1. Keep your nectar simple: just white (not powdered!) granulated sugar and water in a solution of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.  Bring your nectar solution to the boiling point, let it cool, and then you are all set.  Avoid red dyes — the artificial ingredients could sicken birds.  And avoid sugar alternatives such as honey (ferments quickly) or brown sugar or molasses (their higher iron content can be toxic to hummingbirds).
   
   
2. Place hummingbird feeders in spots tucked away from the sun — but where you can still observe and enjoy them.  Having your feeders in partial shade during the hottest part of the day will keep nectar fresh longer.
   
   
3. Consider more than one feeder in your yard/patio or invite your neighbors to put out feeders.  Hummers are very territorial and often defend a feeder, thus chasing away the competition.  Multiple feeders at least 10 feet apart provide more access to multiple hummingbirds.
   
   
4. Clean your feeder frequently with a safe solution: Nectar ferments, leading to mold and bacterial growth. Fresh nectar and clean feeders are a must. In the cooler months, clean your feeders weekly or more frequently.  In hot weather, clean your feeders every 3 days.  Take your feeder apart and discard any remaining nectar before cleaning.  It’s best to avoid dish soap and its residue; if your only choice is dish soap, then rinse your feeder very thoroughly!  It is better practice to clean with a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water).  Get to all the nooks and crannies with a tiny cleaning brush (available online or at Wild Birds Unlimited). It’s a good idea to wear gloves while cleaning your feeders, to avoid picking up/spreading bird disease. Rinse extra thoroughly and let your feeders air dry.
   
   
5. Take steps to discourage ants and bees/wasps:
   You’ve probably noticed that some insects want to crash the party!
   
   Ants like the nectar and can spoil it for the hummers.  Consider getting a saucer-type feeder with a built-in “ant moat” in the center, or purchase some “ant moat cups” to hang above your feeder. 
   
   Bees and wasps are a bit harder to control.  Avoid purchasing a feeder with ports made to look like yellow flowers, because bees and wasps are more attracted to yellow than to red.  The design of saucer/dish feeders require hummingbirds to dip down to get nectar and thus don’t offer easy access to bees and wasps.  Some feeders, such as Perky-Pet models, come with “bee guards.”   Of course, having nearby flowers that attract pollinators offer bees other food choices.

A final note: know that when you feed hummers, you are not depriving them of their natural sources of nourishment. The birds move around all day seeking a variety of — and a healthy balance of  — plant nectar, small insects, and sap.

Thanks to Bird Watchers’ General Store on Cape Cod for the drawing! 

Originally published in June 2024 and updated in April 2026.
An excerpt from the original article appeared in the June 2024 Panorama News.