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fatal hummingbird feeders
Some feeders may actually be hiding black mold.
In preparation for the winter season, I recently took down the hummingbird feeders. Prepped for a thorough cleansing in the dishwasher before packing them away for spring, one feeder in particular left me wondering: how does this one come apart? Well, it didn’t, and I proceeded to break one of the perches in trying to do so! I thought it was a pretty decent feeder, with 4 perches and a built-in ant moat, it was purchased from a “big-box store”.
To my surprise, black mold was found in the base, hiding in the recessed areas next to the bottom of the feeding ports. You couldn’t reach it even with the craftiest of brushes. After running this hummingbird feeder through the dishwasher, the ugly black stuff persisted. This mold can be deadly to hummingbirds, and purchasing a feeder that doesn’t come apart was not my brightest idea. Placed in the bin for recycling, this bargain hummingbird feeder is now history. You can bet that any future ones will be be totally disassemble-able!
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The Invaluable Ant Moat
Ants just love sugary, sticky, sweet nectar! Whether it’s Hummingbird, Oriole or butterfly nectar, if they can get to it…you bet they will find it! But the good thing, and saving grace for those who feed nectar, is that ants can’t swim. They are virtually unable to cross a small body of water. Enter the invaluable ant moat.These little gadgets make the difference between great birding experiences vs. pesky, miserable ones filled with unwelcome guests. Simple by adding an ant moat to your hummingbird feeder, or other nectar feeders, you will stop ants dead in their tracks.
The ant moat shown here is a little nicer than the standard model, but they all do the same thing…stop ants from getting at nectar. In the heat of summer, a drop of salad oil may be added to the water to slow the evaporation process. Remember, the ant moats will not work unless they are kept filled with water.
- Bird Accessories, Bird Feeders, Hummingbird Feeders, Nesting Material, Uncategorized, Window Hummingbird Feeder
Window Hummingbird Feeder for the Porch Rail
The advantage to any window bird feeder is the close up view. Right from the comfort of sitting at your breakfast room table, sipping morning coffee (or guzzling in a frantic rush like most) wonderful bird behaviors are seamlessly incorporated into your day. Window feeders come in just about every kind and style, from platforms, and suet feeders, to tube style and hummingbird feeders.What if you just wanted that feeder a few feet further, or didn’t really prefer it slap right on the window? This stylish window hummingbird feeder actually can be attached to a deck rail as well. It’s the perfect window hummingbird feeder…not on the window itself!
Other excellent hummingbird attractors include moving water and nesting material. Hummer Helper Nest Material has actually been endorsed by The Hummingbird Society as helpful for hummingbirds nesting process. Nectar producing flowers are always a sure bet, and brighten up any landscape. Window hummingbird feeders make great and long lasting gifts, that will be used again and again, to provide nourishment for hummers and entertainment for hosts.
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