I love watching the hummers on the feeders in our back yard. I have two different kinds of feeders one with and one without a perch. Neither one has a "bee guard". I included the Texas Parks and Wildlife Hummingbird Roundup form that we use and it discusses feeders, etc.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publicat...rvey_10_09.pdf
I know you don't live in Texas, but if you are interested the Texas Parks and Wildlife Hummingbird Roundup page is pretting interesting as well. It has some great information.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning...gbird_roundup/
Hummingbird nectar is a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar (white sugar from the store, no honey) and leave out food coloring. It really isn't necessary. The stuff they sell in stores that is supposed to be for hummers isn't really that great for them. Its cheaper to make your own.
I hope this helps you.