Hotter temperatures (85 degrees or higher) ferment the nectar faster and if that is the case you should be changing it daily. Seriously though, it really depends on the outdoor temperatures. Hopefully you don’t have to change the nectar because you have so many hummingbirds drinking it that it is always empty -). Some people use diluted bleach but you have to make sure that you thoroughly rinse the feeder to make sure that all bleach has been removed. Then clean it with a bottle brush and rinse well with hot water. If you see any mold growing on it you will need to soak the feeder with vinegar and peroxide until the residue has been destroyed. Really you should rinse your feeder with hot water and/or clean with a bottle brush each time before you refill it. If it becomes cloudy or has mold or other growths in it you should empty the feeder and clean it out thoroughly. How do you know if your hummingbird nectar goes bad? If you are using the water and sugar recipe without the dye then your water should be fresh looking and clear. That is definitely not good for the hummingbird plus they probably won’t come to it anyway. It is a very good idea to keep an eye on your hummingbird feeder to make sure that your nectar doesn’t ferment and/or grow bacteria. Just a thought! Maintaining Your Hummingbird Feeders You can purchase 4 LBS of sugar for $1.99 and make your own which will make about two gallons of nectar. One brand that I found that was one of the cheaper ones on Amazon cost $5.06 which will make thirty two ounces of nectar. I have and they can be pretty expensive especially if you are replenishing the feeders all the time. That works if you are a busy person and do not have the time to boil sugar and water and wait for it to cool (as mentioned in the above recipe).īut here’s the thing! Have you ever priced the store bought next to the homemade version. ![]() All you have to do is add water the directions say and you are ready to go. They come in powdered mixes and in liquid form (red and clear). Of course you can also purchase the store bought nectar at any wild bird supply store. If your feeder does not have any color on it to attract the hummers then you can put a fake red flower or red ribbon on it. I think that it probably has to do with the fact that most hummingbird feeders have red flowers on them anyway (or any bright color for that matter) which hummingbirds are attracted to. ![]() We have been using plain sugar and water without red dye all along and hummingbirds still find our feeders. Secondly, you do not need red dye to attract hummingbirds. They say it is an artificial synthetic chemical that can be harmful for them (however there are no proven facts on it). ![]() There is no need to use any red dye or coloring because number one, experts say that it is not good for the hummingbirds. Really the Best Nectar Recipe that I found is a simple mix of sugar and water. The problem is that these mixtures only invite bacteria and fungus which is not good for the hummingbirds. ![]() The reason that I say this is because people have been known to make their homemade nectar with honey, corn syrup, and molasses, that they dilute with water. You heard that right…the best hummingbird nectar recipe. The best hummingbird nectar recipe is always used because hummingbirds absolutely love it plus it is very healthy for them. We have had our hummingbird feeders full with homemade nectar and hanging outside since the middle of April. This migration map from my post in March will give you more details as to how far they have migrated now. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been making their appearance in our gardens again and if you haven’t already you should put out your nectar feeders, that is if you want them in your yard.
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