Garden

[sabatini]

Hi @butteflylover.

You didn't mention what part of the country you're from, but I'm in Arizona, so just like @tucsongal , we have hummingbirds year 'round.

I use 2 types of feeders; the saucer type, as well as the cheapo red plastic upside down bottle feeders - minus their yellow bee guards.

I use the latter for the bigger birds, as they LOVE nectar too. House finches, orioles and woodpeckers are able to sip from them.

Good luck, and welcome to the boards!

[depglass]

We just use the cheapo plastic cylinder ones that have foot rests on the bottom and fake flowers they sip from.  We keep two going at once so they aren't without food when one runs out.  That syrup ratio seems pretty standard, 4 to 1 with no food coloring.  Go bigger rather than smaller.  For a couple weeks you won't see many birds, then you will be swamped.    

[esmerelda]

@butteflylover I haven't read all of the replies. 

I have found the fancier the feeder (e.g., decorated glass ones), the less it is used. 

I keep ants from mine by putting vaseline on the hook it hangs from. 

[qvcfreak]

Thanks for the tip @esmerelda