Hummingbirds are remarkable little birds that are a joy to watch. Their fast wing beats and acrobatic maneuvers make them fascinating to observe. Many people enjoy attracting hummingbirds to their yards by setting up feeders. While it’s easy to buy pre-made hummingbird nectar from stores, making your own can be more cost effective if you only need a small amount. Read on to learn how to make a small batch of hummingbird food that will have these tiny birds buzzing around your yard in no time!
What Do Hummingbirds Eat?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and the tiny insects they find inside flowers. Their long slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for slurping up sugary nectar.
While hummingbirds will visit backyard gardens, providing specialized artificial nectar in feeders is the best way to consistently attract them. The ideal homemade nectar closely mimics the natural nectar found in flowers.
Basic Ingredients
The basic ingredients for homemade hummingbird food are:
- White refined sugar
- Water
That’s it! The nectar does not need anything else added to it. Do not use brown sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, or additives. Plain white sugar dissolved in water makes the best hummingbird nectar.
Sugar to Water Ratio
The ideal ratio for homemade hummingbird food is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. This ratio approximates the natural nectar in flowers.
Too much sugar can be harmful to hummingbirds. It is important not to make the solution too concentrated.
So for one cup of sugar, you should mix in four cups of water. You can adjust this ratio up or down as needed to make more or less nectar.
How to Make a Small Batch
The smallest practical amount of hummingbird nectar to make is one cup. This provides enough food for a couple of hummingbird feedings.
To make one cup of nectar:
- Measure 1⁄4 cup of white sugar into a small pot.
- Add 1 cup of water to the pot.
- Heat the mixture over medium, stirring frequently, until the sugar fully dissolves. Bring just to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Allow the nectar to cool to room temperature.
- Pour the nectar into a clean hummingbird feeder.
The feeder should then be hung in a shady location where hummingbirds can easily access it. Be sure to clean and replace the nectar every 2-3 days, or when it looks cloudy.
Tips for Making Hummingbird Nectar
Here are some helpful tips to follow when concocting homemade hummingbird food:
- Use cane or beet sugar rather than processed sugars like high-fructose corn syrup.
- Avoid using honey or artificial sweeteners which provide no nutritional value.
- Do not add red food coloring. This can be harmful to hummingbirds.
- Boil the mixture for 1-2 minutes max to fully dissolve the sugar and kill any bacteria.
- Let the nectar cool before filling the feeder so you don’t melt plastic feeders.
- Store extra nectar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Discard any that looks cloudy.
- Wash the feeder thoroughly before refilling it.
Follow these steps and tips, and your homemade hummingbird nectar will provide a tasty treat hummingbirds will come back to again and again.
Troubleshooting
Here are some common issues that can arise when making your own hummingbird nectar and how to deal with them:
Sugar crystals forming
If you see white sugar crystals forming in your nectar, the solution is too concentrated. Add more water to dilute it. Heat it up again to dissolve any lingering crystals.
Cloudy nectar
Cloudiness means bacteria or yeast is growing in the nectar. Discard it and make a fresh batch. Be sure to thoroughly clean the feeder. Consider adding bleach.
Fermentation
In hot weather, nectar can ferment quickly. This makes it unhealthy for hummingbirds. Toss fermented nectar and clean the feeder. Use boiled water when mixing to help prevent fermentation.
Mold
If you spot mold in the feeder or nectar, dump everything out. Scrub the feeder to remove all traces of mold. Remake the nectar and be vigilant about changing it out more frequently.
Ants
Ants love sugar too! Place feeders in locations where ants can’t reach them or use ant moats to block their access. Wiping down the hanging area helps too.
Following proper nectar making technique and cleaning procedures will minimize these common issues. Don’t get discouraged if you run into problems now and then.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use artificial sweeteners?
No, do not use artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Equal. They provide no nutritional value for hummingbirds. Plain white sugar is best.
Is food coloring necessary?
No, food coloring is not necessary and can actually be harmful. Hummingbirds are attracted by the nectar itself and have excellent color vision.
What is the best sugar to use?
Plain white cane or beet sugar is ideal. Do not use brown sugar, honey, agave, or other substitutes which alter the taste.
How often should I change the nectar?
Nectar should be changed every 2-3 days in hot weather and every 5 days in cooler temps. Change it when it looks dirty or cloudy.
Can I use organic sugar?
Yes, you can use organic cane sugar. Just be sure it is still refined white sugar without added ingredients.
Should the water be boiled first?
Boiling the water first isn’t strictly necessary but can help the sugar dissolve and remove impurities. Just be sure the nectar cools before filling the feeder.
Conclusion
Making your own hummingbird nectar is simple and affordable. With just white sugar and water combined in a 1:4 ratio, you can whip up nectar that provides the same nutrition as natural flower nectar. Follow basic safety tips like boiling the mix and cleaning feeders regularly to prevent issues.
The smallest practical batch is 1 cup of sugar mixed with 4 cups of water. This provides enough for a couple of feedings. Scale up as needed to keep your feeder stocked so hummingbirds will frequent your yard all season long. With proper care and maintenance, you can successfully make your own hummingbird nectar.
