Determining the best time to place a hummingbird feeder in the spring will help you prepare for the hummingbird’s northward migration. In most of North America, hummingbirds migrate south in the fall, spend the winter in Mexico or Central America, and don’t migrate north again until the weather warms up.
Here’s what you need to know in order to place your feeder at the right time to attract these brightly colored pollinators and encourage them to stay in your garden during the growing season.
Why put hummingbird feeders in the spring
When the days start to get longer and the sunlight hits a certain angle, hummingbirds begin to migrate north. This northward migration usually coincides with the time when the flowers are in full bloom in the spring. If the hummingbird’s arrival coincides with the time when the flowers are in full bloom, they will find themselves without a reliable source of food unless they come across a well-placed nectar feeder on the way.
Having a honey feeder ready in time for the hummingbird to return can provide the hummingbird with much-needed food after a long trip and encourage them to stay in your garden for the next few months. If hummingbirds don’t have flowers or honey feeders when they arrive in the spring, they may not return to the garden.
The best time to place the hummingbird feeder
In areas where hummingbirds migrate south in winter, it is best to place hummingbird feeders outdoors about two weeks before the hummingbirds are expected to return. This guarantees that those hummingbirds that arrive early have delicious food after a long migration. Male hummingbirds usually depart a week or two earlier than females and therefore arrive at their destination earlier than females.
When is the best time to remove a hummingbird feeder? In warmer areas, hummingbirds will roost here, and you can hang feeders there all year round. In colder regions, you can hang the feeder until autumn, or longer so that late migratory birds can wait with peace of mind.
Don’t worry about leaving the feeder outside to disrupt the hummingbird’s migration routes. They know when to leave, based on instinct, changes in sunlight, etc.
Tips for using hummingbird feeders
Placing a hummingbird feeder outside at the right time is one way to make your garden more appealing to hummingbirds, but if you want to see more hummingbirds and create a pollinator-safe habitat, keep the following tips in mind.
1. Use less nectar in spring
At the beginning of the year, hummingbirds are less abundant, so there is no need to fill the feeder completely. To avoid wasting nectar, simply pour one-third of the nectar into the feeder and add as the number of hummingbirds increases.
2. Clean the feeder regularly
Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned twice a week in hot weather and once a week in cool weather. When cleaning the feeder, use hot water, a hummingbird feeder brush, and a diluted vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water). Never use soap or bleach, as these products may damage hummingbirds.
3. Don’t use red dye
Nectar made with synthetic red dye is not good for hummingbirds, and there is no need to add them if you are already using a red hummingbird feeder. You can choose clear hummingbird nectar or make your own hummingbird feed with water and refined white sugar.
4. Hang the feeder in the shade
If not cleaned regularly, hummingbird feeders can easily harbor bacteria. Hanging the feeder in the shade can prevent the nectar from spoiling quickly, but the nectar should be changed every three to five days.
5. Protect the feeder from pests.
Ants and bees around hummingbird feeders can be a nuisance, but you can distract them by using ant ditches or filling nearby dishes with sugar water. Do not use petroleum-based products such as petroleum jelly on hummingbird feeders to repel insects; These products can also cause harm to hummingbirds.