Birdfeeders

Q. I wish I could attract more hummingbirds to my hummingbird feeder. Any suggestions?

A. The two most important things you can do are to keep the hummingbird feeder clean and make sure to change the nectar often to keep it fresh. After that, keep in mind the hummingbirds are very territorial so putting up more hummingbird feeders will certainly attract more hummers! Add hummingbird feeders one at time and see what happens. They don’t need to be spaced more than a few feet apart, but having different kinds certainly adds interest to your yard.

Q. How can I keep bees and wasps away from my hummingbird feeder?

A. If bees and wasps are a problem, use a flat top hummingbird feeder. These are designed so the nectar isn’t right at the feeding port. The hummers can easily reach the nectar, but the bees and wasps cannot.

Q. How do I keep ants out of my hummingbird feeders?

A. The best solution I have found is the inexpensive “Trap-It” ant moat. It is simply a small plastic cup that is hung above a hummingbird feeder and filled with water. The ants can’t get to the feeder.