Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy and beauty to backyards across North America. Watching them buzz around from flower to flower sipping nectar is a delight. To attract and nourish these tiny birds, many people put out feeders filled with homemade nectar. However, this nectar can spoil quickly in hot weather leading to waste and even harm to hummingbirds. Follow these tips to keep homemade hummingbird food fresh for your feathered visitors.
Use the Proper Recipe
The base of good hummingbird nectar is simply sugar and water. However, the specific ratio of these two ingredients makes a big difference. According to experts, you should mix one part white, refined sugar with four parts water. This creates a solution with approximately 20% sugar content, which closely matches the nectar found in flowers favored by hummingbirds.
Too little sugar doesn’t provide enough calories and nutrition for hummingbirds. On the flip side, too much sugar can actually harm hummingbird kidneys and digestive systems. By precisely following a one-to-four ratio of sugar-to-water, you can avoid both issues and give your backyard pollinators a healthy meal.
Sugar Type
As mentioned above, white granulated sugar is the best choice for nectar. While raw sugars and natural sweeteners like honey contain beneficial nutrients, they also have higher water content. This throws off the ideal one-to-four ratio. Additionally, home-brewed nectar made with raw sugar tends to grow mold more easily. For the easiest, safest homemade hummingbird food, stick with plain white table sugar.
No Food Coloring
Some commercial nectars contain red food coloring. This is totally unnecessary for attracting hummingbirds. While the birds do prefer flowers that are red, orange or pink, they are attracted by the shape and fragrance, not the color itself. When eating, hummingbirds use their sense of smell to follow nectar, not their eyesight.
Adding food coloring to homemade nectar provides no benefit and can actually be harmful to hummingbird health. Stick to plain sugar water for your feeders.
Only Mix What You Need
When hummingbirds are active and feeding, you may need to refill feeders with fresh nectar daily or even multiple times per day. However, you should avoid the temptation to mix up large batches of nectar that will sit for days. Only make as much food as your feeders require for a 24-hour period.
This tip minimizes waste and prevents the growth of dangerous molds in your nectar. Unused solutions should be discarded and replaced with a freshly mixed batch each day.
| Amount of Nectar Needed | Sugar | Water |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 1⁄4 cup | 3⁄4 cup |
| 2 cups | 1⁄2 cup | 1 1⁄2 cups |
| 3 cups | 3⁄4 cup | 2 1⁄4 cups |
This handy chart shows measurements for mixing up small, single-day batches of hummingbird nectar.
Storage Containers
To avoid contamination and spoilage, nectar should always be mixed and stored in clean containers reserved specifically for this purpose. Never use old milk jugs or storage bottles that contained other food or chemicals. Even trace amounts left behind could negatively impact your hummingbird solution.
For mixing and storing nectar, glass and plastic containers are fine choices. Glass is best, but high-quality plastics work too. Just look for types labeled BPA-free and specifically made for food use. Wash and thoroughly rinse containers after each use.
Refrigeration
Freshly mixed hummingbird nectar can be kept in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours at most. The chilly temperatures slow down microbial growth, extending the shelf life slightly. This allows you to mix a larger batch that lasts for a couple days. However, even refrigerated nectar should be discarded and replaced after two days.
Here are some refrigerator tips for hummingbird nectar:
- Fill containers nearly to the top to minimize air exposure.
- Use lids or coverings that seal tightly.
- Store nectar toward the back of the fridge where temperatures are coolest.
- Keep nectar away from fresh produce which emits ethylene gas that promotes spoilage.
Also, remember to remove refrigerated nectar several hours before filling feeders so it has time to return to an ambient temperature that hummingbirds prefer.
Freezing
For longer storage, homemade nectar can be frozen for up to two months. Again, this stops microbial growth in its tracks. Thaw frozen nectar in the refrigerator before using it in your feeders. Just remember to never put out nectar that is still slushy or partially frozen as this could harm the hummingbirds.
Empty Feeders Frequently
Even with the most carefully mixed fresh nectar, you’ll need to empty and clean your feeders on a regular basis. Leftover liquid inside will still eventually spoil. Every two to three days, take feeders apart, rinse with hot water, and let all components air dry completely before refilling.
Be vigilant about looking for any signs of mold or cloudiness, which indicate spoilage. If you spot any fuzziness, darker specks or strange changes in the nectar’s appearance, immediately empty and thoroughly clean the feeder before refilling with a fresh batch.
Number of Feeders
Have more feeders available than you think you need. Rotate empties out after cleaning so the hummingbirds always have access to fresh nectar. More feeders means you can take some down for scrubbing while leaving at least one clean feeder still hanging up.
Clean Premises
Also, keep the areas around and below your feeders free of old, rotting nectar drips. Change out any food-caked flowers or decorative additions. This helps prevent bacteria from contaminating fresher supplies.
Nectar Additives
Some commercial nectar products include various supplements added to the simple sugar-water base. These are designed to provide nutrients, electrolytes, and proteins. However, plain white sugar dissolves easily and offers all the energy hummingbirds need. Any other additions are unnecessary.
In fact, additives like vitamins, electrolytes, colors, and preservatives may even be unsafe at the concentrated levels reached in nectar. A 2013 study found that additives caused dangerous diuresis and death in hummingbirds.
Likewise, never add any artificial sweeteners, honey, or fruit juices to homemade solutions. Stick to basic one-part sugar and four-parts water for optimal hummingbird health and to prevent spoilage.
No Insecticides
Also, avoid using insecticides close to hummingbird feeders. Any airborne residues can mix into the nectar and make birds sick. Follow organic pest control methods in areas frequented by hummingbirds.
Watch for Fermentation
One final hazard to watch out for is fermented nectar. In hot weather, bacteria can turn sugary water into alcohol surprisingly fast. This leaves the liquid with a cloudy, frothy appearance and vinegar-like scent. Fermented nectar can severely dehydrate hummingbirds and damage their nervous systems.
To avoid this dangerous situation:
- Mix only small amounts of food at a time
- Refrigerate extra unused portions
- Keep feeders shaded from sun
- Change nectar every 2-3 days in warm temperatures
With extra care and attention, you can maintain fresh, uncontaminated nectar that nourishes hummingbirds without making them sick. Follow the tips above and enjoy watching these tiny acrobats thrive.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds have high metabolisms and need to consume significant amounts of nutrient-rich nectar throughout the day. By taking steps to prevent spoilage in homemade solutions, you can provide these special birds with the fuel they require. Use the proper sugar-to-water ratio, limit mixing quantities, refrigerate extra supplies, and change feeders frequently. Avoid additives and anything that might contaminate the nectar. With some extra care, your hummingbirds will be buzzing happily around the yard all season long.
