I think it depends on how cold the refrigerator is set for. I expect it can go for a couple weeks before you may visibly see mold forming.

Thank-You so much for the help.

Hummerlover

Jenny, I only generally mix up 6 cups of sugar/water at a time, and use it in about three days, especially during periods of rain. Bringing the sugar and a small amt of water to a boil (pasteurization) and cooling quickly with ice, and then adding the rest of the water seems to help for me.
Blessed, Dan

I know you are talking about in the refrigerator but I had this comment. Mine starts to mold within a few days in the feeder. I just read on the Humzinger website to boil the water and the sugar together and this will help to slow down fermentation. I was just boiling the water in the microwave then adding the sugar and not heating it further. Will try the new way to see if it helps.

Kimpa, No please clean and change your feeeder every few days no matter what. The way your making your solution is just fine. The rule I go by is when its over 75 degrees I change every three days, mid 80's every other day, over 90 everyday. Under 70, wow how I wish once a week. The trick is to make a batch store it in the fridge and don't fill your feeders just put enough so the hummers can get some. Mold is not part of the fermation and can be very bad for the birds, fermation is different and can be deadly as well. Usually I don't get fermentation for four or five days but mold every other, hence the constant cleaning.

I appreciate all the help. I was just wondering when I need to
toss the refigerator stuff?I know mine has been a couple
weeks the nectar inside the refrigerator. I have ben making the 4/1 and bringing to a boil. I have seen so many different
ways to make this.Its also a litttle costly when I dont get tons of visitors compared to others . I have been changing
the nectar every 2 days because Ive had 95+ weather. I
have`nt seen any mold growing in the feeder. I`m looking forward to anyone`s suggestions .

thank-you
hummerlover

It is best to boil the water first and then add the sugar to the water. If you boil the water and sugar together there can be at least a 2/3 cup different in the actual ratio of sugar to water possibly more. Once the sugar has been added and stirred to dissolve, you should put it in the refrigerator right away until it is ready to use. Once it has cooled to room temp, you can safely fill your feeders. I make just enough to fill the 7 feeders I am currently using so storing it isn't necessary.

Penny

Penny,
Gee! 7feeders! I only have one .I dont have have alot of hummers so please send some my way.I will try this way in a few days . I`m trying to still figure out how many hummers are visiting. Iappreciate the way to make the sugar.
Thank you
hummerlover

I think what attracts hummers is clean feeders, fresh nectar and some plants that they like.
Crocosmia, Porterweed and Shrimp Plant are popular at my place.
Later in the season you'll see more birds as they hatch off.

My method is to have four feeders, rotating two and two.
Two are filled and hanging, two are clean and ready to fill.

I put half a cup of sugar in two cups of water, bring to a boil.
I set a timer for four minutes when I turn on the heat so I don't forget and let it boil away, and I cover the pan.
Let cool and put one cup in each of two feeders.

I rinse the feeders when I take them down and if there's mold beginning, I scrub it away with a brush.
Periodically, I give all four a bleach water treatment, scrubbing and rinsing, rinsing, rinsing and allowing to dry before they're used again.

If the weather's hot, every other day is not too often to change the 'bird water.'
I've noticed they watch for 'fresh stuff.'

Nell

The OP was asking how long a batch of sugar/water lasts in the refrigerator, not outside. The way I do it is make up enough for a feeder change and change every couple days, so mine is not staying in the fridge that long. One would need to experiment a bit depending on the refrigerator temperature, etc., as you would better know how long it takes for mold to form on your everyday food kept in there (even with them containing preservatives).

I make my sugar water (boiling water and sugar). I let it cool and put it into a ice cube tray. Freeze and put into a plastic bag. Will last all season this way. I know exactly how many cubes it takes to fill each feeder.
I have placed a small medicine cup under the holes of my feeder. I have glued this in place. Takes much less sugar water to fill than to try and fill all that space.
Connie

I appreciate all the help, I think I will make the sugar
water in smaller amounts. I have been changing the nectar every day so ,that I dont lose any visitors. The hummers are very important to me.

Thank You
Hummerlover

We have a home in Wisconsin as well as Austin Texas. We have many hummingbirds fighting over the feeders so I have a few spread out so less fighting at each. In Wisconsin the other animals often drain the feeder at night so I never worried about how often to change liquid. I have been cleaning my Austin feeders once a week & no mold has developed. Birds are crazy here! Plain looking unlike Wisconsin where we get so many different colored ones. They are so FUN to watch though❤️