If red food coloring is dangerous for hummingbirds, why can't I ever find the clear nectar?

Question

I would think that sugar that has been bleached would be more dangerous for them, but I am not buying "sugar in the raw" to feed hummingbirds with! :-D

Also-

Are the red nectars sold in the stores actually bad for hummers, or are they just saying that?

Answer 1

As far as anyone has proven, the red dye does not actually hurt the hummers...

HOWEVER it most certainly isnt necessary, and is only there for human eyes.

Answer 2

Make your own it's easy! 1/4 cup of regular white sugar mixed with 1 cup of water. Heat on the stove until it starts boiling and all sugar is dissolved. Don't over boil or it will turn into syrup. Let cool and put into a clean feeder. Make sure the feeder is clean as mold can grow in the nectar that is harmfull to the little hummers. Good Luck.

Answer 3

We have been feeding hummingbirds for years. We make our own using 1 gallon of water to 1 cup regular granulated sugar. Boil it to disolve the sugar, let it cool and put it in the feeders. It does NOT have to be colored. The red (or yellow) on the feeder is what attracts the hummingbirds anyhow. Oh yeah, change the water every week or it will start growing bacteria and spoil

Answer 4

You can make your own nectar....4 parts water to 3 parts sugar. Use boiling water or very hot to dissolve sugar. You can do smaller amounts like one part sugar to one part water for stronger nectar.

Answer 5

The red food dye that is bad for them is the kind we use in our cooking or to dye Easter eggs.

The red nectar you buy in the store just for hummingbirds is safe.
I love them too. :)

Answer 6

Food colorinng will kill the hummers! Use just sugarwater and eventuall they will show up. You can also use a bright color container that would attract them.

Answer 7

I think if there is a question of this it would to be better to plant the trumpet vines, and bottlebrush and red blossomed pinapple sage that they love anyway