Hummingbird nectar, also known as hummingbird food, is an important food source for hummingbirds. It typically consists of white granulated sugar dissolved in water, at a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. This nectar simulates the natural nectar that hummingbirds obtain from flowers. Because it lacks preservatives, homemade hummingbird food has a relatively short shelf life. Knowing how long it lasts can help hummingbird enthusiasts prepare fresh nectar as needed to support local hummingbird populations.
Does hummingbird food go bad?
Yes, hummingbird food can go bad. Like other sugar-water mixtures without preservatives, homemade hummingbird nectar is prone to spoilage by bacteria and yeast. Signs that hummingbird food has spoiled include:
- Cloudiness
- Moldy appearance
- Fermented smell
Consuming spoiled nectar can make hummingbirds sick. So it’s important to follow proper storage guidelines and look for signs of spoilage before feeding hummingbirds.
How long does hummingbird food last at room temperature?
Hummingbird nectar lasts only 1-2 days at room temperature. The sugar in the nectar provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and mold at warmer temperatures. Nectar left out for longer than a day in typical indoor conditions should be discarded and replaced.
Leaving hummingbird food out for extended periods also increases the risk of attracting ants, bees, and other unwanted pests. For optimal freshness and safety, homemade nectar should not be left at room temperature for more than 24 hours.
How long does hummingbird food last in the refrigerator?
Properly stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, hummingbird food can last 5-7 days. The cool environment of the refrigerator dramatically slows the growth of spoilage organisms.
However, some fermentation and dilution of the sugar can still occur over time. So while homemade nectar keeps longer in the fridge, it’s still best to replace it within a week.
Here are some tips for maximizing the shelf life of hummingbird nectar in the fridge:
- Use freshly boiled or distilled water
- Use white refined sugar only
- Fill clean nectar containers leaving minimal air space
- Refrigerate immediately after mixing & filling containers
- Keep refrigerated until ready to use
Following proper sanitation and storage allows homemade nectar to stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How about the shelf life of commercial hummingbird food?
Commercially made powdered and concentrated hummingbird nectar products have a longer shelf life than homemade nectar. Shelf-stable powdered nectar concentrates can last up to 2 years unopened or up to 1 year after opening when stored in a cool, dry place.
The brand Nektar Plus advertises their concentrated nectar as lasting 3 years unopened. Once diluted with water following package instructions, refrigerated premade liquid nectar can last 2-3 weeks.
Here are approximate shelf lives for different types of commercial hummingbird food products:
| Product Type | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
| Powdered nectar concentrate | Up to 2 years | Up to 1 year |
| Premade concentrated liquid nectar | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 weeks after diluting |
The extended shelf life results from added preservatives and the sterilized commercial manufacturing process. This allows commercially made nectar to stay fresh longer once opened compared to homemade nectar.
What temperature should hummingbird nectar be?
Hummingbirds prefer their nectar at room temperature. In the wild, the nectar in flowers is naturally warmed by ambient temperatures.
If the nectar is too cold, hummingbirds will be less likely to feed. Refrigerated nectar may need to be left out for up to an hour on hot days or several hours on cool days to lose its chill before hummingbirds will feed from it.
Leaving nectar out too long though can shorten its shelf life. A good practice is to mix a fresh batch and let it sit on the counter to lose its chill for 1-2 hours before putting it in the feeder. Then refresh with a new batch daily.
The ideal temperature for hummingbird nectar is between 60-80°F. This provides an appealing, room temperature nectar.
Does freezing extend the shelf life of hummingbird food?
Freezing is not an effective method for extending the shelf life of hummingbird nectar. Hummingbirds do not have a feeding response to frozen or partly frozen nectar.
Additionally, freezing and thawing nectar can cause separation of ingredients, dilution of sugars, and growth of bacteria. Thawed nectar may appear curdled or have an altered taste that deters hummingbird feeding.
For longest shelf life of homemade nectar, proper refrigeration is better than freezing. Commercially made nectar concentrates and premade nectar can last over a year without freezing due to added preservatives.
What is the ideal sugar to water ratio for hummingbird nectar?
The accepted ideal concentration for hummingbird nectar is 1 part sugar dissolved into 4 parts water by volume. This produces a 20% sugar solution that approximates the average sugar content of natural flower nectars.
White cane sugar is commonly recommended, but plain white table sugar also works well. Other alternatives like organic cane sugar, beet sugar, or stevia can be used.
Avoid using any sugars containing additives, especially red food coloring, which can be harmful to hummingbirds. Honey or any other food item should also not be added to the nectar.
Here is a simple recipe for hummingbird nectar using the standard 1:4 sugar ratio:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 cups fresh water
Boil the water first, then stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Let cool before filling feeders. This makes enough nectar for several refills of a typical feeder.
Can you make hummingbird food without boiling?
It’s possible but not recommended. Boiling the water used for hummingbird nectar is beneficial for:
- Killing any bacteria or yeast in the water
- Allowing the sugar to fully dissolve
- Driving off volatile compounds like chlorine
These effects help prolong the shelf life of the homemade nectar. If not boiled, the water should at least be distilled or purified by filtration to minimize microorganisms.
Without boiling, the sugar will also take longer to dissolve. Refrigeration becomes even more important for chilling the nectar quickly before bacteria multiply if the water is not pasteurized by boiling first.
Ultimately, boiling makes a safer nectar that will last longer in the refrigerator than nectar made without boiling. It’s a simple step worth taking to protect hummingbird health.
Can you reuse unused hummingbird nectar?
Leftover nectar should not be reused after being placed in a feeder. Nectar in the feeder is exposed to air, light, and bird saliva, which dramatically reduces shelf life.
Even nectar not yet placed outside in a feeder should not be reused if it is more than 5-7 days old. Old nectar can quickly spoil once exposed to air in the feeder.
To avoid waste, only mix as much fresh hummingbird food as you expect birds to eat within a few days. Unused portions should be discarded after 3-5 days and fresh nectar mixed.
With proper refrigeration, nectar lasts 5-7 days. So mix only what will be used during that timeframe. Monitoring the feeder allows gauging the right amounts to mix at a time.
Can you refill hummingbird feeders without cleaning?
It’s advisable to clean hummingbird feeders before refilling with fresh nectar. Used nectar can leave residue containing microbes that will rapidly multiply in fresh nectar. This can decrease shelf life and safety.
Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned thoroughly every time they are refilled, or at minimum every 2-3 days. Hot water and white vinegar or a very mild soap solution can be used.
Cleaning steps include:
- Discard old nectar
- Rinse feeder with hot tap water
- Scrub inside surfaces with bottle brush
- Soak in hot vinegar-water or mild soap solution
- Rinse again thoroughly
- Air dry fully before refilling
Following these basic cleaning practices helps maintain hygienic nectar that is safe for hummingbirds.
Conclusion
In summary, homemade hummingbird nectar made with white sugar and water has a shelf life of:
- 1-2 days at room temperature
- 5-7 days refrigerated
For optimal safety and freshness, nectar should be stored in the refrigerator and replaced every 5-7 days. Only mix as much as birds will consume during that timeframe.
Feeders should be cleaned fully before refilling with fresh nectar. With proper handling, homemade solutions can provide the nutrition hummingbirds need during the times of year they visit feeders.
