What Should You Use to Clean Hummingbird Feeders?

Hummingbirds

• Hummingbirds are among the tiniest bird species in the world. Indeed, one of its members, the bee hummingbird is the smallest, weighing less than two grams. More generally, they measure between 3 to 5 inches, and weigh less than an ounce. They are members of the Trochilidae family and live in North and South America. Known for their remarkable aerial abilities, hummingbirds can rotate their wings in a circle to fly forward, backward and even upside-down. They can hover in midair and appear still, but for their rapidly beating wings, which average at 50 beats per second.

Feeding

• Hummingbirds feed on insects, spiders, pollen and the nectar of trees, flowers and feeders. With a heart rate that can exceed 1,000 beats per minute, the hummingbird has an exceedingly high metabolism. As such, they feed constantly throughout the day and are likely to make frequent trips to your feeder once it's been discovered.

Hummingbird Feeder Food

• A simple solution of sugar and water is all that is needed to fill your feeder. Use four cups of ordinary hot tap water to one cup of cane sugar. If you choose to dissolve the sugar in boiling water, be sure to allow the solution to fully cool before pouring it into your feeder.

Feeder Types

• How you clean your feeder will depend in part upon its kind. Feeders are made of glass, ceramic or plastic and come in many different styles. Some are quite decorative, others merely functional. As long as the birds are coming to the feeder, it's doing its job. You may want to choose a simple basin-style feeder for its ease of care.

Cleaning

• The best way to assure proper cleaning of your feeder is through its frequency. If you make a habit out of thoroughly rinsing the feeder with warm water each time you refill it, the feeder is less likely to develop sugary deposits or the bacteria and mold they might attract. Empty, clean and refill at least once a week. It's better NOT to use detergents of any kind. However, if your feeder is easy disassembled, tossing it in the dishwasher at night is an easy way to clean it. Just rinse it off once it's cleaned. Then fill it and be sure to get it back to the hummers' home before they wake up an hour before sunrise. Once a month, it's also a good idea to soak your feeder in a bleach-and-water mixture to kill any hidden growth. Again, rinse thoroughly before refilling.