I had no idea what an “ant moat” was before this video! I have had a heck of a time with ants so this has been amazing!!!! Thank you Robbie and Gary!!!
I love hummingbirds and hummingbirds feeders . When my son was a little boy . He stuck his finger up against a hummingbird feeder . A hummingbird sat on his little finger and ate out of the feeder . My Granny , my daughter , and I saw that in person . We were blown away !!
After several yrs of trying every humming bird feeder on the market, I finally found the PERFECT one. It's leak proof, has 10 ports, has a perch all the way around to sit on, comes with bee guards, and is 32 oz! :-) They're by First Nature. They're THE BEST! I hope Robbie sees this. I don't know how she keeps all her feeders filled! lol I only have about 20 hummers and was changing my 12 oz feeders every other day and sometimes every day. I'm very excited! The price is great too. Oh and they have ant motes too. woo hoo!! BTW I love your videos!!
How beautiful you bring joy to my heart knowing you were helping out a little friends this world has fallen out of touch with nature so much animals can teach you a lot about what is real Thank you so much for sharing your joy I truly enjoyed it❤
i JUST FOUND a hummingbird nest in a small bush in my back yard. I looked up and there was a nest and two chicks crying for mom. The mother looked so skinny when she came that I went straight to You Tube to see what I could find, and I found this channel. I have the aluminum frame of a large yard umbrella that I thought would be cool to attach 4 feeders on each arm and mount it up high away from any cats. I have four felines that would love two play with birdy~friend. I would have to fashion it so it would be easy to refill feeders... this just got me thinking summer project, thanks for the ideas, I am a new subber. LOL
I really appreciate you going over each one. I never knew about the ant/water or the bee guard. I have seen bees in my feeders. Here in Tucson, we have a lot of hummingbirds too.
Tip to clean difficult humming bird feeders, use a dental floss water jet!! It works for cleaning in tiny spaces, you might want to do this in the shower to keep from making a mess all over your kitchen.
My favorite feeder is the one that is suction cupped to my window , they love it too.. And if it needs refilled they will fly looking in my window , like , hey lady I need a refill!! Lol
If you will use Vicks Vaporub all around the flowers, you will NOT have any problems with flying, or walking insects on your feeders, EVER! They can also use the Vicks to repell Mites in their fethers I have seen them preening their fethers using the Vicks. (fyi) Also, if you will use distilled water to mix your nectar with , and place the feeders in the noon, to afternoon shade, that's even more success.
Love the hummingbird scene I think they are God’s wonderful special creatures...myself I prefer the glass jar and the bee guards as we had lots of problems with them...but the glass works perfect..new subscriber thank you for your inspiring videos!
FYI.... I happened to be in Harbor Freight the other day in need of some paintbrushes when I saw a package of five different sized brushes on a ring that were meant to clean airbrush equipment orifices. They looked like miniature bottle brushes. I bought a package, not knowing why but it seemed like the thing to do. Now I know why it seemed so important. Those brushes will be perfect for cleaning Hummingbird feeders.
Thank you, Sweetie! This was a really comprehensive guide for choosing a hummingbird feeder. I’m so glad I watched this! I would not have taken many points you mentioned into consideration! I really appreciate the time you took to make this video and upload it. Now I’m armed with all the info I need to make a smart choice! Thank you so much and much love to you!
Thank you for this helpful overview of Hummingbird feeders! I just bought one similar to the one you talk about at 7 minutes in except the flowers are bigger and raised up more. I discovered while I was cleaning it that the flowers actually completely detach and snap back in when you’re done cleaning them.
Robbie I know this video is a little older I have found the feeders that I like. They have wide mouths and I love them because they are easy to clean. I love the glass and always have. Here in Oklahoma we have a lot of wind and the glass is heavier and don't move around.
I don't personally care for the ones without perches for the birds because I believe they are just expending energy hovering there to get the nectar. Just a personal preference, I like to give them a place to perch while they sip.
I personally like the feeders w- perches best, too. Give them a rest for a few seconds- give us a chance to admire their beauty & Maybe snap a great picture. 😍
I agree especially in bad weather. When it’s chilly and pouring raining I’ve seen them perch and feed steadily for several minutes looking kind of worn out. They do conserve energy in that case when they really need it most.
I find most of mine are hovering, because they like to get territorial and the fly around hitting each other! The long I have been feeding them, the more the dynamics change last year I have some that were perfectly fine to share. I thought maybe they were related. Idk tho.
I really enjoy your videos. My husband and I love watching our hummers . Everyday I fill four feeders and sometimes I have to rush to do it because they are almost dry.. I have the same ones you also prefer. We now have a pair of Oreos. WOW was I pleasantly surprised when you put your yorkies on the video because my little Summer is also a yorkie! Please keep producing your videos.
I bought that double-decker one last month and it works great. I only had about 4 or 5 hummingbirds last year and this year there are about a dozen or so I'm seeing. Just found your channel and really like your enthusiasm and style. Cheers.
Hello Robbie, thank you so much for explaining these feeders and giving information on where to hang , how many to hang , which ones to buy for ant mode and bee problems . I will change mine out. This is terrific info. I just love you so much , I follow you all the time. Thank you for teaching me a lot that I didn't know before. I make my own nectar, don't use any food coloring as this is poisonous to our beautiful birds. I just love your beautiful garden as well!!!
The 'average one' at 5:34 has plastic mesh-looking balls in each 'flower'. I have one of those feeders and it comes completely apart. To clean those mesh-looking balls I pull them out of the flower, they flip open, they're hinged in the center unless they've changed the design. The flowers pull off, too, just be sure to point them upward when reassembling. I take the whole thing apart and clean it with a brush in soapy water.
My university extension service says not to use soap, only bleach. That means no dishwasher. It's difficult to thoroughly rinse some parts of these feeders. Traces of detergent can get in the nectar and harm the birds.
Omg, I’m such a blonde senior lol In all my years I never knew about the ant moat & I do have an ant problem & actually have a couple that have the ant moat, but I thought it was such a decoration. I’m such a ding dong I’ve always have had hummingbird feeders & I do have several of the different kinds you showed Ty you so much for all the info. 💐😄
Glad it was helpful! This is better ❤️Hummingbird Feeder Tips-BE AWARE of Issues Before YOU Buy, EASY Clean, Bees Ants & DIY Recipe Nectar ruclips.net/video/Pkxb0EWhpBY/видео.html
Hi Robbie...love your videos...very informative! I have the double-decker Hummingbird feeder and mine can actually be used as two feeders...they come apart! I have one hanging from my evergreen tree and put the other on the deck railing. So far I have had only one little Hummingbird feast at the feeder hanging under the evergreen tree. I have three feeders and want to buy a few more when I know more Hummingbirds are coming. My sister-in-law had a mother Hummingbird make a nest under the eve of her picture window...the babies were so adorable!! Take care and stay safe!
Robbie I never knew what a Moat was. Also, my very first hummingbird feeder is the one next to the one you made a video at the end. I never knew I could open or how to open it to clean it inside. Didn't even realize it could have gotten mold. One time I was cleaning it out and shaking it really hard to get water out of the little holes and noticed some black stuff coming out of the tiny holes so I used a toothpick to go into each hole to clean it. Thank you thank you I will be cleaning it much better the next time. The hummingbirds have been feeding from it. I will be buying another of the same feeder. I love the seats for the birds and NOW I know how to deep clean it from you showing me!! Thank you.
Thank you for your excellent information!!! I purchased the cheaper Walmart feeder....make the holes bigger with a drill and glued a red silk flower on the top. We had a little beauty claim it all to himself. He's so adorable...looks like he has a little tuxedo on.
Robbie!! Love, love, absolutely LOVE listening to your creative ideas on gardening. Mostly am interested in the hummingbirds feeder ideas!! You may have shared this idea that I've not seen but in the issue of ant moat I've always used vaseline in the moat. Of course, replacing as needed. Adding a thick coat to the hanger works great too. Wish we were neighbors so I could enjoy loads of your fun and exciting ideas but RUclips is next best thing! Keep sharing!
I did not realize how much information I was lacking when it came to hummingbird feeders. Thank you for sharing and enlightening us! Now that I’m more informed I’ve got to go buy another feeder. 😊
I so love all the information She gives. I went from having one come and go to 15. My humming birds tend to be picky. They like to look at the water in the container. They wont drink red liquid or out of any red glass. They also prefer the recipe she shares of sugar and water. Make sure the opening isn't a tiny slit like she said. Keep container clean, wash them often especially during hot weather. Mold can kill them. Watch her videos, you will learn a lot. Oh, you can also buy ant cups or ant moats to hang with your feeder to keep ants out. Ants can grab the tongue of the bird and not release.
I use that $8 pennington feeder with the white holes, had it for 3 years and the birds love it and the ant moat is deep enough, bought two more to hang... It cleans fine.
Those are my favorite too!because it allows the birds to rest and sit, and you can watch them ,I’ve been feeding them for 26 years now,..I get a lot , not as much as you, I’m up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and yes it’s good to put them all around the west side the south and east side of the house, and I had to laugh I have one of my feeders right outside my kitchen window like you, I watch them while I do dishes
I have had the $8.94 Pennington glass with the small flat flowers at the base for 5 years. It's super easy to clean by soaking and using a toothbrush in the grooves, and a toothpick thru the feed tubes. Never had an issue with bees or ants. Bats are an issue with my neighbors who say they drain their feeders but they don't bother mine. I make my own nectar too, 3 filtered water to 1 part sugar. I heat on stove on the lowest heat a few minutes just to dissolve the sugar then store it in the fridge. I don't completely fill the feeder because of having to replace nectar often in a sonoran desert heat! Thanks for the review, so glad I found your channel. Great ideas and tips.
Wow, that was a fascinating 29 minutes!! I feel like a dummy standing in front of all the birdfeeders not having a clue what is actually best for the birds.
I was at Home Depot Bakersfield today. Bought supplies to make a dog ramp for house. Lady saw it and asked if I were building a garden. Her mom was on the phone and wanted to build a garden. So I said wait a second and looked up your U Tube channel and told her about your Chair Garden. They were very excited to try it.
Hung my feeder for the hummers within 10 min's they were here eating seen at least 6 diff hummers thank you for all the videos that you and Gary do Blessing to you both
What do u do when it rains? I had my husband drill a hole in a plastic bowl and I turned the bowl upside down over the feeder. I used a rubber stopper to hold the bowl up off of feeder.
My birds love the cheap feeders that you showed at Walmart. Made in USA bonus. Bottom line is you don't have to spend a ton of money to make your hummingbirds happy
I’m trying to watch all your videos to catch up the hummingbirds feeders, I went to dollar and I was side truck and forgot to pick up some 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I will go back later cuz I’m going to get my brother in law from the heart hospital here, 🙏🏻♥️ Robbie and Gary u are God sent for our beautiful natures. God bless you and ur family, love your videos ♥️👍👩🌾
I'm in Tennessee and just discovered your channel and have been doing something that's kind of the same as you for a few years! Not even close to the same numbers of hummingbirds though : ) WOW!! I know you and I could talk forever if we ever met. Thank you for posting your videos :)
Thank you for sharing this video, I love your energy and enthusiasm. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. I plan on making my own and now I have a lot of ideas. Thanks again.
My first feeder was the Perky Pet feeder (6:40) but it was such a pain to clean and fill. There's a design flaw that you fill the container, screw on the feeder opening and then turn it right side up. The nectar spills everywhere. I also had finches and yellow jackets drinking from it regularly. I now have 2 Aspects Hummzinger HighView Hummingbird Feeder, the 4 oz. and 8 oz. So easy to clean and fill. The 8 oz. comes with a built in moat. You can also see the birds from any angle as there's no bottle to hide them. As for nectar, I prefer to use homemade nectar, only. Dissolve 1 part white granulated sugar into 4 parts water. NO DYE!! For example 2 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar. Remember to clean your feeders at least once a week, especially in the summer. Your hummers will love you for it. Enjoy them!
Instead of discarding feeders without ant moats you can put your own ant moat on. Take the top cup/cap from a spray paint can, hairspray can, cooking spray, etc. and use it as an ant moat. Rig it up however you need to, I added fishing line for hanging, ran it through a tiny hole I melted through the cap, hot glued around it. No more ant problem.
I love watching the birds, I also have a few feeders, I cook my water and add sugar, they did not care for bought ready made mixture. Have a wonderful day, thank you for sharing.👍👍
Clean feeders with dental cleaner then rinse. I read this awhile back, and it works well then brush with bottle brush and straw brush. Here on the coast of Oregon, I have year around hummingbirds. The dental cleaner is $3-4 at Walmart for a box of 40. I turned the feeders upside down, filled with water while sitting in water and dropped dental cleaner in feeders and water around feeders. Cleaned 5 feeders and used 8 cleaners. Worked well.
No they mean the little brushes that clean between your teeth - some are made of rubber - some nylon brushes - interdental cleaners - brand names - proxabrush & soft picks - ask yr dental hygienist- can find at most dollar stores 😊
Hi…I know it is an older video but just wanted to add a comment. I bought my first feeder a few years back (at Walmart also) it is the one at the end of your video on the lower shelf. Not sure if still available for other viewers…..I like this one because it has a metal(top) & plastic base that opens and separates into two pieces (with a rubber type gasket between) when the glass jar(small mason jar) is unscrewed from the base and is easy to clean(I do weekly). I also use a toothbrush sometimes on the ‘flowers’ if they looked dirty. I have been fortunate to have never had a problem with ants or bees(knock of wood!). Looking to make one of the solar powered water fountains, so doing my homework. Good Luck everyone!
Appreciate this video VERY much! I have not had a bee problem until this year. My family bought me the lovely blue glass feeder in your video. It's lovely ....but ... it is a bee magnetic 🧲 🐝🐝🐝🐝 I have moved it for now to a more remote area of the yard. My remaining feeders are the cheaper plastic types. I use ant moats with them ...they work great! Thank you again for the video. I now know what to look for.
I never knew you needed to know so much about a hummingbird bird feeder I've been looking at him for years I really don't pay attention to know if they're really in my area but I think they're beautiful looking and now I feel confident that I would pick the right one thank you so much❤😊👍🌱
Robbie I was at home depot and I got the one that looks like bugles where u couldn’t find a hanger . The top comes off and the hanger is taped underneath. It wasn’t what I wanted but it’s all they had. It will work. I haven’t seen any hummingbirds here in our apt yet. So this is find for now. I bought it and came back to re watch your video to see if it was a good one. Bee guard , ant moat, easy to clean. Also I’m from Southern California. Ty for your video
I have two of the glass one with the 2x on it, it is so easy to keep clean, I added a extra ant moat. The second one with the big yellow grate bee guard, the bees still get all into it. The Oreoles must have loosened the guards. Love your tips! Thank you.
I've found out that that one does leak on me so I went back and got the little cheapy ones that you said worked well & now they are starting to come more often & they don't leak. Give the $3.67 feeders a try. SUPER easy to clean too!
Thanks for all the info!!! The Perky Pet one leaks with slightest movement/swaying. Many others have had the same problem with that design. Cannot use it on a windy day. Finally took it down and bought the cheap one from Walmart. Hopefully the hummingbirds will adapt quickly to the change.
Elizabeth - Yup, it leaks like crazy. I’m going to retire mine since I only have two hummers, and go see if I can get myself a couple of those cheap Walmart ones so they stop fighting over the one. *fingers crossed *
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insight on the hummingbird feeders . I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I love learning more and more every time I watch you! ✨💛✨
Yesss !! Miss Robbie, They are here too, l live in Fallbrook, in San Diego County. I was able to identify it by his call at frist, then I look and there he was on a Mexican palm, l ' m so excited.
My wife and I have maintained 30+ feeders for years. We have tried most brands of feeders. Ultimately, we decided First Nature feeders with 1 qt jars and slot holes are the best for our Ruby Throats. Made in the USA, inexpensive, light weight, easiest of all to clean, integral ant moat, and they last for years. Very well designed feeders!
I had my first hummingbird this year. I am a work in progress. I learned about an ant moat because of ants early on. I found one at Lowe's for only 3.97. You are so insightful on the different types. I currently have wasps that hang around the nectar. I know I need to get a different feed that has a bee guard on it. Thank you for all the feeder info.
This is so informative. I just started feeding our hummers a few months ago. I have the beautiful purple diamond glass one, and I get a steady stream of them, but they don't swarm to it like yours do. I bought a second one that is smaller, and clear glass, but they aren't nearly as interested in that one as they are in the purple one. They are about 6-8 feet apart, and I'm thinking that I either need to buy a third one to put in between, or just put them closer together. I never get more than one at a time, and sometimes when one is feeding, another will dive bomb it, and they both fly away. I bought a large bottle of clear nectar, and now that I've used it up, I used your method to make my own food, and they love it just as much. I'm looking for any tips to attract more.
I just bought the purple glass one and cannot for the life of me figure out how to take the base apart for cleaning? No instructions came with it except to say "sealed base comes apart for easy cleaning" The glass easily unscrews from the base, but the base seems impossible to take apart! Please help!
The hook for the first glass feeder has hook under the top piece . Which is supposed to be an ant mote. Thank you for all your knowledge. I too love the wee birds. We are in Canada on the East coast. See you soon . Enjoy your life
I love all your videos. Thank you. I do have a great way to keep ant off the feeders. Rub Vaseline on the hanger part and the very top op the bottle or any part ants can walk onto it. I’ve been using this method for three years now and the ants have never got to the feeding cups. Before I used the Vaseline my feeders would be covered in ants. The trail to them was terrible. Not one ant with the Vaseline. I’ve also just made a circle ring on the eve around the hook. It works also. Hope you like how easy this is 👍💖
Very interesting and thanks for posting. I am an avid humming bird lover up in Western WA and we have mostly Anna's and they stay here year around. I don't have near as many as you, I'd say about 10 or so, that frequent my feeders all year long. One of my challenges has been to keep the feeders from freezing during winter. We usually have about 2 or 3 weeks in winter where feeders are in danger of freezing and it has been a source of real concern and worry for me. I finally have a really good system to keep them from freezing. Also I have tried feeders with perches and those without and in my experience the hummers tend to prefer the ones without perches. They will use both but placed side by side they usually choose the one without a perch. I think they are just made that way, like how they go from flower to flower without perching on anything, it is in their nature. I have several feeders and believe it or not they love the one with no bee guard the most. However I am going to retire it because we get hornets competing with the birds for nectar and I don't like it and I don't think the hummers care for them either. I got a new feeder a few days ago and it is so nice, has perches, bee guard and ant guard and glass reservoir. I always use 1 scoop of red nectar mix along with the sugar to give them a mixture they love. The red color (just a bit of it) seems to make them happy. Anyway, I enjoyed your video a lot and appreciate the info.👍👍
I have the one with the white fireworks looking things. I actually removed them because some of my hummingbirds couldn’t get to the holes and they were so small with the bee guard. They love it. They can sit on the little perch too, but not too comfortably.
One of the things I always do when cleaning them is to take the garden hose and fire it into the basin so water shoots out the feeder holes. It's messy, but lets me know which holes may be clogged and need more attention. I honestly don't mind the bees; but I do hate the yellow jackets. They're a much bigger problem for me (Central Texas).
The first one I adjusted the slots per your instructions and both my birds and I love it. The 2nd one, the bees actually crawled under the green leaf and got super fat on my nectar and they emptied full feeders so fast I couldn't believe it. Poor Hummers had a hard time. I spent days walking away holding a feeder in each hand and my Hummers drank from those. Finally the bees disappeared.
With the bees, they do have their moments, usually when their supply in short, they seek out the feeders, then they go away, Glad I could help, thanks so much, Robbie
I had the feeder that was (I think the 5th one she showed) $8.97. That was glass with the 4 red plastic flowers, the yellow cage looking bee guards, and the perch for them to sit. I am deathly allergic to bees so I don’t want them right near me when I am sitting watching the hummingbirds. Because this bottle has a small opening, making it more difficult to clean inside, I replaced it with another one, also by perky pet, that is bigger with five feeding portals and the glass bottle is a bit bigger with a big opening at the bottom making it very easy to clean with a big bottle brush. The red flowers come off and the yellow bee guards open up and I use a toothbrush with soap to clean them well and I use Q-tips to clean inside the little ports that the flowers fit onto. I actually have two of these feeders because I like it so much. It has a good perch at each port. I haven’t seen any bees, or ants. It has a pretty good ant moat. It has a little hook that’s taped inside the red top where the ant moat is but you have to make sure you open it up before you buy it because one of mine didn’t have it so I bought a separate hook for it.
I agree, I don't like the small neck/base. So hard to clean. I also check the bee guards. Sometimes they're loose in there and come off easily. I'm always afraid it will get stuck on their beaks and they'll fly away and starve if they can't get it off. Great video!
I'm so grateful to have found your presentations. They are so useful to me as I am In LA too. I'm a newbie to this having already experienced one flying steadily around my head. That was a hoot! But now I just got a new glass feeder and 2 little Hummingbird househuts. I still have the original 2 red plastic feeders...but I'm excited and hope I can handle this! Watching you greatly helps. Keep em coming!
I love your videos I have learned so much I didnt know about the bee guard and about the water. and also I have been making my nectar wrong I use 1 cup of sugar to 2 cups of water and I boil it let it cool.❤
A baby bottle brush that also has the nipple brush is great to clean hummingbird feeders and around the flowers (especially if the flowers don't come off).
I have the one at 5:01 and it is lousy with bees. I got the one at 5:40 and bees checked it out but they took off. I did see a few hummingbirds before the bees started coming around but I think the bees were detouring not only the hummingbirds but also the wild birds that I have a bird seed feeder for on the other side of my Shepard’s hook.
Really really fun video. Nice you took the time to inform on each feeder. I had a pretty decorative coke bottle feeder with double layers flowers and one of my birds got his beak caught between the petals! I panicked, it was only for a moment, thank God. Not a good design, pretty but not good. A from Oregon
I have your first one and I will go buy a second. I love that it easy to clean. Nothing worse for the little ones than the bacteria from dirty feeders.
The excitement of this lady is contagious
Thanks
I had no idea what an “ant moat” was before this video! I have had a heck of a time with ants so this has been amazing!!!! Thank you Robbie and Gary!!!
I love hummingbirds and hummingbirds feeders . When my son was a little boy . He stuck his finger up against a hummingbird feeder . A hummingbird sat on his little finger and ate out of the feeder . My Granny , my daughter , and I saw that in person . We were blown away !!
You aren't supposed to type a space before your punctuation.
@@ophello So? Who cares? We know what the writer means. The topic is hummingbird feeders, not grammar & punctuation!
@@ophello Do you correct everyone for minor things? You must be a real joy to be around.
After several yrs of trying every humming bird feeder on the market, I finally found the PERFECT one. It's leak proof, has 10 ports, has a perch all the way around to sit on, comes with bee guards, and is 32 oz! :-) They're by First Nature. They're THE BEST! I hope Robbie sees this. I don't know how she keeps all her feeders filled! lol I only have about 20 hummers and was changing my 12 oz feeders every other day and sometimes every day. I'm very excited! The price is great too. Oh and they have ant motes too. woo hoo!! BTW I love your videos!!
How beautiful you bring joy to my heart knowing you were helping out a little friends this world has fallen out of touch with nature so much animals can teach you a lot about what is real Thank you so much for sharing your joy I truly enjoyed it❤
I feel nature is so important to us all, I love doing what I can, thank you 😊 ❤️
You are such an educated person on hummingbirds , I could see you working with a company to design and sell your own feeders!
i JUST FOUND a hummingbird nest in a small bush in my back yard. I looked up and there was a nest and two chicks crying for mom. The mother looked so skinny when she came that I went straight to You Tube to see what I could find, and I found this channel. I have the aluminum frame of a large yard umbrella that I thought would be cool to attach 4 feeders on each arm and mount it up high away from any cats. I have four felines that would love two play with birdy~friend. I would have to fashion it so it would be easy to refill feeders... this just got me thinking summer project, thanks for the ideas, I am a new subber. LOL
I really appreciate you going over each one. I never knew about the ant/water or the bee guard. I have seen bees in my feeders. Here in Tucson, we have a lot of hummingbirds too.
I love your excitement, it comes across in your videos, have a wonderful day and G’day to you both!
agreed sweet lady giving sweetwater
Nice!
THANK YOU ROBBIE, FOR EXPLAINING ABOUT HUMMINBIRD FEEDERS
Tip to clean difficult humming bird feeders, use a dental floss water jet!!
It works for cleaning in tiny spaces, you might want to do this in the shower to keep from making a mess all over your kitchen.
Bob B Great tip! Thanks!
I also use the dental floss brush that has brush on one side and gum massager in other end. That brush side is sturdy.
Excellent tip!
Pipe cleaners
@@justicegusting2476 That's what I use.
My favorite feeder is the one that is suction cupped to my window , they love it too.. And if it needs refilled they will fly looking in my window , like , hey lady I need a refill!! Lol
If you will use Vicks Vaporub all around the flowers, you will NOT have any problems with flying, or walking insects on your feeders, EVER! They can also use the Vicks to repell Mites in their fethers I have seen them preening their fethers using the Vicks. (fyi) Also, if you will use distilled water to mix your nectar with , and place the feeders in the noon, to afternoon shade, that's even more success.
My hummers and cardinals will come to my window if they are out of food!!
My Hummers don’t go to the window feeders
I would like that at my kitchen window!!
@@nerdygirl857 Now I have her on another window, where my computer is, funny bird, thanks, Robbie
Love the hummingbird scene I think they are God’s wonderful special creatures...myself I prefer the glass jar and the bee guards as we had lots of problems with them...but the glass works perfect..new subscriber thank you for your inspiring videos!
Perfect, and I so agree, they are wonderful amazing creatures, thank you!
FYI.... I happened to be in Harbor Freight the other day in need of some paintbrushes when I saw a package of five different sized brushes on a ring that were meant to clean airbrush equipment orifices. They looked like miniature bottle brushes. I bought a package, not knowing why but it seemed like the thing to do. Now I know why it seemed so important. Those brushes will be perfect for cleaning Hummingbird feeders.
I find packages of new mascara brushes on Ebay, they also perfect sized for those little holes and nooks and crannies of feeders
Good info.
Really appreciate the tip! T.Y.
Thank you, Sweetie! This was a really comprehensive guide for choosing a hummingbird feeder. I’m so glad I watched this! I would not have taken many points you mentioned into consideration! I really appreciate the time you took to make this video and upload it. Now I’m armed with all the info I need to make a smart choice! Thank you so much and much love to you!
Thank you for this helpful overview of Hummingbird feeders! I just bought one similar to the one you talk about at 7 minutes in except the flowers are bigger and raised up more. I discovered while I was cleaning it that the flowers actually completely detach and snap back in when you’re done cleaning them.
Robbie I know this video is a little older I have found the feeders that I like. They have wide mouths and I love them because they are easy to clean. I love the glass and always have. Here in Oklahoma we have a lot of wind and the glass is heavier and don't move around.
The most important thing is always what works best for you, that sounds perfect! Take care
I don't personally care for the ones without perches for the birds because I believe they are just expending energy hovering there to get the nectar. Just a personal preference, I like to give them a place to perch while they sip.
they don't have perches when drinking actual nectar
I agree
I personally like the feeders w- perches best, too. Give them a rest for a few seconds- give us a chance to admire their beauty & Maybe snap a great picture. 😍
I agree especially in bad weather. When it’s chilly and pouring raining I’ve seen them perch and feed steadily for several minutes looking kind of worn out. They do conserve energy in that case when they really need it most.
I find most of mine are hovering, because they like to get territorial and the fly around hitting each other! The long I have been feeding them, the more the dynamics change last year I have some that were perfectly fine to share. I thought maybe they were related. Idk tho.
I really enjoy your videos. My husband and I love watching our hummers . Everyday I fill four feeders and sometimes I have to rush to do it because they are almost dry.. I have the same ones you also prefer. We now have a pair of Oreos. WOW was I pleasantly surprised when you put your yorkies on the video because my little Summer is also a yorkie! Please keep producing your videos.
I bought that double-decker one last month and it works great. I only had about 4 or 5 hummingbirds last year and this year there are about a dozen or so I'm seeing. Just found your channel and really like your enthusiasm and style. Cheers.
SO COOL! Thanks for sharing
Hello Robbie, thank you so much for explaining these feeders and giving information on where to hang , how many to hang , which ones to buy for ant mode and bee problems . I will change mine out. This is terrific info. I just love you so much , I follow you all the time. Thank you for teaching me a lot that I didn't know before. I make my own nectar, don't use any food coloring as this is poisonous to our beautiful birds. I just love your beautiful garden as well!!!
The 'average one' at 5:34 has plastic mesh-looking balls in each 'flower'. I have one of those feeders and it comes completely apart. To clean those mesh-looking balls I pull them out of the flower, they flip open, they're hinged in the center unless they've changed the design. The flowers pull off, too, just be sure to point them upward when reassembling. I take the whole thing apart and clean it with a brush in soapy water.
My university extension service says not to use soap, only bleach. That means no dishwasher. It's difficult to thoroughly rinse some parts of these feeders. Traces of detergent can get in the nectar and harm the birds.
Omg, I’m such a blonde senior lol In all my years I never knew about the ant moat & I do have an ant problem & actually have a couple that have the ant moat, but I thought it was such a decoration. I’m such a ding dong I’ve always have had hummingbird feeders & I do have several of the different kinds you showed Ty you so much for all the info. 💐😄
I must be the same. I never knew these feeders had bee guards and ant moats! And I’ve fed hummingbirds for years and had 🐝 and 🐜...thx Robbie.
You’re not alone; although I’ve never needed it, I didn’t know it had a specific designation either!!!😁😁😜
Haha❣️
i had no idea that the flowers had bee protection. i am excited to learn more about them...I like you and think you explain it great,
Glad it was helpful! This is better ❤️Hummingbird Feeder Tips-BE AWARE of Issues Before YOU Buy, EASY Clean, Bees Ants & DIY Recipe Nectar
ruclips.net/video/Pkxb0EWhpBY/видео.html
Thank you so much for going over each one. I just bought mine with the right decision. Thanks to you.
I agree that the first one is the best and cheapest. I really like how the base splits in two for cleaning.
Responsibility of feeders thanks for recognizing that bacteria could be a threat and hurt the birds.
The first one for 3.67 is one I have. They love it. I have others and some are difficult to clean. Love your videos.
Hi Robbie...love your videos...very informative! I have the double-decker Hummingbird feeder and mine can actually be used as two feeders...they come apart! I have one hanging from my evergreen tree and put the other on the deck railing. So far I have had only one little Hummingbird feast at the feeder hanging under the evergreen tree. I have three feeders and want to buy a few more when I know more Hummingbirds are coming. My sister-in-law had a mother Hummingbird make a nest under the eve of her picture window...the babies were so adorable!! Take care and stay safe!
You are a very nice lady and I enjoy your enthusiasm!
Thank You for all you do for our Planet and our tiny Remarkable Hummingbirds 💗 You are Amazing!
I was gonna buy a couple feeders for my mom and aunt. Thanks now I’ll make an informed decision.
I never realized there is so much thought in buying a feeder. Thank you Robbie😁
Robbie I never knew what a Moat was. Also, my very first hummingbird feeder is the one next to the one you made a video at the end. I never knew I could open or how to open it to clean it inside. Didn't even realize it could have gotten mold. One time I was cleaning it out and shaking it really hard to get water out of the little holes and noticed some black stuff coming out of the tiny holes so I used a toothpick to go into each hole to clean it.
Thank you thank you I will be cleaning it much better the next time. The hummingbirds have been feeding from it. I will be buying another of the same feeder. I love the seats for the birds and NOW I know how to deep clean it from you showing me!!
Thank you.
Love your videos. A lot of work but you explain the process, so Interesting and helpful. Thank you
Thank you for your excellent information!!! I purchased the cheaper Walmart feeder....make the holes bigger with a drill and glued a red silk flower on the top. We had a little beauty claim it all to himself. He's so adorable...looks like he has a little tuxedo on.
The red one with the white flowers is the favorite of the birds at my house in south Texas. Thanks for the tip on the ant moat! I had no idea.
Robbie!! Love, love, absolutely LOVE listening to your creative ideas on gardening. Mostly am interested in the hummingbirds feeder ideas!! You may have shared this idea that I've not seen but in the issue of ant moat I've always used vaseline in the moat. Of course, replacing as needed. Adding a thick coat to the hanger works great too. Wish we were neighbors so I could enjoy loads of your fun and exciting ideas but RUclips is next best thing! Keep sharing!
I did not realize how much information I was lacking when it came to hummingbird feeders. Thank you for sharing and enlightening us! Now that I’m more informed I’ve got to go buy another feeder. 😊
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of hummingbird feeders! Very helpful!!🤗❤🌻
W😳W!! I never knew! I’ve secretly wanted a Hummingbird feeder🙋🏾♀️ Now I’m definitely going to purchase one! Thanks so much!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I so love all the information She gives. I went from having one come and go to 15. My humming birds tend to be picky. They like to look at the water in the container. They wont drink red liquid or out of any red glass. They also prefer the recipe she shares of sugar and water. Make sure the opening isn't a tiny slit like she said. Keep container clean, wash them often especially during hot weather. Mold can kill them. Watch her videos, you will learn a lot. Oh, you can also buy ant cups or ant moats to hang with your feeder to keep ants out. Ants can grab the tongue of the bird and not release.
I use that $8 pennington feeder with the white holes, had it for 3 years and the birds love it and the ant moat is deep enough, bought two more to hang... It cleans fine.
I have the one without the bottle and I love it. I also have that blue one on the top shelf ❤ love them both
Those are my favorite too!because it allows the birds to rest and sit, and you can watch them ,I’ve been feeding them for 26 years now,..I get a lot , not as much as you, I’m up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and yes it’s good to put them all around the west side the south and east side of the house, and I had to laugh I have one of my feeders right outside my kitchen window like you, I watch them while I do dishes
You are adorable. Watching my second video of yours. I love your channel. I love hummingbirds so I’ll follow your instructions. Thank you.
I have had the $8.94 Pennington glass with the small flat flowers at the base for 5 years. It's super easy to clean by soaking and using a toothbrush in the grooves, and a toothpick thru the feed tubes. Never had an issue with bees or ants. Bats are an issue with my neighbors who say they drain their feeders but they don't bother mine. I make my own nectar too, 3 filtered water to 1 part sugar. I heat on stove on the lowest heat a few minutes just to dissolve the sugar then store it in the fridge. I don't completely fill the feeder because of having to replace nectar often in a sonoran desert heat! Thanks for the review, so glad I found your channel. Great ideas and tips.
Wow, that was a fascinating 29 minutes!! I feel like a dummy standing in front of all the birdfeeders not having a clue what is actually best for the birds.
You are adorable and enthusiastic!! I just love your videos!!!
I was at Home Depot Bakersfield today. Bought supplies to make a dog ramp for house. Lady saw it and asked if I were building a garden. Her mom was on the phone and wanted to build a garden. So I said wait a second and looked up your U Tube channel and told her about your Chair Garden. They were very excited to try it.
Hung my feeder for the hummers within 10 min's they were here eating seen at least 6 diff hummers thank you for all the videos that you and Gary do Blessing to you both
What do u do when it rains? I had my husband drill a hole in a plastic bowl and I turned the bowl upside down over the feeder. I used a rubber stopper to hold the bowl up off of feeder.
Great Idea!🥰
My birds love the cheap feeders that you showed at Walmart. Made in USA bonus. Bottom line is you don't have to spend a ton of money to make your hummingbirds happy
I’m trying to watch all your videos to catch up the hummingbirds feeders, I went to dollar and I was side truck and forgot to pick up some 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I will go back later cuz I’m going to get my brother in law from the heart hospital here, 🙏🏻♥️ Robbie and Gary u are God sent for our beautiful natures. God bless you and ur family, love your videos ♥️👍👩🌾
I'm in Tennessee and just discovered your channel and have been doing something that's kind of the same as you for a few years! Not even close to the same numbers of hummingbirds though : ) WOW!! I know you and I could talk forever if we ever met. Thank you for posting your videos :)
Thanks Robbie. YOU'RE THE BEST!!!
Thank you for sharing this video, I love your energy and enthusiasm. I look forward to seeing more of your videos. I plan on making my own and now I have a lot of ideas. Thanks again.
My first feeder was the Perky Pet feeder (6:40) but it was such a pain to clean and fill. There's a design flaw that you fill the container, screw on the feeder opening and then turn it right side up. The nectar spills everywhere. I also had finches and yellow jackets drinking from it regularly. I now have 2 Aspects Hummzinger HighView Hummingbird Feeder, the 4 oz. and 8 oz. So easy to clean and fill. The 8 oz. comes with a built in moat. You can also see the birds from any angle as there's no bottle to hide them. As for nectar, I prefer to use homemade nectar, only. Dissolve 1 part white granulated sugar into 4 parts water. NO DYE!! For example 2 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar. Remember to clean your feeders at least once a week, especially in the summer. Your hummers will love you for it. Enjoy them!
Instead of discarding feeders without ant moats you can put your own ant moat on. Take the top cup/cap from a spray paint can, hairspray can, cooking spray, etc. and use it as an ant moat. Rig it up however you need to, I added fishing line for hanging, ran it through a tiny hole I melted through the cap, hot glued around it. No more ant problem.
I use food grade Diatomaceous earth instead of water, which only needs to be replaced if it gets wet!
I have the blue glass feeder and my humming birds love it
Great thanks
I love watching the birds, I also have a few feeders, I cook my water and add sugar, they did not care for bought ready made mixture. Have a wonderful day, thank you for sharing.👍👍
Clean feeders with dental cleaner then rinse. I read this awhile back, and it works well then brush with bottle brush and straw brush. Here on the coast of Oregon, I have year around hummingbirds. The dental cleaner is $3-4 at Walmart for a box of 40. I turned the feeders upside down, filled with water while sitting in water and dropped dental cleaner in feeders and water around feeders. Cleaned 5 feeders and used 8 cleaners. Worked well.
Do you mean denture cleaner?
That's what it sounds like to me.
No they mean the little brushes that clean between your teeth - some are made of rubber - some nylon brushes - interdental cleaners - brand names - proxabrush & soft picks - ask yr dental hygienist- can find at most dollar stores 😊
I have been feeding birds and hummingbirds about 4 years now the birds are so smart they let me know when the food have ran out
Hi…I know it is an older video but just wanted to add a comment. I bought my first feeder a few years back (at Walmart also) it is the one at the end of your video on the lower shelf. Not sure if still available for other viewers…..I like this one because it has a metal(top) & plastic base that opens and separates into two pieces (with a rubber type gasket between) when the glass jar(small mason jar) is unscrewed from the base and is easy to clean(I do weekly). I also use a toothbrush sometimes on the ‘flowers’ if they looked dirty. I have been fortunate to have never had a problem with ants or bees(knock of wood!). Looking to make one of the solar powered water fountains, so doing my homework. Good Luck everyone!
Two years ago I had two hummingbirds arrive. Last year none came. I was so sad. This year I had 4 arrive! Love your videos! ❤️🙏🏻
Put lots of red in your yard - that really attracts them.
I prefer the first one-I drill holes in the slots my hummers love it. Plus this brand lasts for 3-4 years
I agree with you 😊 thanks ❤️
Thank you for making this video and sharing your experiences and wisdom with us.
Appreciate this video VERY much! I have not had a bee problem until this year. My family bought me the lovely blue glass feeder in your video. It's lovely ....but ... it is a bee magnetic 🧲 🐝🐝🐝🐝 I have moved it for now to a more remote area of the yard. My remaining feeders are the cheaper plastic types. I use ant moats with them ...they work great! Thank you again for the video. I now know what to look for.
I never knew you needed to know so much about a hummingbird bird feeder I've been looking at him for years I really don't pay attention to know if they're really in my area but I think they're beautiful looking and now I feel confident that I would pick the right one thank you so much❤😊👍🌱
Robbie I was at home depot and I got the one that looks like bugles where u couldn’t find a hanger . The top comes off and the hanger is taped underneath. It wasn’t what I wanted but it’s all they had. It will work. I haven’t seen any hummingbirds here in our apt yet. So this is find for now. I bought it and came back to re watch your video to see if it was a good one. Bee guard , ant moat, easy to clean. Also I’m from Southern California. Ty for your video
I have two of the glass one with the 2x on it, it is so easy to keep clean, I added a extra ant moat. The second one with the big yellow grate bee guard, the bees still get all into it. The Oreoles must have loosened the guards. Love your tips! Thank you.
the perky pet w/the bee guards at 6 minutes in does have a hanger. It's taped under the ant moat.
I've found out that that one does leak on me so I went back and got the little cheapy ones that you said worked well & now they are starting to come more often & they don't leak. Give the $3.67 feeders a try. SUPER easy to clean too!
Thanks for all the info!!! The Perky Pet one leaks with slightest movement/swaying. Many others have had the same problem with that design. Cannot use it on a windy day. Finally took it down and bought the cheap one from Walmart. Hopefully the hummingbirds will adapt quickly to the change.
Elizabeth - Yup, it leaks like crazy. I’m going to retire mine since I only have two hummers, and go see if I can get myself a couple of those cheap Walmart ones so they stop fighting over the one. *fingers crossed *
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insight on the hummingbird feeders . I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I love learning more and more every time I watch you!
✨💛✨
You are amazing ! You need to invent the perfect feeder!
I love humming birds and I love your channel and your enthusiasm ❤️
Yesss !! Miss Robbie, They are here too, l live in Fallbrook, in San Diego County.
I was able to identify it by his call at frist, then I look and there he was on a Mexican palm, l ' m so excited.
SO glad they are there, take car, Robbie
My wife and I have maintained 30+ feeders for years. We have tried most brands of feeders. Ultimately, we decided First Nature feeders with 1 qt jars and slot holes are the best for our Ruby Throats. Made in the USA, inexpensive, light weight, easiest of all to clean, integral ant moat, and they last for years. Very well designed feeders!
I had my first hummingbird this year. I am a work in progress. I learned about an ant moat because of ants early on. I found one at Lowe's for only 3.97. You are so insightful on the different types. I currently have wasps that hang around the nectar. I know I need to get a different feed that has a bee guard on it. Thank you for all the feeder info.
You and Gary are doing a great job. Feeding in Texas.
This is so informative. I just started feeding our hummers a few months ago. I have the beautiful purple diamond glass one, and I get a steady stream of them, but they don't swarm to it like yours do. I bought a second one that is smaller, and clear glass, but they aren't nearly as interested in that one as they are in the purple one. They are about 6-8 feet apart, and I'm thinking that I either need to buy a third one to put in between, or just put them closer together. I never get more than one at a time, and sometimes when one is feeding, another will dive bomb it, and they both fly away. I bought a large bottle of clear nectar, and now that I've used it up, I used your method to make my own food, and they love it just as much. I'm looking for any tips to attract more.
I just bought the purple glass one and cannot for the life of me figure out how to take the base apart for cleaning? No instructions came with it except to say "sealed base comes apart for easy cleaning" The glass easily unscrews from the base, but the base seems impossible to take apart! Please help!
The hook for the first glass feeder has hook under the top piece . Which is supposed to be an ant mote. Thank you for all your knowledge. I too love the wee birds. We are in Canada on the East coast. See you soon . Enjoy your life
I love all your videos. Thank you.
I do have a great way to keep ant off the feeders. Rub Vaseline on the hanger part and the very top op the bottle or any part ants can walk onto it. I’ve been using this method for three years now and the ants have never got to the feeding cups. Before I used the Vaseline my feeders would be covered in ants. The trail to them was terrible. Not one ant with the Vaseline. I’ve also just made a circle ring on the eve around the hook. It works also. Hope you like how easy this is 👍💖
No Vaseline, oils, grease, gels, etc. It kills birds.
Very interesting and thanks for posting. I am an avid humming bird lover up in Western WA and we have mostly Anna's and they stay here year around. I don't have near as many as you, I'd say about 10 or so, that frequent my feeders all year long. One of my challenges has been to keep the feeders from freezing during winter. We usually have about 2 or 3 weeks in winter where feeders are in danger of freezing and it has been a source of real concern and worry for me. I finally have a really good system to keep them from freezing. Also I have tried feeders with perches and those without and in my experience the hummers tend to prefer the ones without perches. They will use both but placed side by side they usually choose the one without a perch. I think they are just made that way, like how they go from flower to flower without perching on anything, it is in their nature. I have several feeders and believe it or not they love the one with no bee guard the most. However I am going to retire it because we get hornets competing with the birds for nectar and I don't like it and I don't think the hummers care for them either. I got a new feeder a few days ago and it is so nice, has perches, bee guard and ant guard and glass reservoir. I always use 1 scoop of red nectar mix along with the sugar to give them a mixture they love. The red color (just a bit of it) seems to make them happy. Anyway, I enjoyed your video a lot and appreciate the info.👍👍
Wow, Thank you so much Robbie , I wanted to learn before I got a feeder, your video taught me everything & more 🌻
I have the one with the white fireworks looking things. I actually removed them because some of my hummingbirds couldn’t get to the holes and they were so small with the bee guard. They love it. They can sit on the little perch too, but not too comfortably.
thank you the review, I use the cheepest one , have an ant [roblem and add a spray can top for an ant moat.
One of the things I always do when cleaning them is to take the garden hose and fire it into the basin so water shoots out the feeder holes. It's messy, but lets me know which holes may be clogged and need more attention.
I honestly don't mind the bees; but I do hate the yellow jackets. They're a much bigger problem for me (Central Texas).
The first one I adjusted the slots per your instructions and both my birds and I love it. The 2nd one, the bees actually crawled under the green leaf and got super fat on my nectar and they emptied full feeders so fast I couldn't believe it. Poor Hummers had a hard time. I spent days walking away holding a feeder in each hand and my Hummers drank from those. Finally the bees disappeared.
With the bees, they do have their moments, usually when their supply in short, they seek out the feeders, then they go away, Glad I could help, thanks so much, Robbie
I had the feeder that was (I think the 5th one she showed) $8.97.
That was glass with the 4 red plastic flowers, the yellow cage looking bee guards, and the perch for them to sit. I am deathly allergic to bees so I don’t want them right near me when I am sitting watching the hummingbirds. Because this bottle has a small opening, making it more difficult to clean inside, I replaced it with another one, also by perky pet, that is bigger with five feeding portals and the glass bottle is a bit bigger with a big opening at the bottom making it very easy to clean with a big bottle brush. The red flowers come off and the yellow bee guards open up and I use a toothbrush with soap to clean them well and I use Q-tips to clean inside the little ports that the flowers fit onto. I actually have two of these feeders because I like it so much. It has a good perch at each port.
I haven’t seen any bees, or ants. It has a pretty good ant moat.
It has a little hook that’s taped inside the red top where the ant moat is but you have to make sure you open it up before you buy it because one of mine didn’t have it so I bought a separate hook for it.
I agree, I don't like the small neck/base. So hard to clean. I also check the bee guards. Sometimes they're loose in there and come off easily. I'm always afraid it will get stuck on their beaks and they'll fly away and starve if they can't get it off. Great video!
I'm so grateful to have found your presentations. They are so useful to me as I am In LA too. I'm a newbie to this having already experienced one flying steadily around my head. That was a hoot! But now I just got a new glass feeder and 2 little Hummingbird househuts. I still have the original 2 red plastic feeders...but I'm excited and hope I can handle this! Watching you greatly helps. Keep em coming!
I love your videos I have learned so much I didnt know about the bee guard and about the water. and also I have been making my nectar wrong I use 1 cup of sugar to 2 cups of water and I boil it let it cool.❤
A baby bottle brush that also has the nipple brush is great to clean hummingbird feeders and around the flowers (especially if the flowers don't come off).
I have the one at 5:01 and it is lousy with bees. I got the one at 5:40 and bees checked it out but they took off. I did see a few hummingbirds before the bees started coming around but I think the bees were detouring not only the hummingbirds but also the wild birds that I have a bird seed feeder for on the other side of my Shepard’s hook.
Good to know, thanks
My birds love your favorite too. It is so easy to clean. If I saw it for $3 I would buy more. Don’t like heavy fragile glass ones.
Really really fun video. Nice you took the time to inform on each feeder. I had a pretty decorative coke bottle feeder with double layers flowers and one of my birds got his beak caught between the petals! I panicked, it was only for a moment, thank God. Not a good design, pretty but not good. A from Oregon
Thanks Robbie for careing...
I have your first one and I will go buy a second. I love that it easy to clean.
Nothing worse for the little ones than the bacteria from dirty feeders.
Thank you for making this video I love hummingbirds and watch all the videos I can find... Thanks again.
So nice of you, thanks so much, Robbie
I love this video you made! It is soon helpful! I'm getting the one you like the best. All the other ones are too much of a pain to clean.
They love the one with the moat. More importantly, my birds love them