Tips on Hummingbird Feeders

Spring has finally sprung, and the birds are chirping, bees are buzzing, and the air is warm and sweet. Hummingbird feeders make such a delightful and colorful addition to the beautiful weather. If you have never used a hummingbird feeder, consider adding one to your yard or deck this year. Hummingbird feeders require their share of maintenance, but once the hummingbirds begin to pay regular visits to the feeder, it is all worth it.

To attract hummingbirds to your feeder, keep in mind that the feeder is filled with nectar for energy, not for food.

Hummingbird Nectar:

• Nectar is simply sugar water with a 1:3 ratio of sugar to water
• Only use table sugar - never artificial sweeteners, honey, or brown sugar, as these can all be fatal
• Use tap or spring water, never distilled water
• Nectar will last 2-4 days in summer, 4-6 days in cooler spring weather
• Change nectar whenever it gets cloudy or moldy
• Always clean hummingbird feeders before refilling

Insects: If bees are an issue, you can set out another hummingbird feeder with a 1:5 sugar water solution to drive the bees to the sweeter feeder and away from the hummingbirds. Use ant moats to prevent ants from accessing the sugar water. Ant moats can be used above or below feeders.

Environment: Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, so hummingbird feeders and flowers should all be vibrant in color for best results. Hummingbirds like open throated tubular pollinating flowers like fuchsia and sage, in colors of red, blue, orange, and yellow. Since hummingbirds are territorial, using more than one feeder, or feeders with multiple feeding ports, will attract many more hummingbirds. Hummingbirds like water to bathe and drink, so a bird bath is very inviting. Providing shade from sun and rain will also keep hummingbirds at your feeder longer, as well as help preserve the nectar in the summer.

Relax outdoors and enjoy the entertainment of hummingbirds. One of the many benefits of providing an attractive environment for hummingbirds is the appeal such improvements make on your general landscape. The smells of the fresh flowers, the reflection of the sun off the decorative bird baths, and the bright colors decorative flair of the hummingbird feeders all provide beauty and outdoor appeal.

Hummingbird Feeder with Pagoda Shelter

Glass Hummingbird Feeders for the Garden

Glass hummingbird feeders welcome one of the most peaceful creatures nature provides into your garden. Hummingbirds are great to invite to your yard with their dexterity and beauty. Glass hummingbird feeders are a beautiful accent to any yard or garden setting. The nectar that hummingbirds drink can be placed inside delightful little glass stakes that plant easily into the ground, adding design and brilliance to your garden. Larger hummingbird feeders are also a nice touch to hang from trees or decorative posts in your yard and near your entryways.

Hummingbird feeders come in many sizes and varieties including basic, small feeders that accommodate two or three hummingbirds to the larger ones that can accommodate six to eight hummingbirds. Glass hummingbird feeders come in many designs to please any one's taste and style. There are the beautiful Cloud Glass Hummingbird Feeders to the Bloom Hummingbird Feeders and the basic basin hummingbird feeders that are easily cleaned and maintained. Many glass hummingbird feeders also have shelters and are made from recycled glass, giving them more detail and style to perfect your garden design.

If you are looking for the perfect finishing piece to your garden, the glass hummingbird feeder is exactly what you need. Not only are you providing food for the small and graceful creatures, but also adding the ideal decor to your landscape. You can decorate your garden as well as help feed and welcome nature back into your yard with decorative glass hummingbird feeders.

Here are some of my favorite designs.

Dew Drop Hummingbird Feeder

Bloom Hummingbird Feeder with Shelter

Glass Hummingbird Feeder Stakes