How to Make Homemade Hummingbird Nectar

If you attract hummingbirds or are thinking about attracting hummingbirds to your yard, you need to know what hummingbirds are attracted to. Because the hummingbird has a high metabolism, they eat a great deal during the day. During the day you can find hummingbirds enjoying nectar from flowers and a few insects. You can also find hummingbirds eating from feeders across the country. The nectar that is in feeders are either purchased nectar or homemade nectar. I am going to show you how to make homemade hummingbird nectar that is easy and affordable and will keep hummingbirds returning to your feeders day by day and year by year. Updated February 24, 2011

Things You'll Need

  • Hummingbird feeder
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Pitcher
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Instructions

    • 1

      You want to purchase a Hummingbird feeder. They are not at all expensive. I purchased a hummingbird feeder from Walmart for under $10.00. I know Lowe's carries them also. You may be able to find one at Walgreens too.

      You can buy Hummingbird feeders that hang, or can be applied to a window or glass door and they even have some hummingbird feeders that can be stuck in the ground.

    • 2

      Buy or use a pitcher to make and store your homemade hummingbird nectar in. If you have kids in the house, it may be a good idea to label the nectar as such so that the kids will not drink it. Not that anything will happen to them, but it might make them very hyper.

    • 3

      Mix 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in the pitcher or container. Make sure it is mixed well. You can store the nectar in the refrigerator for several days. Some people boil the water and then add sugar, but I have never done that. I use cool water and just make sure the sugar is completely mixed. I have never seen a hummingbird turn away my nectar.

      You do not have to put red dye in the water. Most feeders have the color red on them which is said to attract hummingbirds, so do not add any artificial colors because it could harm the birds.

    • 4

      Fill up the hummingbird feeder with your homemade nectar and store the rest in the refrigerator. Your homemade nectar should last for up to 2 weeks.

    • 5

      Place your hummingbird feeder in a shaded area of your yard. If you do not have shade, you can still place your feeder outside but you may have to change the nectar more often. If you see your nectar is cloudy in the feeder or has black mold, you need to dump it and wash the feeder out real good and place fresh homemade nectar in it. You can clean your feeder out with some warm water and a little bleach.

    • 6

      Enjoy feeding your hummingbirds and don't forget to view my other hummingbird articles in the resources section. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will try and respond as quickly as I can. Enjoy the birds!!!