To attract hummingbirds to your yard, providing them with nectar feeders is one of the best and easiest ways to do so.
However, there are times when it is not advisable to have feeders up for hummingbirds.
Knowing when to take feeders down, stop refilling them or refrain from putting them out is important for the health and safety of hummingbirds.
When positioning hummingbird feeders, it is best to hang them in shady areas away from direct sunlight.
Full sun exposure can cause nectar to heat up and spoil more rapidly.
Placing feeders in naturally shaded spots such as under tree canopies or covered porches will help the nectar stay fresher longer.
If adequate shade is unavailable, you can also drape a cloth over the feeder portion to create shade and slow spoilage.
Just be sure the cloth is secured well so it does not blow around.
Monitoring nectar levels and changing it out more frequently may be needed if feeders are in full sun.
But providing shade where possible will reduce spoilage issues and the feeder cleaning frequency required.
During Migration
Hummingbirds migrate long distances between their summer breeding grounds and winter homes.
During migration periods in spring and fall, it is best not to put feeders out or refresh nectar.
Migration stresses hummingbirds as they burn lots of energy flying hundreds or even thousands of miles. They need to feed on natural nectar sources along their route to properly refuel and rest.
Artificial feeders can interfere with their natural migratory behaviors, rhythms and routes. Feeders may encourage them to stop over where there are no natural food sources to sustain them.
This can put their migration and survival at risk.
In Extreme Heat or Cold
Hummingbirds are sensitive to temperature extremes due to their tiny size.
During periods of intense heat, do not leave nectar feeders out. Nectar can overheat and spoil, which can make hummingbirds sick.
High temperatures also lead to more rapid sugar crystallization, which can be dangerous for hummingbirds. In extreme cold, nectar can freeze in the feeders.
Feeders should be taken in overnight anytime temperatures drop near freezing.
It is better not to encourage hummingbirds to remain in areas where freezing weather could threaten their lives.
When Nectar Spoils
Nectar in feeders can spoil rapidly, especially in warm weather.
Spoiled nectar provides no nutrition for hummingbirds and can harbor dangerous molds and bacteria.
To prevent spoilage, nectar should be changed out and feeders cleaned every few days, even daily in hot climates.
If you will be traveling or unable to maintain this cleaning routine, take down feeders or let them go empty until you can resume proper maintenance.
Letting nectar sit and spoil in feeders could sicken or even kill visiting hummingbirds.
During Nesting Season
When female hummingbirds are nesting, they become highly territorial and protective.
Nectar feeders may be perceived as a competitive threat, prompting aggressive attacks on other hummingbirds approaching the feeder area.
To reduce this territorial behavior, take down feeders or let them empty to encourage hummingbirds to forage more widely and seek natural food sources during this sensitive time period.
In areas where light pollution is substantial, it is advisable to take feeders down at night.
Artificial lights around feeders can disorient migrating hummingbirds traveling at night, interfering with their natural routes and rhythms.
Removing or covering feeders during the evening hours in highly illuminated areas helps minimize disruption to nighttime migrations.
Periodically moving or rotating feeder placement around your yard can also help reduce territorial behaviors.
Hummingbirds may zealously guard a single feeder site, especially females protecting a nest.
Switching main feeder locations intermittently can reduce this possessiveness and aggression.
Make these feeder location changes gradually over a couple days and keep an eye out for increased competition at new sites.
If you notice fewer hummingbirds coming to your feeders or they appear stressed, lethargic or thin, take down the feeders for a period of time.
Provide a break to reduce competition and aggression related to the feeders.
The birds will disperse more widely to seek natural blooms during this feeder fast. After a couple weeks, sterilize and replace the feeders in the same or new locations as desired.
When Bees Take Over
Bees are also attracted to the sugar in nectar mixes.
When bees start overrunning hummingbird feeders and scaring away hummingbirds, it’s time to take down or move the feeders.
Bees can quickly dominate and swarm a feeder, making refilling and access difficult. Their presence frightens hummingbirds and interferes with their ability to safely feed.
To deter bees, place feeders in shady spots, use bee guards, and regularly clean the feeders. If bees persist, remove or relocate the feeders.
If Feeders Aren’t Being Used
Hummingbird feeders require regular cleaning and maintenance to provide healthy nectar.
If you notice your feeders aren’t attracting many visitors, take them down temporarily. Letting them sit unused for long periods causes nectar to spoil faster.
You can always put cleaned feeders back up later on or in a different location if needed. Only keep feeders up that are actively being used by hummingbirds.
When Traveling
If you will be away from home for multiple days, it’s best to take down hummingbird feeders.
Without daily cleaning and freshening, nectar can quickly spoil.
Allowing feeders to run dry or spill over in your absence is unhealthy and hazardous for hummingbirds.
Either take down feeders or have someone knowledgeable maintain them while you are traveling to ensure fresh nectar.
In early spring, refrain from putting out feeders too soon before most hummingbirds have returned to your area from migration.
Leaving feeders up through late winter and early spring may stimulate some species to begin migrating north prematurely.
Without adequate food sources along the way, these earlier migrating birds are vulnerable.
Wait until known sightings occur locally and safer temperatures prevail.
Discourage neighbors from putting out early feeders as well by posting a sign explaining this concern.
While feeders provide excellent supplemental nutrition, they should not replace natural food sources.
Incorporate native plants with tubular red blooms that attract hummingbirds into your landscape.
Ensure adequate natural nectar through flowers and trees to support the needs of hummingbirds long-term.
This provides more balanced nourishment and reduces dependence on artificial feeders alone. Developing hummingbird habitat with natural blooms is ideal.
If You See Signs of Disease
Hummingbirds at dirty or unmaintained feeders are at greater risk for diseases like avian pox or aspergillosis.
These diseases are extremely contagious at feeders and often fatal. If you spot any sick hummingbirds with symptoms like lethargy, swollen eyes, heavy breathing or tremors, take down feeders immediately.
Thoroughly clean and sanitize feeders and any nearby surfaces before putting them back up again. Keeping feeders meticulously clean is crucial.
It is also best to avoid using red food coloring in nectar mixes.
The red dyes can be harmful to hummingbirds if ingested. Plain white sugar water containing simply sugar and water in a 4:1 ratio is healthiest and recommended.
Artificial colors may attract more hummingbirds initially, but plain nectar is safest for their digestive systems.
Be sure to thoroughly clean feeders on a regular basis using a diluted bleach solution containing 1 part bleach and 9 parts water.
Soak feeders for several minutes before scrubbing clean and rinsing thoroughly with water.
This will kill any dangerous mold, bacteria or other pathogens that could sicken hummingbirds. Proper sanitization is crucial, especially during warmer weather when spoilage occurs rapidly.
Regular cleaning will help deter diseases and infections.
When Hung Improperly
The way hummingbird feeders are positioned matters for hummingbird health.
Do not mount feeders with perches or openings below the nectar level, as this can cause dangerous leaking and dripping.
Take down any feeders that develop leaks or that are installed improperly. Also remove feeders that become excessively dirty, damaged or unsafe. Only put back properly functioning, clean feeders to prevent issues.
Before Using Pesticides
When chemical pesticides need to be applied in your yard, take down hummingbird feeders first and refrain from putting them back up until the area is safe again.
Never spray pesticides on or near hummingbird feeders. The pesticides can contaminate the nectar and be fatal to hummingbirds that ingest it.
Keep feeders away from areas to be treated and wait until any pesticide residues have fully dissipated before returning the feeders.
Take precautions to ensure pets do not access areas around hummingbird feeders, especially cats. Free-roaming cats are a major predator of hummingbirds and can easily ambush them at feeders.
Keep cats securely confined indoors when feeders are up.
Supervise outdoor cats in enclosed “catio” spaces. Discourage human visitors from bringing pet cats near feeders as well. Protecting hummingbirds from predatory encounters is vital for their wellbeing.
Hummingbird feeders provide an excellent source of supplemental nutrition, but also introduce risks from improper maintenance, extreme weather, bee harassment and disease transmission.
Knowing when to take down or refrain from using feeders is just as important as putting them up.
Protect hummingbird health by temporarily removing feeders during unfavorable conditions or when problems arise.
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