Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (2024)

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By Riley E. Carlson 1 Comment

Now that spring is near, attract hummingbirds to your homestead garden with this hummingbird feeder recipe. Plus, here are some useful tips on feeding hummingbirds and keeping them safe and healthy.

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe To Keep HummingbirdsHappy

Hummingbirds are lovely little creatures that draw lots of interest to your homestead. I definitely enjoy watching them flittingaround my yard, buzzing around my windows. The delight they give every time they're around is just totally priceless, aside from the many benefits they give tomy garden. So, I always take thetime to give them a treat that I want to share with you, as well as some simple tips. I hope you'll find this helpful!

The Best Hummingbird Feeder Recipe

What you’ll need for the best Hummingbird Feeder Recipe

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (1)
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 3 or 4 cups spring water
  • Spoon
  • Pan

Directions And Tips For Making The Best Hummingbird Food

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Mix water and sugar. Don't add food coloring! You can bring it to a boil or just enough heat to totally dissolve the sugar. Store the unused mixture in a refrigerator,it's good for about a week.

  • Cane sugar is recommended, but beet sugar is acceptable.
  • Avoid the use of any other kind of sugar, not the brown or turbinado sugar. And also never use artificial sweetener or honey.
  • Spring water is a top choice, but it's acceptable to use tap water.
  • If there are lots of bees attracted, adjust the mixture with five cups of water and one cup of sugar.
  • During fall, hold up until there's no hummingbird even one for three weeks before bringing your feeders down to lessen the risks of late migrants.

These facts could help you out the next time you come across a bear! https://t.co/xam7SQcnp1 pic.twitter.com/iFXneYVB3K

— Homesteading (@HomesteadingUSA) September 25, 2016

Tips For Nurturing Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds cannot survive with only water, sugar, and nectar, they also feast on tree sap and eat tiny spiders and insects. Well, I guess supplying your hummingbird dwellers fresh tiny spiders and insects is not really your ideaof a great time, so I've only included helpful tips for hummingbird feeders that will help you sustain your lovely little dwellers.

Feeder Type and Size:

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (2)
  • Pick a feederyou are willing and capable of keeping clean.
  • Search for a feeder that has the ports on top ofthe pool of fluid to avoid drops.
  • Your feeder should match the size of your hummingbird population.
  • If the feeder is not being used, don't fill it up.
  • To help reduce territoriality, have more feeders that will support more hummingbirds.

Start your weekend with these cute teacup piglets! ???? https://t.co/dz1vda2Cci pic.twitter.com/TQlCbJslPh

— Homesteading (@HomesteadingUSA) September 23, 2016

Hummingbird Nectar Freshness:

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (3)

  • Replace the mixture every 4 to 5 days, but more frequently if temperatures are over 90° F.
  • If you see mold and your fluid appears cloudy, clean the feeder immediately and thoroughly. Remember that mold is toxic toyour poor hummingbird.

Location of Your Feeder:

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (4)

  • Make sure that your feeder is beyond the reach of cats and any other predators.
  • To avoid predation, never put your feeder near the hummer’s nest.
  • It would be great if you could place your feeder in a shady spot and where you see it. You know how fun it isto watch your hummingbird feed.

Maintenance of Your Feeder

Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (5)
  • Always clean feeders between refillings, never “top off” without cleaning.
  • When cleaning, use water and mild detergent, make sure to rinse thoroughly.
  • Soak the feeder in bleach and water solution every once a month.
  • If ants are attracted to your feeder, you can use a moat or ant guard to stop them.

Want more tips for making hummingbird feeders and keeping them clean? Then watch this video from StarryHilder:

There you go, my fellow homesteaders, a hummingbird feeder recipe, and useful tips to attract hummingbirds to your homestead garden! Having hummingbirds around your homestead only shows your heart forlittle creatures and the happiness surrounding your homestead. Don't just let them pass by but welcome them into your homestead. Happy homesteading!

Thanks for checking our Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdoorsy Homesteader post! Did you find it helpful and interesting? Let us know in the comments below.

Want to become a better host for your feathery friends? Protect their food from the nasty squirrels and ensure that only them get to enjoy your treat. Check outsquirrel proof bird feeder ideas to help you out!

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Hummingbird Feeder Recipe And More For The Outdorsy Homesteader (2024)

FAQs

What is the correct ratio of sugar to water for hummingbirds? ›

Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until the sugar is dissolved. Do not add red dye. Fill your hummingbird feeders with the sugar water and place outside. Extra sugar water can be stored in a refrigerator.

What happens if you don't boil sugar water for hummingbirds? ›

While boiling the water will help slow the fermentation of the nectar initially, the nectar in hummingbird feeders is contaminated as soon as it is sipped by a bird. Therefore, it is not necessary to boil the nectar once the sugar has been dissolved. If you use extra fine sugar, no boiling or heating may be needed.

Can you use brown sugar instead of white sugar for hummingbird food? ›

Do not use honey, brown sugar, molasses, or artificial sugar substitutes for any hummingbird nectar recipe. Honey and molasses (brown sugar contains molasses products) are too heavy for hummingbirds to digest efficiently and can ferment more quickly, creating mold that is fatal.

How long can sugar water sit out for hummingbirds? ›

How often should Hummingbird Feeder Nectar be changed? If the weather is cooler, 60 degrees, then leaving the nectar for two or three days is acceptable. However, on a 90? + day, the possibility of spoilage would require that you change the nectar after one day.

What happens if you put too much sugar in hummingbird water? ›

Too much sugar is hard on their liver and kidneys, and too little sugar will not provide the needed calories and may cause them to lose interest in your feeder. Do not use red dye in the nectar. Most feeders are designed with red parts to attract the notice of hummingbirds. Never add red food color to sugar water.

Is 3 1 or 4 1 better for hummingbird food? ›

However, some writers suggest feeding hummingbirds a 3:1 or stronger mixture in cold weather when the nectar flow of many flowers decreases. That being said, I recommend that you stick with a 4:1 mixture. I give scores of programs on hummingbirds each year.

Is Gatorade good for hummingbirds? ›

A: No, no, no. Please don't do that. All they want from us is sugar and water. Nothing else is proven safe.

Is turbinado sugar ok for hummingbirds? ›

I know the hummers are pretty much gone now but I thought I should address this. According to hummingbird “experts” , it is not good to use raw sugar.

What is the best thing to feed hummingbirds? ›

Use table sugar rather than honey to make hummingbird food—when honey is diluted with water, bacteria and fungus thrive in it. The normal mixture, especially ideal during hot or dry weather, is ¼ cup of sugar per cup of water.

Where should you not hang a hummingbird feeder? ›

Another safety concern to consider is windows. While it might be tempting to hang your hummingbird feeders nearby a window so you can watch them, you'll have to be careful about the placement. Feeders should be either far away from windows or very close to windows to help avoid the risk of collisions.

Why won't the hummingbirds drink from my feeder? ›

They may be hesitant to try out a new feeder, especially if you have been offering nectar in other feeders – a tried and true food source. It could also take some time for the hummingbirds to get used to a new landing pattern or learn the mechanics of drinking from a new feeding port.

Why don't hummingbirds like my sugar water? ›

Sugar water can become contaminated by bacteria, mold, fungus, and even dead bugs which can harm and possibly kill a hummingbird. As the nectar spoils, and all nectar spoils, it can be harder to digest and less nutritious for the hummingbirds.

What happens if you don't change your hummingbird feeder? ›

Hummingbird food can spoil or ferment, which means hummingbirds will try it once or twice, but then it goes bad and they may never come back. You must change your feeder's nectar, even if it looks like it hasn't lost a drop, on a regular basis. During hot weather, change it every two days.

Does hummingbird food need to be red? ›

There is absolutely no reason to add any red dyes to hummingbird sugar water. After all, natural flower nectar is clear, and hummingbird feeders have colorful parts that attract hummingbird regardless of the color of the sugar water.

Can you give hummingbirds cold sugar water? ›

In areas where the nighttime temperatures only dip slightly below freezing your hummingbird nectar may not freeze as the sugar solution has a lower freezing point than plain water. However, it's better not to have your hummingbirds drink very cold nectar; this can actually cold-stun them.

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