· learn when to take down your hummingbird feeder based on where you live, how to spot late migrators, and the best way to clean and store your feeder for next season. · take down feeders about two weeks after the last hummingbird leaves, typically by early october. Their journey is guided by natural instinct, daylight, and climate – not by whether food is available. · feeders left up too late in fall can promote spread of diseases among hummingbirds still in the area. Leaving feeders longer won’t stop migration—it helps late travelers refuel before heading south. · each year, i remind fellow birders that leaving your hummingbird feeders up will not cause the birds not to migrate. · “ fall can be a good time to see hummingbirds , especially if you live in southern locations,” said greig. · remember, knowing when to put out a hummingbird feeder in the spring or maintain it in the fall is important, but leaving it up late in the season won’t stop migration. As natural flowers diminish, more hummingbirds cluster around remaining feeders. · just be sure to empty, clean, and refill your feeders at least once or twice a week during fall temps to prevent the growth of bacteria and keep those beautiful little hummingbirds healthy. Although they might fight like crazy over the feeder with other hummingbirds , they don’t like it enough to risk the freezing northern winters with no bugs for them to eat. Clean and store feeders for winter, then put them back up in early spring to welcome returning birds. “you also can put up a feeder in case any passing hummers need a drink. ” you should take down your feeder a week or two after you’ve stopped seeing hummingbirds.
