Since the feeder itself is bright it does a great job of attracting them. I was worried at first that the hummingbirds wouldn’t be attracted to my feeder if I had clear nectar in it but that wasn’t the case at all. Some sources say that the red dye is bad for the hummingbirds so for that reason alone, even if it isn’t scientifically proven, I’d recommend not using the red dye. Why should you avoid using red food coloring when making hummingbird food? If the solution becomes cloudy or you see mold growing it needs to be replaced. You can store homemade hummingbird food in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. How long can you store homemade hummingbird food? For that reason alone, I’ll always boil mine. However, boiling the water will remove impurities in the water and sterilize it which makes it safer for the hummingbirds. You need the water to be hot enough to dissolve the sugar so it isn’t necessary that it be boiling to do that. Not really but it is recommended that you do. In a small pot on the stove, heat the sugar water until the sugar fully dissolves.Īllow sugar water to cool completely before filling feeder or storing in refrigerator.Ĭommon Questions About Feeding Hummingbirds Do I need to boil sugar water for hummingbirds? Even more concerning, if you use too much sugar, the nectar can be damaging to their kidneys and liver. If you use too little sugar you won’t provide enough calories for the hummingbirds. It’s important to get the ratio right when making your own food for hummingbirds. Mix 4 parts water to 1 part white cane sugar. Ratio of Sugar and Water for Homemade Hummingbird Food How to Make Homemade Hummingbird Food Homemade Hummingbird Food Ingredients Where we live (Cincinnati Ohio), we have Ruby-Throated hummingbirds. Here is a picture of the two babies just before they fledged. The eggs were so tiny (only about the size of a jellybean). We were also lucky enough to spot a hummingbird nest on a branch in our front yard that was only about 8′ off the ground. It was pretty accurate for us so this can be a great tool to plan for your hummingbird friends. This year my husband started tracking the hummingbird migration on. In the United states you can see migrating hummingbirds as early as February depending on how far south you live. Many hummingbirds will spend winter in Central America and then migrate north to breed in the Spring. If you’re doing all of things listed above but you still aren’t seeing any hummingbirds, it may just be that it’s the wrong time of year or you put your feeder out to late and the hummingbirds have moved on to a new location. If you’ve noticed that your nectar is cloudy, you should replace the nectar and clean your feeder. The nectar will ferment quicker when in the heat and sun which causes bacteria and mold to grow. While I keep my feeder in the sun, it’s really best to locate your feeder in the shade. If you notice ants in your feeder one easy solution is to add an ant moat to your feeder which acts as a deterrent to keep ants away. They can easily crawl into the tiny openings of the feeder ports and quickly contaminate the nectar. Bees tend to be less of a problem because most feeders are designed to keep bees out. Keep insects awayĪnts and bees are attracted to sugar water and can overtake your feeder in no time. If the nectar is starting to look cloudy or if it’s visibly full of bugs, change it right away. In cooler weather you may only have to change the nectar once a week but in warmer weather it will need to be changed every 3 to 5 days. Not only will hummingbirds not want to feed from a dirty feeder, a dirty feeder can also be harmful to their health. Here are some tips to attract hummingbirds to your feeder so that they can enjoy your homemade hummingbird food. If you’re wondering why hummingbirds aren’t drinking from your feeder there may be a few reasons that they are staying away. How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Feeder This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your neighborhood hummingbirds will love your homemade food and so will your wallet. All you need is sugar and water in the correct ratio. Making your own hummingbird food is super easy and inexpensive. We hung a feeder off of our deck a few years ago and have enjoyed their company during spring and summer every year. Hummingbirds are adorable and fascinating little creatures.
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