One Butterfly and Hummer Gardener's Success Story!
I run three feeders daily, because I've found hummers to be quite territorial. With only one feeder, they would chase each other away. I don't think they prefer nectar from feeders over flower nectar. They seem to make this choice themselves, as they go back and forth to the flowers as well.
Are you concerned that your hummingbirds will become dependent upon the nectar in your feeders?
Because I have both flowers and nectar feeders available for them, I really don't worry that they will become dependent on the nectar in my feeders. In observing my hummingbirds, they always seem to make a conscious choice as to what they want to eat. My nectar mixture is made using four parts of water to one part granulated white sugar. First I boil the water and then dissolve the sugar in it. I let the mixture cool before placing it in my feeders. It isn't necessary to add red food coloring to this nectar mix, and I've read where this isn't a very good practice as it could cause hummers to become ill. They are, however, very attracted to feeders with bright red colors on them.
Do hummingbird feeders require any special care? How often do you change the nectar mixture in your feeders?
Feeders must be cleaned often. In the hot summer I change the nectar every two days, whereas during cooler weather, I change it less often--about every four days. I don't wait until the feeders are empty before changing the nectar. I rinse the feeders with very hot water, and use a little toothbrush to clean the inside parts of the feeder. I don't use soap of any kind.
Do both hummingbirds and butterflies visit your gardens all summer?
My little creatures start coming in April, and continue to stay here throughout the summer. When fall comes, they start their migration south.
Please share some secrets of your success about keeping your gardens safe and healthy for your "jewels of the sky."
I use NO herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers in my yard at all. I just leave it to Nature. Herbicides and pesticides can be deadly to both butterflies and their caterpillars, and can either kill or make hummingirds very sick. I did have one plant that would become so decimated by insects in June of every year, that I finally decided to rip it out. That was a "Chinese
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