My neighbors gave me as old hummingbird feeder but my solution terns clowdy in a few days, what's wrong?

Question

My old feeder broke and I never had that trouble.

Answer 1

Yuck.  Might need a good cleaning.  One cause might be bacteria or mold in there, that gets going as soon as you give it some food.

Try bleaching it out.  Rinse VERY well, let it sit in the sun, and try again.

If it still happens, I'd toss it in the trash.

Answer 2

Sugar water placed outdoors  will only remain fresh for 2–4 days in hot weather, or 4–6 days in moderate weather, before turning cloudy or developing mold. Maybe your feeder is getting more sun than before or your temperature is warmer than usual?  If the feeder is in a shady spot,  the solution will last longer without spoiling,  than if it's in a sunny area.

Sugar water may develop significant growth of yeasts and other microorganisms before turning cloudy. Maybe the reservoir or ports still had some contamination or sugar build-up. If dish soap was used to clean the feeder,  it always needs extra rinsing so that no residue is left behind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird...

When temperatures climb above 80 degrees, harmful molds and yeast start to form more quickly than when it's cooler...  turning solutions cloudy, or flecks form on the surface or around the edges. You should immediately remove the feeder and clean it thoroughly with a bottlebrush, hot water and vinegar or bleach.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nwgardens/...

Good luck!!!  Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Make sure you totally clean the inside out before adding new nectar, if it's getting full sun that also speeds up the growth of the bacteria that are in it.