Good advice hummersteve. I do clean mine using the method you described. Soaking them in a bleach/water solution is the only way to remove the accumulation of mold inside of non-removable bases...I try not to let mine get to that point, but there is always some present even though I clean and change the nectar every 1 or 2 days. I keep extra feeders on hand so as not to disrupt their feeding..I'll fill a clean feeder, then take one down, etc...my rotation system so to speak.

Looks like you're still in the lead and yes, I AM COUNTING!! LOL! My population may be somewhat down from this same time last year, but I'm not sure. I have just 5 feeders up right now, and there are 2 they seem to favor as they're emptied pretty quickly. OK, you've had your fun long enough, so send a few on down my way!!

Donna

Hi Donna,

What 2 feeders do they favor? What are the other 3?

Thanks!

Hey Donna

I just sent some on their merry way south this morning. You should be seeing them shortly lol.

Oh, how sweet of you hummersteve! I promise to take good care of them!

While the 2 they favor right now are Perky Pets, it may have more to do with where they are located..perhaps a little of both. The 2 PPs hang from the eaves of my breezeway, going down to the patio and 1 is a hummzinger on a sheperds hook at the edge of the patio. The other 2 currently up are in front of my kitchen window on a sheperds hook..1 PP and 1 hummzinger. I will add more as they are needed. The breezeway feeders are the ones they are favoring..but in Aug. and Sept., I have so many hummers that all feeders are busy!

Donna

I have a good bit of action now, but august is the fun month. I anticipate it like a kid on christmas morn. That is when I change my schedule around just for them. I set my alarm to be sure Im out with my coffee before they arrive. Then I start counting or trying to as they arrive, but of course Donna Im sure you lose count before that. Am I the only one that gets excited about august. I know it is a bitter-sweet time so I get all I can out of it. Is my excitement spilling thru this message,, sorry.

Hummersteve, you are in good company so don't apologize for your excitement! My "over the edge" enthusiasm is not just about hummers, but my nesting birds! I am one bird crazy lady! I was lucky to have had both bluebirds and chickadees nesting this year. It's always bittersweet to see the last brood of bbs fledge, but the few hummers at that time always pick up my spirits and ease the "empty nest" syndrome...and yes, the anticipation of Aug. is exciting! Do you get a little down in the dumps when they're gone?? I do, so by mid Oct., it's the "empty nest" syndrome all over again!!!!

Donna

No bbs here that I have seen. Actually I start to get down when the numbers start dwindling as I realize its the beginning of the end for this season. I have many different kinds of birds here from very large to very tiny. There is a huge farmland across the street from me.

hummersteve, i am totally with you! I have a bunch (for me at least) right now and know many more will arrive in August!! I can hardly wait for their numbers to grow, but also almost hate to see the time come as i know they are headed South!! It's so bittersweet! In April, when they come "home" again, it just bring tears to my eyes...good to know others love them like i do and that i'm not the only "nut" around!! :)

I find it hard to believe that hygenic care of your feeders as you would wash your dishes isn't enough. I to use bleach twice a month or so, but also wash my feeders in the dish washer as well. Is there really a residue of soap left after the rince cycle that could harm them? I think not.

Wow, I rarely use soap when cleaning my humzingers....after the first bug incrusted beak hits it, the feeder's "contaminated" again (LOL). Maybe, because I only fill them half way, the sugar water isn't there long enough to get moldy.

These are wild birds, yes? I'm guessing they have pretty good immune systems...survival skills...probably can tell if a feeder's gone bad??? Whatever floats your boat.

Good Humming.

Anyone use vinegar to clean their feeders? I've been using that instead of bleach. I've heard it works just as well as bleach (but the smell it leaves on your hands is another story)