Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard bird watchers everywhere. With their lightning fast wings that beat up to 80 times per second and their jewel-toned iridescent feathers, it’s no wonder that people love seeing them flit around their gardens.
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to consume a lot of energy in the form of nectar each day just to survive. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your hummingbird feeders clean and full of fresh nectar. Dirty feeders can harbor dangerous mold, bacteria, and fungus that can make the birds sick.
Cleaning your hummingbird feeders doesn’t have to be a difficult chore. By following these 5 easy steps, you’ll be able to thoroughly clean your feeders and help provide your hummingbird visitors with the nourishment they need.
Step 1: Remove the Feeder
The first step is simple – remove the feeder from where it’s hanging. Take it down from its hanger or rod so you can easily work with it.
Be sure to discard any old nectar still in the feeder as you take it down. Old nectar can spoil and grow mold, which is very unhealthy for hummingbirds.
Step 2: Disassemble the Feeder
Most hummingbird feeders are designed to come apart into several pieces. Taking the feeder apart will allow you to fully clean each section.
Typically, you’ll need to detach the feeder’s top nectar reservoir from its base. The base might have a feeding port, perches, flowering ornaments, or other removable parts.
Carefully take the feeder apart, setting each section aside. Having the pieces separated will let you thoroughly scrub each part.
Step 3: Wash With a Vinegar Solution
To sanitize and remove grime, you’ll want to wash each feeder section with a vinegar solution. The acidic vinegar helps kill any dangerous bacteria or fungus growing in the feeder.
Mix together 4 parts water and 1 part white vinegar in a spray bottle or container. For each feeder section, spray or soak it in the vinegar solution. Use a clean scrub brush or sponge to gently wash away any residue or buildup.
Focus on scrubbing around the feeding ports, perches, and any nooks where mold could be lurking. Let the feeder parts soak for several minutes to fully disinfect.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry Completely
Once washed, be sure to thoroughly rinse each feeder section with clean water. You want to remove all traces of the vinegar solution.
Air drying each piece is best, so they have time to completely dry in order to inhibit mold growth. Lay the feeder parts out on a towel in the sun. You can also let them dry on a drying rack overnight.
Be sure every section is completely dry before reassembling. Even small amounts of moisture left inside can promote mold.
Step 5: Refill and Rehang
Once fully dry, you can reassemble your hummingbird feeder. Refill the nectar reservoir with fresh nectar made from either white granulated sugar or raw cane sugar. Never use honey, artificial sweeteners, or fruit juices which are unhealthy for hummingbirds.
The nectar mixture should be 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water first and let it cool before mixing in the sugar until dissolved. This creates a feeding solution that will stay fresh longer.
Finally, rehang your feeder in its usual spot. Hummingbirds have excellent memories and will soon return to your clean feeder for nutritious nectar once it’s reloaded and hanging again.
Tips for Cleaning Hummingbird Feeders
Following proper cleaning procedures is key to maintaining healthy, mold-free hummingbird feeders. Here are some extra tips to help keep your feeders fresh:
- Clean feeders every 5-7 days during peak hummingbird season when hot weather causes nectar to spoil faster
- Use a bottle brush to scrub inside any narrow feeder tubes
- Rinse the feeder thoroughly after cleaning to remove all vinegar residue
- Let feeder dry fully in sunlight which helps kill mold spores
- Take feeders apart completely each time for thorough cleaning
- Replace old, cloudy, or cracked feeders which can’t be properly sanitized
Cleaning on a regular weekly schedule helps prevent buildup of residue inside the feeder. Proper scrubbing with a bottle brush lets you fully sanitize even small ports and tubes. Rinsing away all vinegar prevents harming the hummingbirds. And fully drying in the sunlight uses UV rays to kill mold.
Signs Your Feeder Needs Cleaning
It’s important to stay vigilant for any signs that your hummingbird feeder is due for a cleaning. Here’s what to look out for:
- Cloudy or moldy nectar
- Dead insects inside the nectar reservoir
- Black or green spots inside the feeder
- White mineral deposits around feeding ports
- Nectar leaking from cracks in the feeder
Cloudy or moldy nectar is a sure giveaway that your feeder needs immediate cleaning before reusing. Even tiny amounts of black or green mold can sicken hummingbirds.
The minute you see any mold, mildew buildup, mineral deposits, or cracks, it’s crucial to take down the feeder promptly for thorough cleaning. Don’t wait or the mold could spread.
Signs of a Sick Hummingbird
If a hummingbird seeming lethargic or ill visits your feeder, improper cleaning may be to blame. Look for these symptoms of a sick hummingbird:
- Sitting still and puffed up for long periods
- Head bobbing or rotating as it perches
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Lack of fear of humans when approached
- Crusty nostrils caked with mucus
- Difficulty or inability to fly
The most common cause of hummingbird sickness is fungus ingested from contaminated nectar in dirty feeders. Proper cleaning helps prevent this.
If your feeder seems to be making hummingbirds sick, switch immediately to a freshly cleaned new feeder. Soak the old one in a twice strength vinegar solution for an hour before thorough scrubbing and drying.
Report any sick hummingbirds to your local wildlife rehab organization so the bird can be captured and treated with antifungal medication. With quick care, sick birds can often fully recover.
Supplies for Cleaning a Hummingbird Feeder
Having the right supplies on hand makes hummingbird feeder cleaning quick and easy. Here are the essential items to have:
- Mild dish soap or white vinegar
- Clean hand towel or scrub sponge
- Small scrub brush or bottle brush
- Drying rack
- Fresh nectar ingredients
- Spray bottle for vinegar solution
- Water hose or faucet access
The basic supplies – dish soap, scrubber, brush – let you wash away any built-up residue or mold.
A drying rack elevates the feeder parts so air can circulate fully to prevent re-growth of mold.
Having fresh nectar ingredients and a spray bottle on hand lets you instantly refill and rehang your feeder after cleaning.
With these simple cleaning tools, you’ll be ready to thoroughly scrub your hummingbird feeder any time it needs it.
Conclusion
Caring for hummingbirds by properly cleaning feeders takes only a minimal time investment but makes a huge difference in the health of these special birds.
Following these 5 easy steps, hummingbird enthusiasts can safely and effectively clean feeders:
- Remove the feeder from its hanging spot
- Disassemble the feeder into separate parts
- Wash each section with vinegar solution
- Rinse and completely air dry the pieces
- Reassemble, refill, and rehang the feeder
Doing a thorough scrubbing and drying weekly helps prevent dangerous mold growth. Watching for signs of cloudy nectar or sick birds alerts you to clean feeders immediately.
With clean nectar and feeders, hummingbirds will have healthy, energy-rich fuel to power their buzzing wings and dazzling aerial displays. The simple joys of backyard birdwatching depend on healthy birds visiting safe, freshly cleaned feeders.
