This homemade hummingbird nectar will keep your hummingbirds healthy, happy, and coming back for more! This 2 ingredient recipe, that replicates the sucrose content of nectar producing flowers, takes just 10 minutes!
When to look for hummingbirds to arrive
Where I live, in the midwest, hummingbirds arrive late April to early May. In the northern US, look for them to arrive mid May to early June. The coastal areas, south Texas, Arizona, Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America enjoy hummingbirds year round.
How to attract hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are attracted to red, but don’t use any food coloring. It could be harmful to them. Attract them with some red flowers nearby or get a feeder with with red accents.
Offering a consistent source of food will also attract hummingbirds. Keep your feeder clean and full, and plant flowers nearby that bloom at different times.
For more tips on attracting hummingbirds, visit The Ultimate Guide For Attracting Hummingbirds.
How to make hummingbird nectar
This super easy recipe replicates the sucrose content of nectar producing flowers. In a saucepan, mix together 1 part pure white cane sugar and 4 parts water. Boil, cool, and fill your feeder.
According to the hummingbird society, it is best for the hummingbirds if pure white cane sugar is used, although beet sugar would be an acceptable alternative. Regular sugar has small amounts of molasses, which is toxic to hummingbirds.
Store the remaining nectar in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
When to put your feeder out
It’s best to have your feeder filled earlier rather than later. If they don’t find food, they’ll move on, however, once they locate your feeder they will visit each year.
When to change out the nectar
The warmer the weather, the more often you will need to change the nectar. In cooler temperatures, you could change it once a week, but when it gets above 60-70 degrees it will need to be changed every 3-4 days.
How to keep insects away
There are several ways to help keep insects away from your feeder:
- choose a no insect feeder
- avoid yellow feeders as wasps and bees are attracted to yellow
- keep the feeder clean
- keep the feeder in a shaded area
- hang your feeder from an insect moat
When to remove the feeder
There is a myth that says if you leave the feeder out in the Fall the birds will not migrate south. The truth is, hummingbirds instinctively know when to migrate and having the feeder available in the Fall ensures that they will have food sources available for refueling on their journey.
It’s best to keep the feeder available for 1-2 weeks after the last bird has been seen.
By keeping your feeder full of fresh nectar, you should be able to enjoy watching those adorable little hummingbirds until mid October when they migrate south.
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Hummingbird Nectar
Ingredients
- 1 cup pure white cane sugar or beet sugar
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- In a saucepan dissolve the sugar into the water
- Bring to boil
- Remove from heat and allow to cool
- Fill feeder and store remaining nectar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
24 Responses
Where does the red color come from?
The only recIpe I saw was raw sugar and water.
Yes, you are correct. The feeder is made from red colored glass, making the nectar appear to be red.
Very helpful and interesting stuff thanks for everyone’s tips
I’ve used grenadine in the past. Is that OK? I made my own moats with spray paint can lids and cut clothes hangers. Heat the tip of the coat hanger, poke it through the cap and VIOLA!! A homemade moat!! (I seal the bottom of the hole with caulking so no leakage).
I’ve used the juice from a jar of Cherry’s for making it red.They love it ..I don’t think its harmfully,is it?
I’m not sure about using the juice from a jar of cherries. I would err on the side of caution and maybe buy a red feeder. Here’s a link to an article that attempts to address the subject https://littlethings.com/pets/hummingbirds-never-red-nectar.
I just bought that exact feeder at Menards yesterday.
Thanks for the info abt how to feed my hummingbird feeder
You’re welcome, Sharon! Thanks for taking time to comment😊
Enjoyed your posts. Thank you. Love that glass feeder. Anyone know where to get this particular one. I definitely suggest a moat. Ants do not like water. I coat the top hook with Vaseline and ants will not bother Keeping your feeder fairly full creates a vacuum and helps prevent your feeder from leaking It is so important to keep your feeders clean. If the nectar seems cloudy or has any bugs you need to clean it. I clean and change every two days because I do not have a lot of shade Only use water and dish detergent to clean your feeders and a toothbrush to clean the small crevices is handy. Those of you who have these little jewels around all year are so lucky. They bring so much joy. Teaching us to enjoy the smaller things in life They are truly gifts. Cheers everyone
Thanks for the kind words and the really great information! I’m pretty sure I bought that feeder from Amazon. It’s been awhile, but they have some really nice glass feeders to choose from. Enjoy watching the hummingbirds!
I saw quite a few glass, and red, feeders ar Walmart – inexpensive
Just wanted to let you all know that if you put a cork underneath your hummingbird feeder with a hook and then hook it to a cup such as hairspray cup fill it with water hang the hummingbird feeder under it and Aunt will not get in there
Great tip, thank you Angela!
I use warm water to dissolve the raw sugar, I do not cook.
my feeders are always busy & I store extra in the frig. NEVER food coloring
That’s a great point! I have found that as long as the sugar is completely dissolved, the hummingbirds are happy. I completely agree about the food coloring!
What a GREAT post-Niki! I never knew that wasps and bees love yellow. I think Hummingbirds are so fascinating! Thanks so much for all your tips.
Am a 55 year old SAHM.I can vouch for this recipe!But,if there are ants anywhere in the area,they also love this nectar.Made this both in Wisconsin and Arizona.Definately change frequently!It will get really gross ,moldy,stinky,NASTY.I lost my “recipe” literally I just mentioned it and here it is!?Thanks,as we have many varieties of hummingbirds in Az.Photos!!!
Teri, thank you for your comment! Ants are definitely a problem. I have found that if I keep my feeder clean and free of any leaks it helps to keep the ants away. Happy hummingbird watching!
May I put a couple drops of freshly boiled beet juice?
Unfortunately beet juice is high in iron, which could be harmful to hummingbirds. I wouldn’t recommend doing that.
I found that if I put a small ring of vegetable oil on the top of my hummingbird feeder and a little bit on whatever I’m hanging it from the ants won’t bother it.
What’s a hairspray cup? And loved this recipe and the tips in the comments 🙂
A hairspray cup refers to the cap on an aerosol can of hairspray. Any small container that can be filled with water to create a moat will work.