should clean the feeders before refilling them because hummingbirds will eat up all the nectar within 4 to 5 days.If the weather is hot, you should check the feeders every day to see if you need to refill it.The sugar-water should be washed immediately if you notice it is cloudy or growing mold.
Step 8: The feeders should be hung at least 4 feet off the ground.
The feeders should be hung high off the ground so that the pests can't get to them.Make sure there are no places where cats can jump to reach the feeders.Make sure there is no foliage underneath the feeders because sugar-water can get into the leaves and attract pests.
Step 9: 15 ft away from cover is where the feeder should be.
Hummingbirds like to drink in places that are close to shade or hiding places.The hummingbird can feed and rest in the shade if it is away from a shrub, tree, or other hiding place.Your house's porch will also work.You will be able to watch your visitors close up.The shade will keep the sugar water fresh.
Step 10: You can attract early-migrators by putting your feeders up in the early spring.
If you want birds to migrate sooner than others, you should start advertising your rest stop early.Depending on where you live, early spring is a good time to put it up.The beginning of March is when you should put your feeders up.You can wait until the end of March if you live in the north.
Step 11: There are lots of flowers that have red blooms.
When hummingbirds see bright red blooms, they think they're in for a treat.The flowers that hummingbirds will love are daylily, columbine, cardinal flowers, penstemon, bee balm, hibiscus, peonies, and oriental poppy.Red is more vivid to hummingbirds than it is to us.It's important to look up your planting zone for flowers.
Step 12: Deadhead the flowers in your garden.
The more blooms you have, the more likely you are to get hummingbirds.Deadheading is the removal of flowers and seed heads from plants that are currently in bloom.This tricks the plant into thinking it's not done flowering yet.If you place your feeders near the flowers or viewing range, it will be more effective.
Step 13: There is a plastic ribbon around the feeder.
Purchase bright red or orange surveyor's tape from any hardware store and cut it into 12 in (30 cm) pieces so you can tie it around tree trunks, railings, or anywhere near the feeders.The bright color will make high-flying hummingbirds stop and look at your feeders and gardens.The cost of the tape is between $1.50 and $6.00.
Step 14: Provide a perch for the hummingbirds to rest.
Hummingbirds like to rest at the end of the exposed branch so they can see their competitors.Attach a dead branch to the ground to make a perch.Put it in the viewing range of the feeder.If you provide a good perch, hummingbird's wings will beat 80 times per second.
Step 15: Spiders can keep their webs near the feeders.
The more webs you have, the more likely you are to have visitors.The insects are a great source of nutrition.If you notice this type of spider, you should get rid of the web because orb-weaver spiders eat hummingbirds.
Step 16: You can get a mister for your garden or yard.
A mister works by attaching to a garden hose and spraying mist into the air.Hummingbirds like to fly through the mist before they rest.You will get to watch the birds play in the mist.Most garden and lawn-care stores have misters.