Something that has always bothered me about feeding hummingbirds is keeping the feeder clean. This year I discovered 4 essentials that worked:
- Buying an easy to clean glass feeder with a wide mouth (and an ant guard.)
- Changing fresh nectar out 2x a week.
- Rinsing and cleaning the feeder at each change. This year I used an interdental brush for the small floret holes and a child’s toothbrush for the larger areas. Worked like a charm! I used a bottle brush for the glass container.
- Keeping my feeder in the shade.
First year ever to not lose the battle with the black mold that accumulates and it only took minutes to do using the dental brush at each nectar change. I like to think the hummers appreciated it.
If you have any other suggestions for cleaning, please share!
a vacation in my mind 
Excellent article on how to maintain a hummingbird feeder! I’ve noticed that not only is this good for the hummingbirds, they come around more when the feeder is nice. I also loved the photos, especially the “how to” ones for cleaning the feeder.
Buying a wide mouth feeder is definitely a good idea. My current one is so difficult to wash… Thanks much for sharing…