Love Hummingbirds?
So do we! We are just starting on creating the perfect environment for these amazing little creatures; learning a lot along the way. I am sure everyone knows that the easiest way to attract Hummingbird,s is to hang up a feeder for them. As a matter of fact, I have one humming around me as I am typing; chirping in excitement or thankfulness, I’m not sure which.
We only moved into our house this past fall, and my late Mother in law never really cared for hummingbirds. They come up close and zoom around invading her personal space. It’s almost as if they are communicating with you. Having her bubble invaded like that was not her forte; so needless to say we had to start from scratch, as we had no hummers at all. We only have two regulars at this time; but for me that is a big deal, because it means we are doing something right!
Cheap and easy way to get started –
As I already mentioned, hanging a Hummingbird feeder is the easiest most well-known way of attracting hummingbirds. Filling it with that glorious red nectar makes us excited to bring hummers to our backyards.
Feeders can be found at just about any store in any shape, size or color. When grabbing a feeder you see packs of dry, red powder sitting right beside them; so why not grab that, right? I shall tell you why you shouldn’t!
No Red Please!
Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, but not because it is red, it’s because they love all bright colors; they are not prejuidice. We humans have somehow managed to associate the red with attracting hummingbirds; so it would make sense to have red nectar, right? Wrong! Many don’t know that the dye in this nectar could actually prove to be fatal. Although there are no solid studies to prove this point, the same proves true for the opposite.
If that is the case then why can red colored nectar be found by the boatloads? Because there just isn’t enough solid evidence to support removing the red dye from the products. The fact that the hummer consumption of the red colored nectar is linked to a higher mortality rate; just isn’t enough to prevent manufacturers from adding it to their product.
Err on the side of caution
We err on the side of caution and have stopped purchasing the red colored nectar years ago; instead we opt for the clear kind. This can be purchased in the powder or the ready-mix; although it can be very difficult to find in stores. Since it is difficult to find and quite frankly, pretty expensive; we have decided to start making our own homemade concoction. Making your own costs a fraction of what you might spend at the store.
You can copy and print this little recipe and place it on your fridge for easy access.
Hummingbird Nectar | |
| White Sugar (only) | Water |
| ¼ cup | 1 cup |
| ½ cup | 2 cups |
| 1 cup | 4 cups |
| Directions: Combine ingredients Bring to a boil Let cool completely before filling feeder Remainder may be stored in Refrigerator for 7-10 days Bring to room temperature before placing outside for hummers. Never use any other sugar, sugar substitute or molasses type products |
Feeder Maintenance:
It is important to remember to clean feeder a couple of times a week to keep your hummers healthy. Filling up and forgetting a feeder is easy to do; however sugar water left in the heat/sun too long will turn putrid and could have serious side effects. Personally I do not fill my feeders to the brim for several reasons.
The most important reason to ensure clean feeders with fresh nectar, is it can cause terminal illness in your hummer. Mold can become a real problem real quick if feeders are not properly maintained and could essentially kill the bird.
Filling the feeder only 1/3 or 1/4 full, will prevent leaving the feeder out too long without cleaning it; also decreasing waste of the nectar. The less nectar in a feeder, the more likely hummingbirds will drink it all up before it spoils. And for two it will prevent any pests such as wasps and other insects from taking over the feeder.
- Wash feeder at least twice a week in hot weather
- DO NOT use dishwashing soap – this can leave residue
- A good scrubbing of all the parts with hot water should be good enough, if cleaned on regular basis
- If your feeder has not had a good cleaning in quite some time; you can always disinfect it, using a hot water and vinegar combination. Soak the feeder if necessary.
- An old toothbrush works wonders in scrubbing those tiny little feeder openings
- Bottle brushes (I prefer the ones with the sponge on the end), pipe cleaners, old toothbrushes and a non abrasive cloth, are all you need.
I wash mine out at least twice a week; depending on the weather, using only a bottle brush and hot water.
But how long before nectar goes bad?
The hotter the temperature outside the less time it will take to ferment.
Below is a basic breakdown of how often the nectar should be changed.
- 60° F – 70° F – the nectar can be left outside in the feeder for 5 – 7 days before changing
- 70° F – 84° F – change nectar and clean feeder every 3 days
- 85° F – 87° F – changing and cleaning every 2 days is recommended
- 88° F – 99° F – EVERY DAY
Feeder Placement –
- Use clear nectar, whether store bought or homemade
- Make sure to hang in shaded area, this will keep nectar fresh longer.
- If the feeder is not attracting any hummers; consider tying some colorful ribbon on it, or decorating it with some fun colorful designs.
- Distance –
If the feeder is too far away, you may not be able to clearly see these magnificent creatures. Bring them closer to your deck or area where you like to sit. - If you notice wasps or other insects taking over the feeder consider cleaning it and replacing the nectar. Spoiled or fermented nectar tends to attract these pests.
In part two of my post I will be discussing certain types of flowers and plants that will also increase your hummingbird population. Ready for the next step?
Attract Hummingbirds Part 2
Just remember, all this seems like a lot of information, but soon it will be second nature and you will know these things by heart.
For more information, FAQ’s check out some of the websites below.
https://www.perkypet.com/advice/hummingbirds-101/nectar-guide
https://www.audubon.org/news/hummingbird-feeding-faqs
https://www.thespruce.com/does-hummingbird-nectar-spoil-4137325
http://www.hummingbirds.net/https://journeynorth.org/tm/humm/food_red_dye.html
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