Hummingbirds are fascinating little acrobats that consume half their body weight in insects and nectar daily. Based on Penn State Cooperative Extension, the U.S. is home to 16 hummingbird species — almost all of them discovered west of the Mississippi River. Placing feeders in the right spots ensures hummingbirds visit the garden every year.

Advantage

The main reason for placing feeders in the garden is so you can observe the hummingbirds’ antics from in the home. A place within three feet of a window allows you to observe the birds shut up, and can also be safest to get the birds. Placing the feeder six feet or more from a window presents the chance that a hummingbird can fly into the window in full rate, increasing its chance of injury. Feeders need regular care, so place the feeder where it’s easily accessible for cleaning and refilling. You’re a lot more likely to tend the feeder if you don’t need to use a ladder to get to it.

Shelter

A place near shrubs and trees provides a safe place for hummingbirds to escape from predators, such as hawks, and provides a place to rest between feedings. Conifers, such as pine and fir, are excellent because the dense evergreen foliage provides shelter year-round. Allow several feet between the feeder and the trees, as trees give handy hiding spots for cats. A shady place is best because the sugar mixture spoils quickly in direct sunlight.

Territories

Hummingbirds are territorial birds which often are not inclined to talk about their feeder with other individuals. Several tiny feeders positioned at various locations are better than just one big feeder. For example, place hummingbird feeders close windows on opposite sides of the home so that the hummingbirds can see only 1 feeder at one time. A couple of feeders put in the shelter of tree branches produces a safe place for females to feed and raise their young without competing with more aggressive men.

Flowers

A yard filled with vibrant, hummingbird-friendly flowers provides an additional food source for hummingbirds. Red, orange or yellow blossoms with tube-shaped flowers are best, since the hummingbirds can insert their long, thin beaks to the blossoms. Nectar-rich flowers include blooming vines such as honeysuckle vine (Lonicera spp.) , or trumpet creeper vine (Campsis spp.) . Hummingbirds can also be brought to bee balm (Monarda spp.) , bleeding heart (Dicentra spp.) , beard tongue (Penstemon spp.) , zinnia (Zinnia elegans) and blue or red sage (Salvia spp.) .

Tips

A hummingbird feeder with bee guards helps keep bees and wasps from consuming the sweet alternative. The guards will not remove the issue completely, as hummingbirds may spill a few drops in the practice of feeding. If ants are a issue, coat the string or wire suspending the feeder with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Most hummingbirds feeders are partially red, and this is enough color to pull the birds. Yellow feeders are equally as great, although some experts believe yellow feeders are more attractive to bees. Red food dye is not necessary and might be toxic to the birds. Use regular white sugar to generate the solution. Never substitute honey, which grows fungus and bacteria quickly.

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