Keep Your Hummingbird Feeder From Overheating With One Easy Hack

Whenever you get a hummingbird (or several) to visit your feeders, it can feel like a special occassion. Even if they come by a lot, watching them is such an exciting experience, which is why you work so hard to keep their water fresh and their feeder clean. However, some elements can't always be managed, so when it's hot out, your birds may find themselves sipping too-warm nectar. While taking your hanging stations down during balmier hours is certainly one of the most ideal options, as is placing them somewhere out of sunlight, these don't always help keep the feeder cool enough. What if there were a way to protect the nectar during those really high temps so your flying friends could still enjoy a snack? Just by adding a layer of insulation to the exterior of your hanging feeders, you can help make the hummingbird food last throughout the heat. All you need is a thick towel, oven square, or even a piece of clothing to wrap around your hanging station. 

A TikTok showing this solution elicited a variety of comments ranging from how clever it was to asking the purpose of the sleeve. A brief search for a hummingbird insulation sleeve doesn't offer many options from online stores, which means this is more of a DIY. This hack, combined with location and maintenance of the nectar, will have hummingbirds flocking to your feeder.

Once you find a feeder that is best for your feathered friends, you can focus on the insulator. To make your own hummingbird sleeve, you can use a few different materials, including wool and synthetic wool, but there's other options too. In a TikTok video, the user has placed an oven mitt square around the feeder and secured it with a rubber band. Due to the thickness, it's a good option for protecting the glass of the feeder from the sun. Others have towels wrapped around the exterior and even a sock, which can also keep your hummingbird feeder from freezing.

It's still important to keep an eye on the hanging station's temperature. If the area where you live gets above 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the warmer months, you should be changing out the nectar at least every other day anyways. While the hack can help insulate, some places may still be too hot for the nectar to remain in the feeder too long, especially if it's in sunlight. Between the insulation and the fresh food, this should keep the sugar water from fermenting, which can be bad for your hummingbirds. Keep in mind, the sleeve only slows down the heating of the nectar. Other tips for keeping your hummingbirds happy include placing the hanging feeder near shade if it is available, and don't put the feeder too close to windows or in a super exposed area.