What do I need to know about hummingbird feeders?

Don't know much about the feeders, but the ones I see in various videos show the ones with the red flowers on the bottom. Do know you are not to dye your food though with red food color. Clear works just as well.

I feed a LOT of hummingbirds (and orioles, and even woodpeckers!).

I use this Hummingbird Feeder. I've used other feeders but this one has 10 "seats". It has a wide opening for no spill filling. And it's easy to clean. I'm in a mild climate and feed year round, so this feeder gets used. I buy a new one about once per year. I know hb's don't have to sit to drink, but I have more coming to this feeder than the fancy handmade glass one that DH bought me as a gift. They only use that one when the big one is empty.

For food I mix 2 cups water with 1/2 cup sugar and cook to a full rolling boil for one minute (no red dye). Let cool completely. I have to fill my feeds every two to three days. When I re-fill I wash everything in hot water, no bleach or chemicals.

I love watching them. They chase each other away from the feeder all day, but as soon as evening comes they all seem to make friends and will eat together.

ETA:  I also use the ant guards.  And yes, they do work!

Mom used 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water (4-1 ratio) and didn’t boil it. Leaving it out overnight was enough to ensure the sugar dissolved enough. Also, when I clean my feeder, I take it all apart and soak it in hot soapy water and add vinegar to my scrubber when I scrub it. The vinegar ensures there won’t be any mold or organisms that will harm the birds. Then rinse, rinse, rinse to make sure there is no vinegar left. I keep the little brush that fits into the feeder holes separate from my other brushes that I use to clean straws.


Oops.  I see you have already been given this info.  I could have just agreed with her!!

I have had a problem with wasps on my feeder.  Just read that among other things to dissuade the wasps is to not use feeders with any yellow on it.  Apparently wasps are attracted to the color yellow.  But my feeder has no yellow and I still have wasps.

Oh, and this is the feeder we use:

Hummingbird Feeder

Change the water often. We live in Texas and change it every 3 days so that it is not spoiled.

We also only have about 4 birds coming, so use a small feeder and an ant guard.

I like our Hummzinger feeder because it gives you a good view of the birds with no obstruction. smile.amazon.com/Aspects-153-Hummzinger-Hummingbird-8-Ounce/dp/B0019Y0YCA/ref=sr_1_6?crid=19VBA9MB9U5FC&keywords=hummzinger+hummingbird+feeder&qid=1558902548&s=lawn-garden&sprefix=Hummz%2Clawngarden%2C350&sr=1-6

I think (enablers!!!!) I may add a dish type feeder now that someone mentioned the unobstructed view feature.

Often they are on the opposite side of me hiding my view. Little buggers!

And I need to learn the varieties better as there seems to be more this year and I just call them all "hummingbird". Except the one with a mussed and sticking up doo on their head. I call them "Alfalfa Hummingbird". 

Look for some feeder inserts. If you are getting wasps/bees it means the feeding holes are large enough for those to enter the feeder. Narrow down the opening, the birds can still get their beak and tongue in. When the wasps learn they can no longer access the food they will move on.   smile.amazon.com/s?k=hummimngbird+feeder+insert&ref=nb_sb_noss_2  
eta: there are also youtube videos of people making their own homestyle inserts to keep out the wasps and bees. 

You will have ants

We also use the humzinger style feeder. We like the small size and ease in cleaning.

We got at ours at Wildbird Unlimited store....as well as the ant guard.