What Do You Do With Hummingbird Feeders When on Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

Are you a hummingbird enthusiast who loves to feed these beautiful and delicate creatures? If so, you might be wondering what to do with your hummingbird feeders when you go on vacation.

After all, you don’t want these tiny birds to go hungry while you’re away. In this article, we’ll explore some options for keeping your hummingbird feeders full and healthy while you’re on vacation.

Option 1: Ask a Friend or Neighbor

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your hummingbirds are fed while you’re on vacation is to ask a friend or neighbor for help. If you have someone who lives nearby that’s familiar with feeding hummingbirds, they may be happy to take care of your feeders while you’re away. Make sure they understand how often to refill the feeder and how to clean it properly.

Option 2: Use a Hummingbird Feeder with a Large Capacity

If you have a large number of hummingbirds visiting your feeder regularly, consider investing in one with a larger capacity. There are many models available on the market that can hold several cups of nectar at once. This way, even if you’re gone for several days, there will still be plenty of food available for the birds.

Option 3: Freeze Your Nectar

Another option is to freeze your nectar before leaving on vacation. This can be done by making a larger batch of nectar than usual and pouring it into ice cube trays.

Once frozen, store the cubes in an airtight container in the freezer until needed. Before leaving on vacation, simply place one or two cubes in each feeder. As they thaw over time, the hummingbirds will have access to fresh food.

Option 4: Take Your Feeders Down

If none of these options work for you, the last resort is to take your feeders down while you’re away. This may seem like a drastic step, but it’s better than leaving the feeders out and allowing the nectar to become stagnant or moldy. When you return from vacation, simply clean the feeder thoroughly before putting it back up.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are several options for ensuring that your hummingbird feeders are taken care of while you’re on vacation. Whether you ask a friend for help, invest in a larger capacity feeder, freeze your nectar, or take your feeders down altogether, it’s important to remember that these delicate creatures rely on us for their survival. By taking the necessary steps to provide them with fresh food and clean feeders, we can continue to enjoy their beauty and grace for years to come.