Hummingbird Sugar Water 101

Hummingbird Sugar Water Recipe

If you haven’t memorized the recipe yet for hummingbird sugar water, then now is the time. Combine four parts hot water to one part sugar. Mix it up until it’s completely dissolved. Once it cools to room temperature, it’s ready. Follow these expert tips to attract more hummingbirds.

To Boil or Not to Boil

Using really hot water will usually suffice to dissolve the sugar. However, if you plan on making extra hummingbird sugar water to store in the fridge or you have so-so water quality, then it’s best to boil.

Courtesy Marc Fahringer

Don’t Add Honey

Some people like to come up with creative ways to sweeten their sugar water without sugar, and the most common stand-in is honey. Honey can make your sugar-water mixture ferment more quickly. Skip the honey, and stick to sugar.

Skip the Red Food Coloring 

Even though every bird expert seems to agree that you don’t need red dye, people still add it to their sugar water. You also see companies offering pre-made hummingbird sugar water that is red. If this is you, don’t feel bad—but it’s time to break this habit once and for all. You don’t need red water to attract hummingbirds. In fact, the food coloring could be bad for the birds (scientists are still figuring this one out). Either way, it’s not worth the risk. Hummingbirds love these colorful flowers.

Keep It Clean

Hummingbird sugar water eventually goes bad, unless you’re lucky enough to have a busy feeder that the hummingbirds quickly empty. You should be in the habit of changing it every few days or even sooner if it’s really hot outside. Also, don’t forget to clean your feeders regularly. Mold can collect, so you want to make sure you’re offering hummingbirds clean, safe water.

Add a Second Hummingbird Feeder

Add another sugar water feeder in late summer when migration increases. This will help keep territorial male hummingbirds from fighting for space.

Stick to Real Sugar

It’s always best to stick with real sugar in your hummingbird feeders. Say no to sugar substitutes. Here’s how to attract hummingbirds to your balcony.

Hummingbird Feeder Maintenance

Need clever tips for cleaning the nooks and crannies of hummingbird sugar water feeders? Our readers can help. “I rinse my feeders with vinegar, and they stay clean. I rinse them every time I change the food. It’s so easy and works well,” says Mattie Stillwell of Tenaha, Texas. “I keep a box of parakeet gravel on hand to clean my feeders. Put a couple teaspoons in the feeder with warm water, then swirl and rise. It cleans the toughest mold,” says Sally Brovold Kulm of North Dakota.