Why Does My Hummingbird Feeder Leak?
Flowers may attract hummingbirds to your yard, but a hummingbird feeder will keep them coming. A feeder provides constant fresh nectar that is easy for the birds to access. Unfortunately, other unwanted creatures are also attracted to the sweet water. A leaking feeder will bring ants, bees and wasps to the area, creating competition and danger for the hummingbirds. Does this Spark an idea?
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Filling
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Fill the feeder completely to the top. This creates a vacuum that seals the water and prevents drips. Improperly filled feeders will often drip until refilled.
Heat
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Hot feeders are more likely to drip. Feeders kept in direct sunlight may get too hot, causing the seal to expand and leak.
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Dirt and Residue
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Dirty feeders with residue buildup will often leak. Mold can grow in the tube or on the spouts. This can interfere with the seal.
Cracks
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Cracked feeders will not keep a seal. These allow air into the bottle and may be dangerous to the birds. Cracked feeders should be replaced.
Feeding Tube
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Some feeders use a single feeding tube which may be too straight. These tubes can be bent to increase the angle.
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References
- Photo Credit hummingbird at a feeder image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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anyone else with this problem? it doesn't matter what type I purchase they all seem to leak? after reading this I will try to fill the container completely ---maybe that will work-open to any suggestions.
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Bingo! Filling it all the way to the top did the trick. Thanks much!
