Never have seen this before just wondering if this has happened to you? I hung the plastic hummie feeders out and they melted in the sun I kid you not absolutly melted. have any of you had this problem? moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
Donna, Never! Last summer we had 90 days of over 100 degree heat, and the plastic didn't melt. I'd contact the manufacturer, or if they are relatively new, take them back to the store. I can send you a list of hummingbird-attracting plants, most of which are adapted to your area. Since the sugar water ferments so quickly in our heat, I try to have something available that won't give our hummers a "buzz"!
Why Donna's feeder melted. Three hummers were sitting in a bar discussing where the best flowers were and one said, "I know where there is a 'juice factory'." One of the other two turned to him and said,"Did you know that Harry the Torch is in town". "If he finds out there is a juice factory, you can beak it good-by." They finished their nectar drinks in silence knowing that Harry, a flower purest, did not like 'Juice Factories' in his neighborhood. It was dusk and several hummers that should have been sitting in their roosts, were on a branch with nets and a bottle. "There's one!" A hummer went after the firefly with such precision the fly could only blink once before it found itself in the jar. 'There's another!' soon the jar lit up the area around the branch. The tough bird shook the jar "Shut up in there" demanded the hummer as the others looked for Harry the Torch, ' No lighting up unless we tell you'. The fireflies agreed and huddled in the darkness. "There he is," as Harry flew in and landed on the branch. In the darkness another shadowy figure landed behind Harry, the branch bent under the weight of the new arrival. 'Who's with you Harry?' 'Never mind, you keep the flies in order.' 'Did you put the shiny stuff in the jar?' Harry asked. 'Ya Harry, the foil is on one side of the jar' 'O.K.,' Harry said, 'Light the jar so we can see the juice factory in the darkness'. The group flew off in the direction of the feeder, the fireflies lighting the way. Soon they arrived at the juice factory. In the light of the firefly lamp the shadowy figure could be seen, a very small dragon flew in circles around the feeder. 'O.K. Drago'.......'Light it up'......With one breath the dragon illuminated the night. The feeder exploded in flames. 'Lets get out of here!!' Harry cried. The group scattered into the night, one of the hummers glanced back to see the feeder melting in the heat of the flames. Jerry
My sister had a picture on her phone the other day that someone took down in Texas somewhere and it was of a plastic mail box and post (Rubbermaid or step 2 type variety)....I think the person didn't follow the instructions to put a 4x4 post in the ground first and slide the plastic post over the wooden post...the post had warped from the heat and the box was on the ground. It was a funny picture. Some plastics are not designed for excessive heat, but I would think you hummer feeder shouldn't have done that, either.
I'll bet quality control in a factory across the ocean has used the wrong plastic in their product. Perhaps manufactured in the chill of the winter and the problem only shows up in the heat of the summer. The place where you bought the feeder should make good. It is bad advertising to sell products that melt in the sun. :-( Jerry
Great tale Jerry!! I've had plastic garden bird feeders crack with severe frosts but never damaged from excess heat. Here in Scotland we never get temperatures high enough to melt anything - waterlog it maybe but that's about it.
loved the story jerry and I already threw it away or I would take pics that really freaked me out it did it to 2 of them and they were in partial shade
Donna, if you can remember the brand name of the defective feeders, please post it so other Stewies will be warned.
Speaking of "Brands" has anyone used "Dr. JB's" hummingbird feeder? I have one and love it!!! I'd love to have more but they are so darn expensive :-x Without a doubt the easiest to clean!!! Very good design and very good quality!!!
I bought them at dollar general they were $2.00 each and today I saw where they had gone up to $3.00 they were clear plastic with the red bottoms with yellow flowers
