The Best Method For Cleaning A Mason Jar Hummingbird Feeder

Mason jar hummingbird feeders are not only impossibly easy to make and adorable in your garden but are also simple to maintain. The importance of cleaning your hummingbird feeders cannot be overstated because mold, bacteria, and fermentation can have devastating effects on these wondrous creatures. The best way to clean a mason jar hummingbird feeder is to dump any old nectar, take it apart completely, and rinse the pieces to remove any stickiness left by the sugar. 

Next, prepare a weak solution to clean the jars — one part distilled white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to two parts warm water. While it may be tempting to use soap and water, the National Audubon Society cautions against it, stating the soap could leave behind a residue that could harm your hummer friends. Soak the pieces in your prepared cleaning solution for an hour or two to loosen any stubborn substances. Then, clean each section with a bottle brush or straw cleaner to reach every corner and help ensure the feeder is spick and span. Once you've soaked and scrubbed the feeder, rinse it several times and let it dry entirely before putting it back together and refilling.

There are a few ways to attract hummingbirds to your DIY mason jar feeder or one you picked up from the store. As we discussed, you want to offer your hummingbird visitors a clean feeder. At the very least, you want to wash your mason jar and other feeder parts every few days. However, in the summer, you may need to increase that schedule to every single day or every other day. Even at that pace, you still want to keep a sharp eye on your feeder and the surrounding area outside. If you notice anything growing in or on it, find a sick bird nearby, or discover insects have invaded, immediately remove the feeder and give it a thorough cleaning.

Another way to attract hummingbirds to your garden and your mason jar feeder is by hanging one or several near other flowers that hummers love, like zinnias and foxgloves. While they're drinking from your garden plants, they'll notice the mason jars filled with delicious nectar and likely return for more. Hummingbirds are great pollinators, so while you're providing them with fresh nutrients, they'll return the love by improving your landscape.