Hummingbird Feeder Recipe That’s Easy To Make
The hummingbird feeder recipe is a simple recipe for how to make a hummingbird feeder solution that’s quick and easy………fun to make ………and will also save you some money when you use your own hummingbird feeder recipe.
The hummingbird feeder recipe is made from 2 ingredients….white table sugar and water. The sugar to water ratio is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Only sugar and water is used to make the hummingbird feeder recipe, no other ingredients or additives are needed.
Some people have tried other additives such as honey and artificial sweeteners.. Honey will ferment quickly and produce a fungus that is harmful to hummingbirds, so don’t use honey to make your hummingbird feeder solution.
Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes have no calories and will provide no fuel to sustain the hummingbirds vigorous activity. They will not get the energy boost that they would get from high calorie sugar, so don’t use it in your hummingbird feeder recipe
Another additive that people like to use in the hummingbird feeder recipe is red food coloring. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to the color red, so people add it to their nectar in hopes of attracting the hummingbirds. There is too much controversy about harmful affects that red food coloring might have on the birds health, so don’t use it in your hummingbird feeder solution.
If your feeder has red coloring on it, as most do, that will be enough to attract hummingbirds. Some people hang red ribbons from their feeders for extra attraction. But I myself have not had any trouble attracting hummingbirds with just the red on the feeder. Just fill your red feeder and they will come.
Hummingbird feeder recipe:
Here’s how to make the hummingbird feeder recipe solution …..
- add 1 part white table sugar to 4 parts water.
- bring to a boil and boil about 2 minutes while stirring the sugar until it is dissolved.
- let the hummingbird feeder solution cool, then add it to your feeder.
Boiling the water helps boil off any chlorine that might be in the water and kills any bacteria or other unwanted things in the sugar. Preparing your nectar this way will help it to last longer, whether it’s in your feeder or just being stored in your refrigerator for use at a later time.
The extra hummingbird feeder solution that you might have after using the hummingbird feeder recipe, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and used as you need it.
Maintaining your feeder
To bring in hummingbirds and keep them coming to your feeder you will have to make sure the hummingbird feeder solution you made with the hummingbird feeder recipe is fresh and your hummingbird feeder stays clean. This can be accomplished by filling the feeder with fresh hummingbird feeder food every few days.
You can tell when the homemade hummingbird feeder food needs changed by looking at it. If the hummingbird food mixture starts to look cloudy, change it. As a general guide line, when the temp is below 70 the hummingbird nectar will last about a week, in the 70’s 5-6 days, in the 80’s 2-4 days, 90 and above you will have to change the nectar every day or 2. It’s better to change the hummingbird nectar more often and not have to clean mold out of the nectar.
Empty the old hummingbird feed and rinse the feeder several times with warm water before refilling.
If you notice black specks of mold growing in the hummingbird feed nectar or on your feeder, you waited too long. Pour out the old nectar and you will have to use a more drastic measure to kill the mold and clean up your feeder.
You will have to soak your hummingbird feeder in a mild bleach water solution. Soak your feeder in a 10% bleach 90% water solution for an hour.
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You might even have to use small brushes to clean your feeder if there is a mold build up. When your hummingbird feeder is done soaking, thoroughly rinse the feeder with water 3 or 4 times to make sure all traces of bleach are removed. |
When you have to clean your feeder you will wish you had one that was easy to take apart and clean the insides.
Best hummingbird feeder to use with the hummingbird feeder recipe:
Now that your homemade hummingbird feeder recipe 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 feeder recipe from bees ants and wasps.
My favorite choice of hummingbird feeders to use with the homemade hummingbird feeder recipe is
Aspects 12oz Hummzinger Ultra With Nectar Guard
It’s inexpensive and has several features that makes it well worth the price.
The HummZinger has patented Nectar guard tips which are flexible membranes attached to the feed ports that prohibit entry from flying insects, but allow Hummingbirds to feed as usual. The HummZinger also has a built in ant moat that will stop crawling insects from getting to the nectar. It also has raised flower ports that divert rain.
This mid-size nectar feeder has a 12 oz. capacity and can be hung or post mounted with hardware provided. It has four feeding ports for hummingbirds and is made of unbreakable polycarbonate. Easy to clean.
For ease of cleaning and protection from bees, wasps and ants, this feeder can’t be beat.
If you already have a hummingbird feeder, and you want to protect it from ants and other crawling insects, the ant moat below will do the job.
Trap-It Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders, Red
Product Description
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.
Keep fresh hummingbird nectar in your feeder and your hummingbirds will thank you by providing you with lots of exciting entertainment.
Enjoy watching all those hummingbirds that a clean feeder and fresh hummingbird feed will attract, and I hope you enjoyed this article on hummingbird feeder recipe.
Click this link hummingbird feeder recipe to read more articles about making hummingbird food.
