What are you putting in the feeder? Maybe that's the problem.

I'm wondering the same thing. I heard that detergents or soaps should not be used but one of my feeders is made from a pretty blue glass inverted bottle with a stopper and feeder port. How do I make sure there is no mold in the feeder? I wish I could soak it in something and know that it's really clean.

I don't use soap, I wipe them out w. paper towel, then rinse w/ boiled water. If i have time, i'll briefly soak the parts in a pot of simmering water. I don't do all this every time, just perhaps every 3rd filling or so.

I use the hummzinger type and also the glass bottle ones that have red and yellow dots and yellow top and bottom from Lowes.

I wash my feeders with soap, water, and a little clorox. Rinse REAL WELL and set aside to dry. I never have a problem with the hummingbirds using them. I have 9-10 feeders hanging. I thought one time the feeders needed to be sterilized but it finally hit me that the first time a hummingbird put his nasty little beak in the feeder all clean was gone. No telling how many little bug parts get left in that water.

If you are really rinsing well-Then it may be something else.
Right now the Hummers have their choice of the very sweetest nectar in what is blooming. Many of their favorite plants are at least a 33% sweet formula or more.
If your birds are taking one sip and leaving--I think you should try a sweeter mix--I would go 2 to 1(2water&1sugar). If they like that then you can go 3to 1 and see if they will keep coming. I never offer less than 3 to 1.

I always use dish soap and hot water to clean my feeders and then rinse well never have a problem with hummers coming back to the feeders. So maybe you do need to sweeten you mix a little. I use 1:3 sugar to water most of the time, sometimes its 1-4. But if you use 1:3 you shouldnt have a problem with them drinking your mix. The 1-4 mix is most likely closer to what they get in flowers. But the sweeter mix would be best untill you get some coming to the feeders regular.

THANKS ALL ; think ill try a sweeter mix;

I never use soap in my feeder I either use 1 part clorox to 10 parts water (approximate measurement) or vinegar and water. Both of these will sterilize the feeder and not leave a residue like soap does. then I rinse for a couple of minutes in cold running water and air dry. I was told that soap can leave a residue that the hummer can taste. As for the nectar itself, I use 3 parts water to 1 part sugar no artificial color whatsoever.

Penny

For bottle feeders I use hot water and brushes , bottle brush and range brush. For base or saucer type feeders that do not not come apart for easy cleaning, If I see mold forming I use a mix of water and vinegar or straight vinegar and let it soak. You can also use a toothbrush to get down into tight places that you cant get otherwise. I mainly use soapy water and a sponge on the outside of the base of feeders to clean any dried nectar around the ports and the entire base. I try not to get soapy water inside but I know I do , just rinse really well and the hummers dont seem to mind.

How often do you change the nectar and wash out your feeder? I just bought my first hummingbird feeder so I'm not quite sure. Should it be done everyday? Thx.

cadence-- I usually change mine every 2-3 days if they dont empty it first.

hummersteve ~ thanks for your help. I just hung it the other day and I was really excited to see my first hummingbird at 8:00am, when I was sitting on my patio having my morning coffee. That's the only one I've seen so far. I have it hanging near at from the corner of the eaves on my dh's workshop. In the shade by the cedar trees. I hope it will be okay there. We do get raccoons around here from time to time. I could hang it from my lilac tree if it shouldn't be hung near the cedars.