Hummingbirds are little, but they sure do eat a lot! The most important thing to remember about your hummingbird feeder is to keep refilling it.
Here are six more tips to keep your new buddies happy, and to entertain yourself endless hours watching them flit in for a sip and zoom right back out again.

1. Keep it clean.
   When you get your new hummingbird feeder kit home, wash every part of it in hot soapy water and rinse well.
   Every time you refill the feeder, rinse it out thoroughly with running water (you can just use the hose).
   Periodically through the season, bring all parts of the feeder in the house and wash in a sink full of hot water with vinegar added (1/8 cup per gallon of hot water).
   Please don't use bleach.
   Rinse completely.
   
2. Make your own hummingbird food.
   Please don't add dyes or flavorings.
   Your buddies need straight, simple carbs.
   You can make it ahead and store in the fridge.
   Mix 1/4 cup sugar per cup of water in a small saucepan.
   Bring to a boil and boil for about 5 minutes.
   Cool completely.
   Please do not add artificial color! The birds are attracted to the red parts of the feeder and don't need red dye coursing through their little bodies.
   
3. Hang your feeder in the right spot.
   It is such a joy to watch the birds flit around and drink little sips.
   Hang the feeder near a window, preferably with a view of your beautiful garden, or near a comfy chair.
   If you have cats, hang the feeder up high.
   The birds don't care how far they are above the ground-just as long as it's easy for you to access.
   
4. Make it easy to raise and lower the feeder.
   Go to the hardware store and ask one of the nice employees to find you a small pulley and a length of cotton rope.
   Commission a neighborhood kid to climb up a ladder and attach the pulley to the eaves or a tall tree branch.
   Feed the rope through the pulley, tie the feeder to one end, and make sure you tie off the other end to something permanent on the ground, where you can reach it.
   Pull the feeder up and lower it down with ease!
5. Hummingbirds are territorial little creatures.
   If you have two males in the vicinity, they will scrap over your feeder.
   Solve the problem by hanging two a few feet apart.
   
6. Finally, after the hummingbirds have left for the season, wash everything in bleach solution (2 tablespoons per gallon of hot water) and allow to dry completely before storing.
   When spring comes? Wash in hot soapy water and begin the cleaning cycle again.
   

That's it! Keep it clean, keep it filled, and keep an eye on the entertainment.
If you're feeling really ambitious, plant a hummingbird flower garden.
Hmmm, maybe that's the subject of a future article.