I always love May here in the Green Mountain State. The snow is almost fully melted; kids can be seen playing on stubborn snow mounds in shorts and tee-shirts; flowers are starting to bloom; and birds are singing their happy song. Sometimes it sounds like a rural jungle outside with all the sounds of the wild. The hummingbirds make their comeback in May, which is something I always look forward to as a true sign of summer approaching. It’s the optimal time to learn how to make hummingbird food to ensure they find their home right in your yard.
Making this easy DIY Homemade hummingbird food is incredibly simple, requiring only two ingredients. A much better alternative to store-bought options filled with additives and dyes. Here you’ll learn the proper ratio of this two-ingredient recipe, how to make it step-by-step, and how to manage your feeders throughout the summer.
Why Make Your Own Hummingbird Food
I always love sitting on my deck watching the hummingbirds. We get quite a few around here when we keep our feeders full, and the kids always love to watch to see what color hummingbirds they’ll see.
One of the reasons I love to make my own hummingbird food, is how fun it is to watch them whiz through yard, zipping in and out of the flower bushes and flying right past us on the deck. So close in fact that we could reach up and touch one if we were fast enough.
So, why make your own hummingbird food?
- It is the closest to natural nectar.
- There are no preservatives, chemicals, or dyes.
- You will attract more hummingbirds to your yard.
Ingredients for Hummingbird Food:
- 1 Cup of sugar
- 4 cups of water
Steps to make hummingbird food
Step 1: Bring water to a boil
Step 2: Pour the sugar into the water and stir until it dissolves.
Step 3: Let the hummingbird food cool completely
When it has cooled completely you can pour the hummingbird food into the feeder.
FQAs
Can I use tap water
Yes, you can use tap water, you just have to boil it first.
Can I use something other than granulated sugar?
No, you have to use granulated sugar. Doing so will harm a hummingbird’s health.
How soon can I expect to see hummingbirds?
If you have hummingbirds in your area, they will usually find your feeders in one to two days. If they already frequent your yard, they will find it much sooner. Check out this Migration Map to see where they have been sighted.
What time of day do hummingbirds feed?
Hummingbirds can be seen all day. They will feed in the morning all through the day until about dusk.
Do I have to boil the water?
Boiling the water removes any impurities or bacteria. I strongly suggest boiling first. I have tried using very hot water, and I have found the hummingbirds don’t prefer it as much as when I boil. This will interfere with how the sugar dissolves too.
Can I use powdered sugar?
No. Powdered sugar contains other additives like cornstarch that can be harmful to hummingbirds. It can also create cloudy nectar that spoils faster. It is best to stick to granulated sugar.
If you enjoy this post let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you.
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