Are you ready to transform your garden into a hummingbird haven? The key lies in creating the perfect hummingbird food mixture. These tiny, vibrant birds are always on the lookout for sweet nectar to fuel their high-energy lifestyles. Luckily, you can easily attract them with a simple, homemade food solution. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about crafting the ideal hummingbird food mixture.
Making your own hummingbird food is easy!
Mixing
No need running to the store anymore to buy expensive nectar for your hummingbirds. For in about 5 minutes time, just using sugar and water, you can enjoy the satisfaction of making your own hummingbird food mixture.
The only two ingredients that you will need for your hummingbird food mixture are white granulated table sugar and tap water. White granulated table sugar is found in every kitchen, it’s the sugar you put on your breakfast cereal every morning. Don’t use any other kind of sugar, not brown sugar, not any kind of sugar substitute and don’t add honey or red food coloring to your hummingbird food mixture.
Brown sugar and honey will ferment quickly and ruin your hummingbird food mixture. Sugar substitutes have no calories and are of no benefit to hummingbirds. The hummingbirds need the calories in sugar to produce energy to maintain their high metabolism.
Red food coloring in your hummingbird food mixture isn’t necessary either. As long as your feeder is red that will be enough red to attract hummingbirds. If you feel you need more red on your feeder, tie strips of red ribbon to your feeder and let them hang down. There is controversy as to whether or not the red die in food coloring is detrimental to hummingbirds, so why not be on the safe side and not use it in the hummingbird food mixture. I have been making my own hummingbird food mixture for years without adding any red to it and haven’t had any problems attracting hummingbirds.
You can also plant red flowers around the yard or in pots or hanging baskets to help attract hummingbirds. My favorite annual is red salvia and my favorite perennial is bee balm.
Hummingbird food mixture how to:
To make your hummingbird food mixture you will be using a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. This 4 to 1 hummingbird food sugar ratio will 
closely resemble the sugar to water ratio found in real flower nectar that the hummingbirds like to feed on.
I like to use 4 cups of water to 1 cup of sugar. That makes me enough hummingbird food mixture to last a couple of weeks. Use whatever measurement best suits your own situation. If you have few hummingbirds, you won’t use much hummingbird food mixture and will want a smaller quantity. Maybe only 2 cups water to ½ cup sugar. Whatever you use to measure, just try to keep the 4 to 1 ratio of water to sugar.
1. into a pan on your stove top pour your water and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil as you stir the sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Boil for about 2 minutes
3. Let the hummingbird food mixture cool and add to your feeder
You can store any remaining hummingbird food mixture in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Why Homemade Mixtures Are Best
You might be wondering why you should bother making your own hummingbird food when you can buy it ready-made. There are several compelling reasons to opt for the DIY approach.
Benefits of DIY Hummingbird Food
Firstly, homemade mixtures are incredibly cost-effective. A bag of sugar and tap water are much cheaper than store-bought nectar. Moreover, you have complete control over the ingredients. Many commercial nectars contain preservatives or dyes that can be harmful to hummingbirds. By making your own, you ensure the birds are getting only what they need. Additionally, you can guarantee the freshness and quality of your mixture.
Hummingbird Feeder Maintenance:
If you want hummingbird to keep using your feeder you will have to keep the hummingbird food mixture fresh and keep your feeder clean. To keep the nectar fresh you will have to replace the old nectar with fresh nectar on a regular basis. How often the old nectar will need to be replaced will depend on how high the temperature gets outdoors.
Here is a chart that will give you a general idea about when to change your hummingbird nectar.
High temperatures Change nectar after
71-75 6 days
76-80 5 days
81-84 4 days
85-88 3 days
89-92 2 days
93+ change daily
If you keep an eye on your hummingbird food mixture you will notice that after a while it will become cloudy. That is a clear indicator that the nectar is starting to ferment and needs to be changed. If you wait too long, you will see little black specks of mold in your feeder. This means you waited too long and now you will have too give your feeder a good cleaning to kill the mold so it doesn’t harm your hummingbirds. If you follow the guidelines in the above chart, you shouldn’t have any trouble.
Every time you change your hummingbird food mixture you should do this:
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Each time you change the nectar rinse the feeder out several times with hot water before filling with fresh nectar.
If you forget about your feeder and find that mold has appeared in your nectar, you will have to soak the feeder in a solution of 10% bleach to 90% water. Soak it for an hour to kill the mold and sterilize your feeder. To help clean out the mold you may need to buy a set of hummingbird feeder brushes that will reach inside the feeder and into the feeder holes. You will have to thoroughly rinse your feeder 3 or 4 times with water to get rid of all traces of the bleach before refilling with the hummingbird food mixture. Keeping your feeder clean and your nectar fresh is very important to your success in attracting hummingbirds.
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Here is the perfect feeder for your hummingbird food mixture
Now that your homemade hummingbird food mixture is done, you will need to get a feeder that is easy to take apart and clean, and one that will also protect your hummingbird food mixture from bees ants and wasps.
One of the best Hummingbird feeders that’s easy to take apart and clean is the HummZinger Ultra.
The HummZinger Ultra 12oz Saucer Feeder is one of the best options for a hummingbird feeder that’s both easy to clean and maintain. This top-tier feeder features patented Nectar Guard tips—flexible membranes on the feeding ports that keep flying insects out while still allowing hummingbirds to feed freely. Plus, it comes with an integrated ant moat to prevent crawling insects from reaching the nectar, and the raised flower ports help divert rain, keeping the nectar fresh.
With a 12 oz capacity, this mid-size feeder offers plenty of space and can be hung or mounted on a post using the included hardware. It has four feeding ports and is made from durable, unbreakable polycarbonate. Whether you’re concerned about bees, wasps, or ants, this feeder is built for easy cleaning and insect protection.
Use an ant moat to keep ants out of your hummingbird food
Trap-It Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders
Using an ant moat for your hummingbird feeder is an effective way to keep ants away from the sweet nectar. These tiny creatures are drawn to
the sugar water, and without a barrier, they will quickly infest your feeder, preventing the birds from enjoying the nectar. An ant moat works by creating a barrier of water that ants can’t cross. Positioned above the feeder, it effectively blocks the ants’ path, keeping them from reaching the nectar.
This simple solution also ensures that your hummingbird feeder remains clean and accessible for the birds, rather than becoming a breeding ground for ants or other pests. It’s a small addition that can make a big difference in maintaining a healthy, inviting space for hummingbirds, while also reducing the need for chemical ant deterrents.
The first and still the best to protect your Hummingbird and Oriole feeder from ants and other crawling insects. Insert between hanger and feeder and fill with water, providing a barrier to crawling pests. Red color to attract hummingbirds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change the hummingbird food mixture?
In warm weather, change the mixture every 2-3 days. In cooler weather, you can extend this to 4-5 days. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage, change it immediately regardless of the timeline.
Can I use organic sugar for my hummingbird food mixture?
While organic sugar is great for humans, it’s best to stick with regular white granulated sugar for hummingbirds. This most closely resembles the natural nectar they get from flowers.
Why shouldn’t I use red food coloring in the mixture?
Red food coloring is unnecessary and potentially harmful to hummingbirds. The red color on feeders is enough to attract them. There’s no need to color the nectar itself.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect hummingbird food mixture is a simple yet rewarding process. By following these guidelines, you’ll be providing a safe, healthy food source for these fascinating birds. Not only will you save money compared to store-bought options, but you’ll also have the joy of knowing exactly what you’re feeding your tiny visitors. The sight of hummingbirds flitting around your garden is well worth the small effort of making your own nectar. Why not start today? Mix up a batch of hummingbird food and get ready to welcome these delightful creatures to your outdoor space.
Here’s a complete guide to attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It lists plants, vines and shrubs that are in bloom for spring, summer and fall. Your hummingbirds will always have flowers to feed on.
If you found this guide helpful in nurturing hummingbirds, pass it on! Use the social sharing buttons on the left to share the love. Every time you share, you’re helping hummingbirds thrive and spreading their magic to others. Let’s all do our part to care for these beautiful creatures!
More Hummingbird Resources
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Hummingbird Conservation
This site offers detailed information about various hummingbird species, their habitats, and conservation efforts. It also provides resources on how to protect these fascinating birds.
National Park Service – Hummingbird Resources
The National Park Service offers insights into hummingbird species found in national parks, their behaviors, and their role in ecosystems, along with tips for observing them.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Birds: Hummingbirds
This resource provides educational materials on the role of hummingbirds in pollination and biodiversity, backed by scientific research and exhibits from the Smithsonian.
