Hummingbird Tips

 

• Keep nectar fresh by changing it every 2-3 days especially if the temperature is over 80 degrees. Otherwise, nectar will ferment.

• Red food coloring is NOT needed and could be harmful to the hummingbirds. (No research has been done to see if the dye is safe for birds.) So please use only clear nectar.

• It is not necessary to buy ready-made nectar. You can make your own nectar by mixing one part sugar to four parts water. Please do not use honey or artifical sweeteners in your nectar, this can kill the hummingbirds.

• Flush feeders when changing your nectar with hot tap water and clean with a bottle brush or add 2 T uncooked rice or sand to a small amount of water and shake vigorously.

• Once a month, clean feeders thoroughly with a solution of 1/4C bleach to 1 gallon water. Let your hummingbird feeder sit in this solution for about an hour then if necessary clean with a bottle brush. Rinse and allow the feeder to air-dry.

• Several small feeders will attract more hummers than one large feeder.

• You can attract hummers to your yard with feeders and/or planting nectar producing flowering plants. While hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, they feed from plants of all colors. Generally hummingbirds prefer tubular shaped flowers. (Native species tend to produce more nectar than hybrids) Some of their favorites include coral honeysuckle, trumpet vine, cardinal flower, jewel weed, and all salvia (sage) species.