2006-09-30 13:19:12 · 7 answers · asked by tapping toes 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Ingredients
1 cup of boiling water
1/4 cup of sugar (white sugar works fine)
A few drops of red food coloring
Instructions
The basic recipe is four parts water to one part sugar. You may find that the sugar crystals dissolve best in boiling water. Remember to allow the water to cool sufficiently before hanging the feeder back in its position outside. Any left over sugar-water can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.
Nectar should be replaced once a week if possible and more often in the summer, though depending on the climate, you may be able to get away with only replacing once every few weeks. It's best to locate the feeder in the shade. Always clean your hummingbird feeder with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly each time you replace the nectar
2006-09-30 13:23:53 · answer #1 · answered by cin_ann_43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is correct about the sugar water, no need for the food coloring, the red feeder does the trick. I have 30+ hummers that come to my place year after year (yes, they will come back to the same place if it was hospitable) so they keep me busy keeping the feeders full. With that many of them I have learned they are very territorial so if you get several coming you'll need more than one feeder. I have 6 feeders right now and have had to place them out of sight of each other because if a male sees another male at 1 one the feeders he'll go after him. They are the most entertaining little creatures so good luck and if you don't get them the first year don't give up. It might take a couple of trys before they accept you and where you live.
2006-10-01 01:14:33 · answer #2 · answered by patti duke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Don't waste time with red food coloring, instead get a red colored feeder.
Hope this helps.
2006-09-30 22:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by genericman1998 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 cups water 1 cup sugar heat the mixture to blend,cool it and fill your feeder....You don't need the red color .Most hummer feeders have red on them to attract the bird. Good Luck !
2006-09-30 20:27:25 · answer #4 · answered by javajoe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, sugar water and red food coloring works. I have also used "koolaid". It didn't seem to hurt them they actual liked it more:)Hope it helps you.
2006-10-01 00:26:58 · answer #5 · answered by Regina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much sugar water will do the trick...
2006-09-30 20:25:23 · answer #6 · answered by Double Nickels 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes sugar water is what they drink
2006-09-30 20:23:54 · answer #7 · answered by slezywoman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋