It is important that hummingbird nectar be as fresh as possible. This task is much harder to accomplish task during our heat wave. With daily temperatures in the 90s and feel like temperatures reaching triple digits, bacteria and mold are currently growing more rapidly than normal.
If hummingbird food becomes cloudy and/or black spots appear inside a feeder, you have a serious problem. These are signs that the nectar in your feeder is unfit for hummingbirds.
When I have lots blooming in my yard being enjoyed by the hummers (like right now), I’ve gotten where I just don’t put out a feeder. It’s very challenging to keep the feeder cleaned and changed out every few days. If you don’t do that, I believe a feeder does more harm than good.
Ted,
I agree. In fact, I know some folks that do not use feeders and rely on the flowers and insects in their yards to feed the birds. It seems to work for them.