Be mindful though that surrounding trees and shrubs give predators cover so it may not be the best choice in your garden. The feeder needs to be somewhere the hummingbirds will see it and feel safe using it.īecause sugar water can spoil quickly in heat, it’s ideal if the feeder is located in a shady spot. Should hummingbird feeders be in sun or shade? Hummingbirds have minimal or no sense of smell so, as far as we know, it’s a myth that they smell the sugar.Hummingbirds find feeders by sight and that is why red feeders-the same color as some of their favorite nectar flowers- are a helpful signal to them that nectar may be available.Durability: if the feeder has a dispenser bottle, I prefer glass to plastic which tends to be short-lived and fades in the sun.Īlso, if you find a feeder you really like, buy a few! I rarely see my favorites year after year so I stock up when I can.Perch for hummingbirds to rest while dining (to conserve energy).Easy to clean: can everything come apart and be scrubbed clean?.Large bottle feeders end up wasting a lot of food. It’s best to provide small batches in small feeders and clean them frequently. Sugar water spoils quickly-the hotter the weather, the faster it spoils. Place any leftover mixture in jar with tight lid and store in fridge up to 5 days. Leave mixture to cool to room temperature before adding to feeder. How long do I boil sugar water for hummingbirds?Īllow mixture to gently boil for at least 5 minutes to completely dissolve sugar. If you want to save this recipe, grab a copy of the tip sheet here. Extra Large batch: 2 cups sugar: 8 cups water.Medium batch: 1/2 cup sugar: 2 cups water.Small batch: 1/4 cup sugar: 1 cup water.Tiny batch: 1/8 cup sugar: 1/2 cup water. 2 Boil Sugar and WaterĪdd 1-part sugar and 4-parts water to saucepan and bring to a boil. Have hummingbird feeders clean and ready. Is tap water safe for hummingbirds? It depends on your water quality.īoiling is recommended to help reduce the chance of any contaminants in the water and to dissolve the sugar.Īvoid using softened water. These items can cause a range of problems including bird illness, rapid bacteria and fungi growth, and the potential spread of disease. Organic, natural, and raw sugars (can be too high in iron).White granulated sugar (the same kind you use for baking).
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