Homemade hummingbird food is easy to make!
You only need sugar and water. Tap water is fine as long as it’s potable.
You’ll need the following to make your hummingbird nectar.
- White Table Sugar
- Hot water
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
The Only Hummingbird Food Recipe You Need to Know
- Fill your mixing bowl with hot water.
- Your sugar to water ratio is 1:4.
- If you’re using 1 cup sugar then use 4 cups of warm or hot water. Likewise for smaller batches like ¼ cup of sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Whisk the sugar into the hot water to help it dissolve into a mixture.
- Let cool before filling your hummingbird feeder.
Voila!
Your hummingbird nectar is ready to use.
Simply store the excess in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Let the nectar cool before storing with a lid in the fridge to prevent bacteria growth.
3 Tips for Hummingbird Feeders
1. How often do I fill or change a hummingbird feeder?
How often to replace Hummingbird food:
- every 4-7 days in temperate conditions
- 1-3 days on hot days
- 2 weeks refrigerated nectar
- wash in between each change
Sugar water spoils easily. Left in the hummingbird feeder it grows bacteria that's harmful to birds.
Heat and sun exposure makes it spoil faster.
Hummingbird feeders in shaded areas may last longer between cleanings.
2. How often do I need to clean a hummingbird feeder?
Clean the hummingbird feeder every time you change the food.
All you need are some basic household cleaning supplies:
- soap
- scrubby brush or sponge
- bottle brush
It's important to clean it thoroughly making sure no bacteria or mold is left to grow from leftover spoiled nectar.
3. What kind of bird feeder do I use for hummingbirds?
Nectar feeders are the only feeders you need for hummingbirds!
The best hummingbird feeders have these 3 features:
- Perch for feeding
- Red in color
- Ant Moat
See any hummingbirds lately?
Share them on the Sparkbird App! Available in the Apple App Store.
