Facts to Keep in Mind when Feeding Hummingbirds

Here are a few reminders about hummingbird feeding…..
• To make your own nectar, boil one cup of water for 1 – 2 minutes.  Add 1/4 cup of sugar, stir to dissolve.  Store unused sugar solution in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• Never use honey in a hummingbird feeder!  Honey can cause a fatal fungus infection on the tongue.
• Change the solution every four or five days and thoroughly rinse your feeder with hot water each time you do it.  Use soap only when necessary, and rinse well so no residue remains.  Red food coloring is not necessary, and actually discouraged by experts.
• When buying a feeder, make sure it is easy to take apart and clean!  Big isn’t always best in our area:  it may be advantageous to place multiple smaller feeders in an effort to separate these aggressive little birds from each other!
• If your hummingbird feeder drips, move it out of direct sunlight.  As the temperature of the air rises and falls, the air within the feeding bottle expands and contracts, causing the liquid to drip.  Consider one of the many newer feeders, like Aspects’ Hummzinger line of hummingbird feeders,  that are designed so that dripping is not a problem!