To put it simply major considerations to keep in mind when using a feeder to offer food to the hummingbird population during hot weather is to ensure that you are using the sugar to water ratio of 1 part sugar to 5 parts water regularly provide a fresh supply of nectar and assure that the feeder is placed close to a perch in a nice shady.
Hummingbird feeder water temperature.
To boil or not to boil.
If your hummingbirds empty the feeder with greater frequency clean it every time it s empty.
2 any tips for choosing a hummingbird feeder.
Scorchingly hot weather is upon us in the pacific northwest and it s understandable to want to feed hummingbirds but here s the thing.
When choosing a feeder i look for.
Low nighttime temperatures can freeze hummingbird sugar water however and night starved birds may have to wait for hours for the nectar to thaw enough for drinking.
Once it cools to room temperature it s ready.
Small sugar water bottle or tank area.
In cooler weather once per week is enough.
Follow these expert tips to attract more hummingbirds.
However if you plan on making extra hummingbird sugar water to store in the fridge or you have so so water quality then it s best to boil.
Simply attach hummer hearth to your hummingbird feeder then turn on before the temperature dips below freezing.
Furthermore frozen nectar can also crack or otherwise damage hummingbird feeders making them less useful for feeding hummingbirds all year round.
Cleaning with hot tap water works fine or use a weak vinegar solution.
Hummingbirds have no sense of smell and cannot tell if the sugar water in a feeder has gone bad deadly toxins can contaminate a sugar solution rather quickly in very warm weather as fast as 24 hours especially if the feeder receives some sunlight.
The hummer hearth with its simple yet effective design will keep a smaller hummingbird feeder thawed to about 15 degrees f with a single 7 watt light bulb included.
When should i put out my hummingbird feeder.
Sugar water spoils quickly the hotter the weather the faster it spoils so i like to use small feeders and change them frequently rather than feeders with large bottles that will not get used up.