Hummingbird Food
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Hummingbird feeder filled and ready to welcome scout hummingbirds back to North America. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)
Homemade Hummingbird Food
It’s time in mid-Missouri to put your hummingbird feeders out to attract the scout birds returning from Central and South America, where they spend winters.
It’s very easy to make homemade hummingbird food. It used to be one part sugar to 4 parts hot water, which still works for most of the year. More accurately, though, it should be equal weight to weight so the correct formula is one part sugar to 3 parts hot water. I make the thicker syrup in spring and fall to give them a little extra boost of carbs when they can use it, when they are migrating.
The trick is to use hot water, not boiling water.
You also should allow the sugar to get incorporated into the water and cool before placing in the hummingbird feeder.
No need to add red dye. The hummingbirds will find the feeder without the added color.
Now if your hummingbird syrup starts looking cloudy after being outside, it’s time to replace the sugar syrup. I replace the sugar syrup more frequently as temperatures get hotter.
Regularly wash your hummingbird feeder either in a light mixture of Dawn dishwashing soap or one part vinegar to two parts water. Scrub all of the parts to remove mold. Don’t use other soaps or they could contaminate your feeder.
Of all of the songbirds in the garden, hummingbirds are one of my favorite. Besides being beautiful and fun to watch, hummingbirds are also pollinators, helping plants reproduce.
Welcome back!
Charlotte
