If possible, each spring install your feeder before insects arrive and before flowers bloom. This wins hummers to your food source before they are established solely on nature's bounty.

Hang your feeder in a partially shaded area, direct sun can cause the sugar and water nectar mixture to separate and leak from your feeder.

A feeder should be cleaned thoroughly once a week in warm water and white vinegar to remove residue. A stiff bottle brush or hand-mop is useful. Soap or detergent are not recommended, especially if you have a vacuum type feeder which relies on capillary action (which soap interferes with). We recommend fresh nectar weekly; old solutions can ferment or produce a mold harmful to hummers. Hummers are fussy and will not come to feeders that have been neglected. They are quickly discouraged when they find feeders empty.

Hummers are very territorial and will fight at a feeder. When this happens it is best to set up another feeder in another spot to stop the fighting. Locate it about six feet from the other feeder.

Do not use any pesticides on flowers from which hummingbirds feed.