Protective Dome Baffle

My newest addition, and honestly one I wish I'd added years ago. Two of my feeders get heavy sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, and nectar breaks down fast in direct heat. The dome sits above the feeder and blocks the worst of it, so I'm not refreshing nectar as often. It also sheds rain and makes it harder for squirrels to raid the feeder from above. They're nice looking red metal domes too, so they don't look out of place hanging in the yard.

Ant Moats

Ants will find a feeder eventually, and once they do, they'll march straight down the hanger and into the ports. An ant moat is just a small water-filled cup that hangs between the feeder and whatever it's hanging from — ants can't cross the water, so they never reach the nectar. It's a couple of dollars and completely solves a problem that otherwise ruins a feeder. I consider this one non-negotiable.

Bee Guards

We don't have much of a bee or wasp problem in our yard, so I don't use these myself, but if you have a bee/wasp problem, and are not using bowl type feeders, then these can help. They come as either soft inserts that go into the ports, or as flower type snap ons, and physically block bees and wasps from reaching the nectar while still letting hummingbirds feed normally. Just make sure you get guards sized for your specific feeder's ports — they're not universal.

Hanging Brackets

I use these to mount feeders directly off the house — one above our kitchen window and another on the corner near the backyard door. They get feeders up close to windows for viewing and photography without needing a pole or a nearby tree branch. Easy to install and sturdy enough to hold a full feeder without sagging.

Shepherd Hooks

For feeders that aren't near a wall or structure, shepherd hooks let you place them anywhere in the yard — spaced apart in garden beds, away from windows, wherever makes sense. I run both short and tall ones in different spots. Spreading feeders out this way also helps with territorial disputes, since hummingbirds are much less likely to share a single feeder than to work a yard with several options spread around.

Anti-Collision Window Decals

If you're hanging feeders near a window this matters more than people realize. Hummingbirds can't see clear glass, and a fast, disoriented bird chasing a rival away from a feeder can hit a window hard enough to be seriously hurt or killed. We have feeders in front of a large kitchen window and near a glass door, so we use these static-cling UV decals on both. Birds can see them, we barely notice them, and it's cheap insurance for something that's otherwise easy to overlook.

Denture Toothbrushes

Not glamorous, but I use these more than any other accessory on this list. A dedicated brush makes the difference between a two-minute cleaning routine and a fight with a sponge that can't reach the corners. I keep a few on hand along with pipe cleaners for the ports — full details in How to Clean Hummingbird Feeders.