Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard birdwatchers everywhere. Their speedy wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in midair and fly backwards or upside down. Hummingbirds have voracious appetites to fuel their high-energy lifestyle, consuming nearly half their body weight in nectar each day.
That’s why it’s important to keep fresh nectar available in your feeders at all times during hummingbird season. But what’s the best way to maintain ready-to-eat homemade nectar? Can you refrigerate it to extend its shelf life? Let’s take a closer look at how to store and handle homemade hummingbird food.
Should You Refrigerate Homemade Hummingbird Food?
The short answer is yes, you can and should refrigerate any unused portion of homemade hummingbird nectar. Prepared nectar with plain white sugar and water should be stored in the refrigerator and can keep for up to 1 week. Here are some key reasons refrigeration extends the freshness of homemade nectar:
- Slows microbial growth – Yeasts and bacteria multiply rapidly in sugar-rich nectar at room temperature. Refrigeration dramatically slows the growth.
- Prevents fermentation – Yeast feeds on sugar and can ferment nectar over time, making it toxic to hummingbirds. Chilling homemade nectar prevents fermentation.
- Inhibits mold – Nectar exposed to air can develop mold within 2 days at room temp. The cold fridge air prevents mold growth.
- Keeps nectar fresh – Refrigeration keeps nectar tastier and fresher longer vs. countertop storage.
Storing unused hummingbird food in the refrigerator gives you a ready nectar supply for up to a week. Just transfer portions to a feeder as needed and let come to room temperature before hanging.
Tips for Refrigerating Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
Follow these tips for storing prepared hummingbird food in the fridge safely and efficiently:
Use clean containers
Always store nectar in clean, sterile containers like mason jars or plastic jugs made for food. Wash thoroughly before use. Avoid any container with prior chemical exposure from cleaners, detergents, etc. that could taint the nectar.
Fill only halfway
Leave ample headspace in nectar containers, filling only halfway. This prevents nectar from pushing up and out of containers as it expands in the refrigerator.
Use lids
Secure lids, caps, or covers on nectar containers stored in the fridge. This protects nectar from absorbing fridge odors and minimizes direct air exposure.
Refrigerate promptly
Prepared nectar can be left at room temperature up to 24 hours before refrigeration. For best quality, refrigerate any unused portion of nectar promptly after mixing.
Store up to 1 week
Homemade hummingbird nectar keeps up to 1 week refrigerated. Discard any older, expired batches to ensure freshness.
Keep cold, don’t freeze
Refrigerate nectar at standard fridge temperatures, 35-40°F. Don’t freeze prepared nectar as freezing will compromise its texture.
Label containers
Mark nectar jugs and jars with the date mixed so you know when batches were prepared. This ensures you use oldest batches first.
Clean containers thoroughly
Wash nectar containers in hot, soapy water after use before reusing. Sterilize occasionally by washing with a dilute bleach solution to kill any lingering microbes.
Signs Your Refrigerated Nectar Has Spoiled
Check refrigerated hummingbird nectar regularly for any signs of spoilage:
- Floating particles or film – Mold or yeast growth will leave visible traces in nectar.
- Cloudy appearance – Clear prepared nectar will turn cloudy once microbes multiply.
- Slimy texture – Spoiled nectar feels viscous or slimy when swirling gently.
- Fermented smell – Old, fermented nectar gives off yeasty, beer-like aromas.
If refrigerated homemade hummingbird nectar shows any of these signs, discard the batch immediately. Thoroughly clean the storage container before making a fresh batch.
Making Safe Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
The basic ratio for homemade hummingbird food is:
- 1 part white granulated sugar
- 4 parts water
For example, mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 cup water. Boil the mixture for 1-2 minutes to pasteurize then let cool fully before filling feeders. A few tips:
- Use plain white table sugar only. Never use honey, artificial sweeteners, or added colors/flavors.
- Use clean, filtered or distilled water for the healthiest nectar.
- Bring water just to a boil then remove from heat before adding sugar.
- Stir until sugar fully dissolves then cool before refrigerating.
- Avoid letting nectar reach temps above 140°F when boiling to prevent a bitter taste.
Adhering closely to this basic recipe and proper refrigeration guidelines will ensure your homemade hummingbird nectar lasts safely up to 1 week for happy, healthy hummers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use brown sugar to make hummingbird food?
No, avoid using brown sugar to make hummingbird nectar. The minerals present may be unhealthy for hummingbirds. Plain white granulated sugar is recommended.
What about raw sugar or organic sugar?
Raw sugar and organic sugar aren’t recommended either. They may contain levels of iron that could cause hummingbird health issues. Plain white table sugar is still best.
Is it okay to use honey for hummingbird food?
Honey isn’t recommended for hummingbird nectar. Honey can promote yeast and bacteria growth much more readily than sugar. Honey can also transmit diseases to hummingbirds.
Can I use artificial sweeteners in nectar?
No, do not use any artificial sweeteners like Splenda, Sweet’N Low, Equal, etc. Artificial sweeteners provide no nutritional value for hummingbirds. Plain white sugar is still the best option.
Do I really need to refrigerate extra nectar?
Yes, for longest life and safety of your homemade hummingbird food, it’s highly recommended to refrigerate any unused portion. Nectar left unrefrigerated will ferment and grow mold very quickly.
How long does refrigerated nectar last?
Properly prepared and promptly refrigerated hummingbird nectar will stay fresh and usable for 5-7 days. Discard any older leftover batches.
Can I freeze my extra homemade hummingbird food?
Freezing isn’t recommended for nectar storage. Freezing and thawing will alter its texture, making it less appealing and familiar for hummingbirds.
Can I add red food coloring to my nectar?
Adding red food color is unnecessary and can actually be harmful to hummingbirds. Make nectar only using the basic 4:1 ratio of sugar to water.
What about adding vitamins to the nectar?
There’s no need to add vitamins, electrolytes, or other supplements to basic hummingbird nectar. The simple sugar-water blend provides all the nutrition hummingbirds need.
Is it okay to use cane sugar instead of white sugar?
Regular white table sugar is still recommended over cane sugar. Cane sugar is less refined and may have small amounts of iron that can cause issues for hummingbirds over time.
Can I use organic or natural sugar instead?
Organic, natural, and evaporated cane sugars aren’t ideal and could contain impurities. Plain white refined sugar is still the best choice.
What’s the ideal refrigerator temperature for nectar?
Store hummingbird nectar at 35-40°F, the normal refrigerator temperature range. Avoid freezing which alters nectar texture or keeping above 40°F to slow microbial growth.
Conclusion
Following proper storage methods for homemade hummingbird nectar ensures you always have a fresh, safe supply on hand for your busy hummers. Refrigerating unused portions is highly recommended to maximize shelf life to 5-7 days and slow fermentation, mold growth, and spoilage.
Use clean, sterile containers filled only halfway and securely sealed. Refrigerate promptly after mixing and maintain a consistent 35-40°F temperature. Discard any nectar older than 1 week. By making a quality sugar-water blend and chilling unused portions, you can conveniently enjoy fresh nectar all season long!
