How Often You Should Be Cleaning A Feeder To Keep Hummingbirds Happy & Safe

Hummingbird feeders are a win-win. The high-energy little birds get their daily fix of sugar water, and you get the joy of watching them do it.  But as beneficial as hummingbird feeders can be, if you don't maintain them well, they can do more harm than good. The most important thing you need to do is change the nectar and wash your feeder at least once a week. It should be washed even more often during warmer seasons – maybe even daily cleanings during heat waves or if your feeder is in direct sunlight. 

Regularly cleaning hummingbird feeders is essential; otherwise, the nectar can spoil and begin to grow mold. This can hurt or even kill hummingbirds by causing their tongues to develop a fungal infection. When their tongues swell, the birds can't use them to feed and will starve to death. But as long as you avoid this hummingbird feeder mistake and provide your local birds with clean and healthy nectar, your feeder should be a huge hit in the garden. 

Cleaning your hummingbird feeder doesn't have to be a difficult project. Simply use soap and hot water, and then refill the feeder with fresh nectar. You can make your own nectar by combining 1 part sugar with 4 parts water, making sure that the sugar is completely dissolved. Don't add any dyes, as these are unnecessary and can be detrimental to the little birds' kidneys. Using a red feeder is enough to attract hummingbirds to your garden space.

Of course, if you don't want to deal with cleaning and refilling a hummingbird feeder, they're not the only way to get visits from hummingbirds. There are a variety of hacks that can help attract hummingbirds to the garden. One of the best ways, even without a feeder, is by simply filling your garden with flowers that easily attract hummingbirds. These flowers tend to have tubular bloom shapes and be red or orange in color. This can include perennials like salvias, cardinal flowers, and bee balm.