Lanny Chambers wrote:
> In article <6bdu17F3beeiaU1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
> Laurence Sheldon <lfsheldon@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>> I've always thought the "replace every day" dictum was a bit much, but
I
>> took all three down and scrubbed them a while ago, and I must confess
>> that however long it has been it was way too long.
>
> Clean and replace the syrup when it starts turning cloudy. In hot
> weather, that could be every other day. The milkiness is bacteria bloom.
> This is another reason not to use red dye--it makes syrup spoilage
> harder to see.
Yeah, I figured that out yesterday when I realized how cloudy they had
been and how sparkly clean they are now.
Some times I'm not as bright as I would like people to think I am.
> If you stay ahead of it, black mold growth is insignificant. If you do
> see mold in the feeder, a soak in dilute bleach (1/4 cup in a sink of
> hot water) will prevent an early recurrence
I thought about the bleach, but didn't--if I see any next time (lots
this time) I'll do that. This time I opted for really hot soapy soak
and scub, really hot extended running-water rinse, air dry.
> Or, if you're the type who prefers a regular schedule over
> feedback-based hygiene, soak in bleach monthly.
>
> Since most if not all of this mold and bacteria arrives at the feeder on
> hummingbirds' bills, it's not preventable. We just have to deal with it.
That is good to know--I've been worried that I might have hurt them.
Mad at me for the filth I can handle.
> No one says you have to keep all your feeders full, all the time.
> Flowers don't produce nectar that way, they come and go. You might want
> to feed early and late in the day, when flowers have little nectar, and
> let the birds fend for themselves in the middle of the day. They'll soon
> learn the schedule, and they'll do fine.
I divided 8 cups of syrup among the three feeders--if there is much left
when I change it again I'll try 4 cups 3 ways.
My feet hurt too much to go out several times a day.
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