As October begins, hummingbirds also begin to migrate from some regions of the USA. But, the timing does vary by region (if you’re curious as to when you should take down your feeder, check out this blog)! Wether the time is now or still a few weeks away, though, we wanted to share a few tips on how to store your hummingbird feeder for winter!
1. Clean and dry your feeder.
You will be so grateful, come Spring, to pull out your feeder and have it clean and ready to go! It is vitally important to clean and thoroughly air-dry your feeder before storing. Properly cleaning and drying your feeder will protect it from molding, and from any insects that might otherwise be attracted to sticky surfaces! Simply rinse and air-dry the frame of the feeder (unless a little scrubbing is needed for sticky spots). For tips on how to best clean bottles, check out this blog!
2. Polish your feeder (optional)
We love the natural patina that our copper feeders acquire over time. However, if that’s not your cup of tea, there are ways to polish the copper! You can read about several methods of polishing on our FAQ page. The more consistently you polish your feeder, the easier it is to maintain. Because of this, we recommend polishing before putting your feeder in storage for several months!
3. Store in a place that is climate-controlled
Copper patinas through a combination of chemical reactions related to heat and moisture. Read more about the fascinating science behind patinas here!
To avoid as much change in color as possible, store your feeder in an air-tight container in a room where temperatures and moisture are regulated. Too warm and humid, and your feeder will patina rapidly. If you leave your feeder in unheated storage, just be aware that extreme cold temperatures can compromise the integrity of the bottle tips and suction cups on your feeder.
Last but not least, make sure to note where you store your feeder, so that it’s easily accessible, come Spring!
