Hummingbirds can be surprisingly picky about where they feed. If your feeder is going untouched, several factors could be keeping these tiny visitors away, including placement and cleanliness.

Swipe through to learn more about why hummingbirds might not be visiting.

Out of Season

The simplest explanation for why hummingbirds aren’t visiting your feeder is that there aren’t any around! Almost all species found in the U.S. are migratory, meaning they head south in the fall before returning in spring for breeding season. It's always a good idea to check field guides and online resources to make sure your hummers are in season before setting out a feeder and expecting visitors.

Using the Wrong Recipe

Hummingbirds demand a very particular diet to be happy and healthy, so if you aren’t filling your feeders with the correct nectar recipe, they might not be keen on coming by for a snack. A simple recipe of one part white sugar dissolved in four parts water is the perfect solution to make sure hummingbirds keep coming back for more. It's important not to use unrefined, cane or any other type of sweetener in your feeders, as these contain minerals or properties dangerous to hummingbirds. It's also important to avoid using red dye or changing up the ratio of sugar to water, as these modifications are unnecessary and are only likely to deter visitors.

Ants

Hummingbirds aren't the only animals interested in the irresistibly sweet nectar in your feeder! Unfortunately, many people run into the problem of ants taking over their hummingbird feedersz, which contaminates the nectar and deters the intended feathered friends from visiting. Luckily, solving this problem is usually as simple as installing an ant moat! These small devices hang above your feeder and trap any ants hoping to crawl in and sip on the sweet juice.

Nectar has Gone Bad

Summer is the season you’re most likely to see hummingbirds, but it's also likely to take a toll on nectar feeders. A common reason your resident hummers aren’t visiting as often is that the nectar in your feeder has fermented or spoiled. When it's very warm outside, your feeder should be taken down and cleaned out every 2-3 days, and at least every week when the temperature dips below 60 degrees. You can slow fermentation and growth of bacteria by hanging your feeder in the shade, and also consider storing a batch of nectar in the fridge for up to a week to make frequent refillings easier.

Bad Location

You may have identified several spots in your garden to hang a hummingbird feeder, but some are better than others. To maximize visits from our smallest birds, hang your feeder 3-6 feet off the ground in a shady but open area that isn’t too close to other bird feeders. These guidelines make sure your hummingbirds can easily and safely enjoy a meal. Planting some hummingbird-friendly plants in the surrounding area is also a great way to attract them to the vicinity of your feeder in the first place.

Nectar Availability

Though it might seem obvious, make sure your feeders aren’t empty if the hummingbirds aren't coming around as often! With how often these incredible birds have to eat to survive, it’s amazing how quickly they can drink a feeder dry. In a similar vein, hummingbirds might be less inclined to visit a feeder if they have plenty of native, nectar-providing flowers nearby to drink from instead, which certainly isn’t a bad thing!