Originally Posted by mannem
One wasp got its revenge by hiding in my car and biting me good while I was doing 60mph. I live in the foot hills of the Rockies in Southern Colorado. There are about 20-25 hummers now. Their population doubles in July after they have their chicks. Although the feeder is emptied fast, I use a strong sugar solution of 2 cups of sugar to 4 cups of water, keeps it from fermenting too fast while it's hanging in the sunshine most of the day. Most ppl I talk to use a solution of 1:4.
I use the same mixture for the same reason. We live in a very arid area and the sun is really strong. I have to change the sugar water every 3 days in the middle of summer.
A bottle brush and a few drops of bleach in water, mixed with dish detergent work fine to clean the feeders. I also use a bristle brush to get the little holes they drink through clean. There can be quite a buildup of hummer saliva gets in there and ferments. Just be sure to rinse really well.