About Water-Sugar Solution for a Hummingbird Feeder

Recipe

• The basic recipe for sugar water is four parts water to one part white cane sugar. For instance, 1/2 cup of sugar mixed into 2 cups of water.

  Plain tap or well water is the best choice for your sugar nectar. Distilled and purified waters lack natural minerals that are beneficial to hummingbirds. However, if you have softened water, you should dilute it with distilled water before using in your sugar solution--the softened water often contains so many minerals and salts that it can be harmful to the hummingbirds.

Methods of Preparation

• Two methods are suggested for preparing the sugar solution:

  1. Warm Water Preparation: Using very warm water, stir the sugar in with a whisk until dissolved. You can also use a container with a tight fitting lid and simply shake the solution until the sugar crystals have dissolved. Let the solution cool completely before adding to your feeder.

  2. Boiling Water Preparation: Bring the measured amount of water to a boil and boil for one to two minutes. Stir in the sugar and let the solution cool completely.

  Some experts prefer the boiling method to kill mold spores and slow the growth of bacteria that cause fermentation.

Maintenance

• Your sugar solution can be made up to a week in advance, but must be stored in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. If the solution turns cloudy or moldy, discard immediately and start fresh.

  Hummingbirds will not drink from feeders with spoiled sugar water, so monitor it closely and discard if it becomes cloudy. In warm weather, you may need to change the solution twice a week or more. Hanging your feeder in a shady area can help prevent fermentation of the sugar water.

  You will also need to perform maintenance on your feeder to preserve the integrity of the nectar. Clean it on a regular basis, and always clean it as soon as you spot signs of mold.

Other Types of Hummingbird Food

• Hummingbirds don't exist on sugar water alone. They also drink nectar from a variety of flowers, consume pollen, and eat a variety of insects and spiders.

  To provide an extra source of protein, you can try setting out bits of banana peel and over-ripe fruit to attract flies and other insects that hummingbirds like to consume.

Dos and Don'ts

• Don't use honey in your feeder--not only does it spoil quickly, but it contains a bacteria that can cause a fatal tongue disease.

  Don't use artificial sweeteners in place of cane sugar.

  Don't use food coloring or dyes to turn the sugar water red--your feeder will have all the color necessary to attract the birds.

  Do put just enough solution to last two or three days in your feeder at one time. Overfilling the feeder with extra solution just leads to fermented sugar-water.

  Do store your sugar water in the refrigerator.

  Do flush the feeder with warm water prior to refilling.

  Do empty the feeder completely when it's time to change the solution, and only refill with fresh sugar water.

  Do properly maintain your feeder. Perform a thorough feeder cleaning once a week, using one part vinegar to four parts water.