Stokes Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
by Don and Lillian Stokes 1. Put up feeders just before hummingbirds are expected to arrive in your area. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in late February to mid-March in southern areas, late-March to early April in the middle of the U.S., and mid-April to mid-May in the North. In the West, Allen's Hummingbird may arrive on its breeding grounds as early as January. A few species, such as Anna's Hummingbird (of the West) and Buff-bellied Hummingbird (of South Texas), can be found all year.
2. Place feeders in a sheltered area near flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds, such as red tubular flowers. Feeders can be hung from a hook such as the Stokes Select 42” Hummingbird Hook.
3. Fill feeders with fresh nectar solution. You can make a nectar solution of 1 part white table sugar (do not use honey or artificial sweeteners) to 4 parts water. Boil for 1-2 minutes to dissolve sugar. Cool. Fill feeder. Store the extra nectar solution in your refrigerator.
4. It is highly important to clean hummingbird feeders and fill with fresh nectar solution every 2 days in hot weather. The nectar is susceptible to mold and harmful bacteria in very hot weather. Clean feeders with hot water and a little vinegar, or with a mild bleach solution for tough cleaning jobs. Scrub feeder with bottle brush and rinse thoroughly. Then fill with fresh nectar solution. Choose hummingbird feeders that are easy to take apart to clean.
5. Hummingbirds are very entertaining and can be competitive around feeders. To reduce hummingbird competition and allow more hummingbirds to feed, put up several hummingbird feeders, widely spaced, preferably out of view of one another.
6. Most hummingbirds migrate out of the U.S. in the winter. Leave your hummingbird feeders up until after the first frost or until migrants are no longer seen in your area. Leaving up feeders will not deter hummingbirds from migrating, they know instinctively when to leave.
7. To encourage hummingbirds to stay in your area good hummingbird habitat with a variety of trees, areas of sun and shade and lots of flower that hummingbirds favor. Hummingbirds visit flowers of different colors but they especially Impatiens, Salvia, Bee Balm, Penstemon, Columbine, & Trumpet Vine.