How To Make Hummingbird Nectar (Sugar Water Recipe)

Do you love those tiny winged Hummingbirds but wonder what to feed them? Here is how to make Hummingbird Nectar (sugar water recipe).

I want to share some Hummingbird Nectars Dos and Don’ts. It is important to feed your little winged friends good quality nectar. Homemade is the best and least expensive way to go.

Hummingbird Nectars Dos and Don’t

FEED THEM QUALITY NECTAR

How do I make Hummingbird food? It is easy and cost efficient to make your own homemade nectar. The quality of the food is important and best when it is homemade.

I follow the recommendation from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Two ingredients: refined white sugar and water. To make safe nectar: mix one part of sugar with four parts waters. You should use 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water (1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water). Do NOT add red or any color food dyes to it. Dyes are harmful to Hummingbirds.

Can I use tap water? Yes, you can use tap water for your Hummingbird Nectar. No, the water for your nectar does not need to be boiled. Stir the water and sugar mixture until it has completely dissolved.

Fill your Hummingbird feeder with sugar water and place outside. The extra nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Then you will need to make a new batch.

do nOt USE RED DYES OR FOOD COLORING

Red dyes and food coloring are very harmful to Hummingbirds. Do not purchase the store bought nectar that contains dye. It is really easy to make homemade nectar.

Do KEEP YOUR FEEDERS CLEANED & FILLED

It is very important to keep your feeders clean from mold building up before filling it with fresh homemade hummingbird nectar.

To clean your feeders, empty them and put it in a sink of hot soapy water. You need to rinse with water thoroughly before refilling. Cleaning them will prevent any harmful mold growth inside the feeder.

how often do you change hummingbird food?

Nectar will spoil so it is important to empty, clean and refill. If your feeders are in full sunlight, you will need to clean and refill every two to three days. If the feeders are in full shade, you should clean and refill every 5 days. During hot weather, you will need to check your feeders and change out every two days.

If you were like me, I could watch these little birds for hours. In fact, I put a bench in the flower garden for that very reason. My husband and I will sit and watch as they sip nectar from the feeder or flowers.

If you have always wanted to attract Hummingbirds to your yard, I have post here on 15 tips to attract Hummingbirds. It is filled with some great ideas for you to incorporate in your gardens and yard.

favorite Hummingbird feeders

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