5 Common Hummingbird Feeder Mistakes To Avoid
Adding hummingbird feeders to your garden is an easy way to attract more of these vibrant creatures around your home. These small birds have a big appetite, so by offering them a treat through this feeding station, you will quickly win them over. They will keep coming back to get more of the sweet nectar. This offers you a way to enjoy them at a much closer level than you normally would. You will be able to enjoy their dazzling colors and vibrating wings a lot more often. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when it comes to their feeders. These sometimes seemingly small errors can sometimes cause harm to the birds or push them away. That’s why today we will tell you what hummingbird feeder mistakes to avoid, so you can keep effectively attracting them while keeping them happy and healthy.
These small birds have a big appetite
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Hummingbird Feeder Mistakes
As easy as it is to add a feeder, it’s also easy to make a mistake. While it may be unconsciously made and without malice, it can have a negative effect on these little birds. So, in order to keep them healthy and coming back to your garden, here is what you should look out for.
As easy as it is to add a feeder, it’s also easy to make a mistake
#Putting red dye
While you may think you need to add red dye to your feeder to attract hummingbirds that is simply not the truth. Red food dye is unnecessary when it comes to attracting these little creatures. Not only that but some dyes may have a detrimental impact on the hummingbird population in the long run, shares Zach Hutchinson (owner of FlockingAround.com). Hummingbirds really are attracted to the color red, but red dyes contain chemicals that can harm the bird’s health. So, skip out on it.
Red food dye is unnecessary when it comes to attracting these little creatures
#Using the wrong sugar
If you are making your own nectar, it is very important you use the right type of sugar. White sugar is the only type of sugar you should be using in your nectar. Brown sugars, honey, coconut sugar and all other types of sweetness shouldn’t be added. Some sugars have a high iron content which is harmful to hummingbirds. Whereas sweeteners like honey can quickly grow harmful bacteria and is way too high in natural sugars for these small birds. That is why you should be using white sugar and no other type of sweetener.
White sugar is the only type of sugar you should be using in your nectar
#Keeping the feeder in the cold
Spring time is the perfect time to start hanging your feeders outside. However, if you live in a colder climate those spring nights can be really cold. Leaving the feeders outside puts them at risk of freezing. This means that the nectar may freeze, making it impossible for the hummingbirds to feed. Not only that but cold nectar can also be more harmful than beneficial, as they will need to burn more calories to heat it up after eating it. That is why it is recommended to bring your feeders inside until the temperatures become stable and warm enough.
Spring time is the perfect time to start hanging your feeders outside
#Not cleaning the feeder
No matter if you have a store-bought feeder or a DIY hummingbird feeder, they all need regular cleaning. You need to change out the nectar at least once a week, or even better twice a week. But it is also essential to give the feeder a good scrub before putting in the new nectar. Use some soap and water or vinegar and water and scrub it well. Then rinse thoroughly and put it back up. If you want to ensure the hummingbirds don’t miss a meal while you are cleaning the feeder, you can get another one and swap them out when one of them is due feeding.
You need to change out the nectar at least once a week
@The Spruce
#Forgetting an ant moat
Like hummingbirds, ants are also attracted to this sweet sugary nectar. That is why you need to put an ant moat. Attach a moat to the feeders hanger and fill it up with water. This will stop the ants from crawling down into the nectar and spoiling the sugar water. While some feeders already come with an ant moat, you can also get one on its own and attach it to your feeder.
Attach a moat to the feeders hanger and fill it up with water
These were some hummingbird feeder mistakes you need to avoid if you want to attract more of these vibrant visitors to your garden. We hope you found this article useful. You can soon expect to see a lot more hummingbirds in your garden.
These were some hummingbird feeder mistakes you need to avoid
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