emilygoodinDec 20, 2022
Frigid temps are predicted for Bellingham over the next few days. Some hummingbirds over-winter here so I needed to make sure our feeder didn't freeze. I set up a heat lamp close enough to do that, but far away enough so it doesn't overheat the hummers. #bellinghamwa
Show threadPope Rajulio 
@the_trekker A 7watt night light bulb is plenty to keep it from freezing. Attached to the bottom of our feeders are plastic molecajetes (small salsa bowls, but anything will work) with a hole in the bottom, and a single nightlight on a cordset plugged in. no freeze down to 17 degrees from the last ice storm a couple years ago!
Dec 20, 2022 at 3:44amWeb
Show threademilygoodinDec 20, 2022
@prsiii That is true for "normal" cold but we used 7w bulbs last year mounted to the bottom as the pic shows, and both our feeders froze in the ultra-cold snap. Thanks though!
Show threadPope Rajulio Dec 20, 2022
@the_trekker hmmm, maybe it's the thickness of the sauce cup, we got down to 17 during that nasty freeze and had a little ice at the top of the reservoir but the feeder part was good to go and had plenty of 'customers'. A molcajete is about 1/4" thick plastic, and the feeder itself has a barrier around the outside which seems to concentrate the heat into the feeder pan. Maybe wrapping the bottle part would help?
Show threademilygoodinDec 20, 2022
@prsiii Interesting! It was below zero F here last year.