Great article! The only thing I would add is that one does not need to heat the water when making homemade hummingbird food. The practice originated from the misconception that heating the water will kill any bacteria in it, and it will be safer for the birds. However, once the first bird dips its beak into the nectar in the feeder, the whole batch is contaminated all over again. The best way to keep a hummingbird feeder clean is to make a 1:9 ratio bleach:water solution, rinse, and coat all parts of the feeder, let it sit for one minute and then rinse at least three times. This should take care of any pathogen. Happy feeding! And if you are in our neck of the woods, please come visit!
Great article! The only thing I would add is that one does not need to heat the water when making homemade hummingbird food. The practice originated from the misconception that heating the water will kill any bacteria in it, and it will be safer for the birds. However, once the first bird dips its beak into the nectar in the feeder, the whole batch is contaminated all over again. The best way to keep a hummingbird feeder clean is to make a 1:9 ratio bleach:water solution, rinse, and coat all parts of the feeder, let it sit for one minute and then rinse at least three times. This should take care of any pathogen. Happy feeding! And if you are in our neck of the woods, please come visit!
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