Hummingbird feeders have been around for many decades bringing these small birds to the homes, gardens, and yards of people around the world. Taking a trip to any hardware store or yard specialist store will allow you to walk down at least one aisle that is filled with a range of different options, including the different feeder versus saucer.
Many different stories abound regarding the use of hummingbird feeders with many experts seeing the use of these feeders and nectar holders dating back to the early 1900s and the work of an ornithologist, Althea R. Sherman.
The problem most of us face is making sure the nectar is being delivered correctly and the feeder is as clean as it needs to be to keep the hummingbirds fed and healthy. There are many options for cleaning your equipment whether you choose nectar or a sugar solution that can lead to the buildup of black mold.
How do I Get Rid of Black Mold on My Hummingbird Feeder?
There are a few different issues that can cause black mold to grow in your hummingbird feeder and can make things difficult for you when you look for a better way of feeding nearby hummingbirds. One of the most common problems facing you as you feed hummingbirds is the sugary nature of nectar and sugar waters commonly used for feeding attracting mold that can be unsightly and harmful to the health of the birds.
Getting Rid of Black Mold
The best option when you identify black mold is to look at how to clean hummingbird feeders and stop using it quickly to safeguard the health of all the hummingbirds in your area. A quick fix can be found in the use of bleach when the buildup of mold becomes particularly difficult to move with traditional soap and water. We do recommend cleaning your feeders every two to three days to stop mold growth and avoid the risk of cloudy contents.
When the black mold is particularly bad, we recommend using a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach to one gallon of water in a bucket and allowing the feeder to soak. Splitting up the feeder parts makes it easier for you to wash the inside and remove all the mold that is building up. This is important because you will often find rinsing away bleach is tough to do and having individual parts available can ease this problem. If you are looking for a more environmentally conscious you can also look to use a solution made up of white vinegar and water.
How often should you clean hummingbird feeders?
Clean you Feeder Every Two to Three Days
Placing your feeder in the open air in the Spring can make a big difference to how well you care for your local birds. When warmer weather arrives, you must place your feeder in the garden or hang it from a balcony or window to make sure you give your local hummingbirds the chance to enjoy the nectar or sugar solution you are using.
The problem you will face with your feeder is the sugary contents are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold when placed in a hot and humid environment. As the summer months appear and extend, you will find you are looking at cloudy waters that could be unhealthy for your hummingbirds to feed on.
In general, you should be looking to clean your feeder and replace the contents every two to three days with a complete rinse of the inside of the feeder completed every 48 to 72 hours. This means more than just tipping away from the contents of the bottle and should include a complete breakdown of the apparatus to make sure you are removing all the traces of the old nectar or sugar food solution from all the nooks and crannies as quickly as possible.
Why Should You Use a Nectar Feeder
What attracts hummingbirds to feeders?
No matter what reasons you have for choosing to feed the hummingbirds in your area, there is little doubt seeing the arrival of these small birds around your property can have a positive impact on your wellbeing. Most of us have noticed insects and birds are attracted to bright colors and the classic appearance of a nectar feeder is one that replicates the look of a plant with bright red plastic flowers at the foot of the feeder.
It is thought this design attracts the birds to the plastic feeder because it looks like a flower. These small plastic flowers also give you a place to focus your attention when you are looking for a hummingbird to arrive in your garden and you want to enjoy the feeding of hummingbirds.
How to Clean your Hummingbird Feeder?
When you are looking to clean your feeder you should start by making sure you have the time and the effort to care for your hummingbird feeder properly. Every two to three days is the perfect timing for cleaning your feeder with most of us looking for the best ways of cleaning a feeder simply and effectively. Most of us start by taking down the feeder from its usual position and emptying it into a sink to make sure it is empty.
After emptying the feeder, you should be aware of the fact many parts can all carry old nectar or sugar solution. Taking each piece of your feeder apart and soaking it for an hour in a solution of dish soap and warm water should remove the majority of built-up nectar and dirt. A scrubbing brush can then be used to remove any hard to reach pieces of sugar syrup solution that is difficult to remove using the soaking method. After this, the feeder should be thoroughly rinsed and rinsed and dried before being refilled and placed in a prominent position for feeding and viewing.
Many people are looking for more natural ways of cleaning their feeders and are moving away from dish soap towards the use of vinegar for its sterilizing properties. A solution of two parts water to one part vinegar can be used for soaking the feeder before it is thoroughly rinsed to make sure the sour taste does not remain when it refilled. Another option to consider is breaking down the different parts of your feeder and placing them in your dishwasher. If the dishwasher method is used, it is always a good idea to rinse the feeder once more after it has run through the cycle to keep it clean for the birds to use.