The Do’s and Don’ts of Feeding Hummingbirds
They are a favorite bird for many of us, those zipping, tiny little gems. But did you know what you might be doing or not doing at home could be harmful to them?
Using native plants…
The best source of nectar for hummingbirds comes from native plants in our yards. They gravitate towards plants with long, narrow, tubular red flowers like scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), phlox (Phlox paniculata), and red buckeye (Aesculus pavia). There are many others, just check to make sure what you are planting is native to your area.
Using a hummingbird feeder…
If you decide to use a hummingbird feeder, make sure to follow these guidelines in order to keep the hummingbirds safe and healthy…
Do use a ratio or 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Bring the water to a boil, add the sugar and stir until it is dissolved. Allow the solution to cool. Once cooled, fill your feeders. and refrigerate the rest.
Don’t use organic, brown, or raw sugar, only refined white sugar.
Don’t use honey or any sugar substitutes.
Don’t add red dye to your sugar solution. A red feeder or red ribbon on your feeder is enough.
Do clean your feeder regularly. When it is hot it is advised to clean them with hot water every other day keep mold from growing. During cooler temperatures, twice a week is recommended. Use a brush to clean the ports too.
Do change the nectar regularly to keep the sugar from fermenting or going bad. During the heat of the summer, the nectar should be changed 1-2 days.
Do hang the feeder away from windows and at least 4 feet off the ground to keep it out of reach of predators.