Attracting Hummingbirds

Watching hummingbirds feed is one of the most enjoyable & fascinating sights to experience. Maintaining a clean nectar source is the most important aspect of hummingbird feeding. Our HummZingers are the easiest to clean hummingbird feeders available. The bright red cover attracts hummingbirds from a distance & removes easily so the bowl can be cleaned quickly & thoroughly. Crafted in the U.S.A. from durable polycarbonate, the HummZingers are backed by a Lifetime Guarantee. The integrated wrap-around perch encourages longer feedings & the built-in ant moat blocks crawling insects. The proper nectar mixture for hummingbirds is even engraved on the underside of the cover of every HummZinger. In addition to being rugged, the HummZingers are as attractive as they are functional.

Attracting Hummingbirds
You can attract hummingbirds by using HummZingers or any other feeder that dispenses a sugar water solution similar to flower nectar. HummZingers are the easiest to clean feeders on the market. Hummingbird feeders generally consist of a plastic or glass storage bottle or saucer with red "flowers" encircling the feeding openings. Select a feeder that is easy to clean and that will store enough nectar for three to four days. Nectar left in feeders for a longer time will go bad (bacterial, fungal & mold contamination) especially in hot weather. Mixing 1 part white cane sugar to 4 parts water makes hummingbird "nectar". Bring water to a boil and pour over sugar. Stir solution and let cool to room temperature before pouring into the feeder. Extra nectar may be stored in the refrigerator. Weaker sugar solutions will be less attractive to hummingbirds and stronger solutions will be harmful. Never make the solution from honey, because fermented honey can cause a fatal fungal disease in hummingbirds & never make the solution from artificial sweetners because hummingbirds require the calories from white cane sugar (haven't seen a fat hummingbird yet!). It is not necessary to add red dye to the solution since hummingbirds are attracted to the red coloring of HummZingers. Commercial "nectar" mixes are available but are no better than those you make yourself and basically are a waste of money.

Placement
Place feeders close to plantings of hummingbird flowers and (more importantly!) in a location where you can watch & enjoy the hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are very aggressive at feeders. If a number of birds are fighting over one feeder, set up additional feeders out of sight from the others. Hummingbirds are creatures of habit & it may take a few days for them to use the new feeders. Be patient...they will find & use them.

Timing
Feeders should be placed outside as soon as the first flowers come out in spring, because hummingbirds follow the blooming flowers north in their spring migration. A concern that feeders keep hummingbirds from migrating and hold them in northern areas has proved to be un-founded. The primary clue hummingbirds use to migrate is change in day length. Therefore, feeders can be kept up until birds quit using them. Generally, you can take them down when they have not been used for a week or more.

Maintenance
Replace the sugar solution every three to five days (sooner in hot weather) and thoroughly clean the feeder before adding a new supply. Wash the feeder thoroughly with hot water & dish soap. Make sure to rinse all parts thoroughly before refilling with sugar solution. Feeders may attract yellow jackets, wasps, hornets, ants or other unwanted species. The beneficial honeybee rarely uses the HummZingers (I have yet to see one our hived Italian honeybees attempt to feed from the HummZingers). Some feeders have "nectar guards" on the feeder ports. These allow hummingbird's long bill and tongue to reach the sugar solution but prevent bees or other flying insects from reaching it. Wasps & yellow jackets have been known to chase off hummingbirds from a feeder.