Hummingbird "Feeder" Tips for Gardeners

deep red and scarlet colors. If you just can't tolerate the color red, look for an orange maybe a green feeder having red feeding ports. Or, you can also decorate a non-red feeder by tying or gluing some red nylon kite fabric streamers onto the feeder. I like to hang a colorful windsock (with some red colors, of course) near the feeder, which seems to work just fine.

Filling Your Feeders with Artificial Nectar

Although there are many commercial "nectar mixes" on the market, it really isn't necessary to purchase those to fill your feeder. You see, hummingbirds metabolize the natural sugars from plants--glucose, fructose, sucrose--the same way they do artificial {sucrose} nectar. Neither is it necessary to add red dye or food coloring to the syrup in your feeder. There have, in fact, been some reports that these additives may be harmful to hummingbirds.

The most widely used recipe for making your own artificial nectar is as follows, and the cost is very minimal:

NECTAR RECIPE: One part white sugar to four parts water. Boil water before measuring to be sure you get the exact amount, then add sugar. Stir sugar into the hot water and mix until well dissolved. Cool syrup mixture before placing it in feeder. Store all unused portions of the syrup in refrigerator for later use.

NEVER substitute honey for sugar, as honey can become infected with a certain mold that is fatal to hummers! NEVER use "artificial sweeteners" as they do not contain real sugar--although the hummers don't know this!

Cleaning Your Feeders

Whether you decide to use hummingbird feeders as a supplement to natural nectar or just to attract more hummers to your yard, you must be prepared to properly clean and maintain the feeder. Since the above recipe contains sucrose, it spoils quite rapidly if placed in direct sunlight, especially in hot weather. If you notice the solution looking cloudy, you must change it immediately, as this is a sign it is spoiled.

In temperatures 75-80 degrees (F) and above, feeders need to be cleaned and refilled as often as every three or four days. Feeders should also be "deep cleaned" on a monthly basis. A mild solution of 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of hot water is recommended--or, you can opt to wash the feeders in hot soapy water using your regular dishwater soap. Always rinse the feeders very thoroughly with clean, hot water before refilling them with

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic