Druid Hills HOA Florissant Colorado Official Homeowners Association for Druid Hills
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Druid Hills is loaded this time of year with these humming beauties, and as much as we all love them, there are still some things to consider when you put those feeders out…
Hummingbird feeder nectar is best when it’s homemade. It’s better for the birds as it is fresher and more pure. Store bought nectar can have dyes added to it, among other unnatural contaminants. It is very simple to make hummingbird nectar, here are the basics:
4 cups water to every 1 cup sugar
Use organic cane sugar when possible, try to stay away from white processed sugar…
Bring water to a boil, slowly pour in sugar
Stir until completely dissolved
Remove from heat and let stand until totally cool
Fill feeders, and Enjoy the Show!
You can put feeders out as early as late March, early April to help out those first comers!
One of the very important things to remember is to remove your feeders several hours before dusk, and keep them in a secure location away from the sight/smell of other predators, such as the Colorado black bear. Yes, they are here in the Druid Hills, and although harmless, when residents act responsibly (pick up and secure trash, NEVER FEED them, and never EVER approach them) the likelihood of running into one is reduced. They can smell a hummingbird feeder from miles away, and could eventually end up knocking on your door.
We have to remember that living in a rural area such as Florissant Colorado, we must learn to coexist with these creatures and act responsibly to ensure their safety, as well as our own – and that means always thinking about what might come snooping around in the night!
Ants…they can be a major pain when they sniff out a feeder. They love the free meal, and will eventually start to invade a feeder. You will find their little corpses floating in the nectar, and they can even make it difficult for the birds to enjoy the feeders.
Try placing a glob of Vaseline mixed with a few drops of peppermint essential oil, and place it on the wire or post that your feeder is hanging. Try to place it as far away from the actual feeder itself, remember, these little guys have to trek across something in order to get the feeder. They will either be deterred by the scent of the peppermint or get stuck in the Vaseline. You can also sprinkle some diatomaceous earth around the base of the feeder, which won’t hurt anything but make the ants wish they never tried to cross it.
Looking for some nice feeders to hang? Our local Feed Stores have you covered!
