I live in Phoenix where it's so hot in the summer (110 to 115) and my plastic feeder cracked after three years. So I bought a new one yesterday that's clear glass. And the hummers are not coming back.

My plastic one was red. I don't use food coloring, just natural sugar water I make. The new one has a red base for sitting on and sipping nectar.

Any suggestions? Should I paint the feeder red with glass paint to bring my little friends back?

Oh my heart! I posted this and looked up and the larger of the hummers was drinking. But still, I wonder if I should paint it red since the old one was.

Becky you're so artistic I think you ought to paint some cute little doo dads of some kind on it. Red vines...whatever strikes your fancy. I wouldn't paint the whole thing -- just add a little more red to make it easier for them to see.

That's a good idea, Ann... maybe I'll paint some red "vinca-like- flowers. They are drinking, but not as many as before, which in a way is nice because there aren't the normal Hummingbird Wars.

Oh I like the thought of vinca like flowers.

How long was the feeder down? Some of the hummingbirds may have thought their nectar source was gone and moved on. They are like that. I know my hummingbirds are very demanding and it's a daily chore to make sure the feeders are full. They do have favorite feeders that seem to empty faster than the others. I haven't figured out why, the favorite is green and of course the smallest feeder out there - maybe the nectar is always fresh?

Adding some of your pretty artwork is a good idea!

Christine, it was down about a week so that may be part of the issue. I was looking for something sturdier and they may have given up.

Meanwhile, the three that still come are happy dancing that the others aren't aware I put one back up.

I'll take before and after photos when I paint.

Looking forward to seeing the painted feeder.

Plus, new hummingbirds might pass through and find the new and beautiful feeder.