Hummingbirds Will Flock To Your Yard For This Cool & Refreshing Feature
It may be obvious that planting certain flowers will attract hummingbirds to your garden, but if you haven't considered adding a mister to your outdoor setup, it may be a reason why hummingbirds are steering clear of your yard. Water sources in the yard provide a way for hummingbirds to hydrate, clean off their feathers, and stay cool in warm weather. Misters, especially, are a superb attractant for hummingbirds because the gentle spray is a readily available source of water that the birds can enjoy while in flight.
The birds can zip through the mist quickly to clean off any residual nectar from a day of trekking from flower to flower. Plus, the water droplets produced by the mist are small enough for the birds to drink up without stopping. You'll just want to make sure you pick the right type of mister and examine how it compares to other water features like a water fountain, for example.
How to select the right mister and set it up in your garden
Although plenty of misters appear to be the same, there are a few tips you should know in order to choose the right option for bringing more hummingbirds to your yard. First, choose a mister that has an adjustable water nozzle so you can control how much water it releases. You can choose from impeller or impingement nozzles. Impeller are those that are most commonly used in residential and commercial misters. While they won't produce as fine of a mist as impingement nozzles, impeller nozzles still produce atomized water droplets, perfect for hummingbird drinking. Impeller nozzles are also less expensive than impingement and easier to maintain.
Consider getting a cleanable nozzle over a traditional style so you can easily remove debris and build up from the nozzle's body — a capability that traditional nozzles don't allow. Cleaning the nozzle helps maintain its performance and extend the life span of your mister. Look for a mister with tubing that is 50 to 60 feet long so you can wrap the hose around trees or patio columns. Once you have made your selection, it's a good practice to place it in the shade so it doesn't overheat and near flowers or feeders to combine the attractive qualities of a nectar and water source, which will increase your chances of a hummingbird visit in your yard.
Why choose a mister over other water features?
With other water features available for your yard, you may be wondering what exactly makes a mister a better choice for hummingbirds compared to other water attractions. For starters, hummingbirds like to bathe often, but they do have some physical attributes that make grooming a challenge, which a mister can solve. Hummingbirds have small legs and feet that are also weak so they can't use a typical bird bath, unless it's very shallow. In fact, they rarely visit the average bird bath.
Meanwhile, the mister allows them to bathe while in flight so their miniature lower body is not an issue. Additionally, the fine blanket of mist provided by a mister evaporates quickly so it effectively cleanses the birds without drenching them in water, like a fountain might. Rest assured that throwing a water mister into the mix of your yard is one of the best tips and tricks to attract more hummingbirds to your garden.