I'm not sure why the hummers are'nt enjoying my feeder, too weak....too strong? What is the best recipe? I've tried the store bought mixture & they dont like that either.
Hummingbird juice......best mix recipe?
1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Maybe you have given them so many flowers to enjoy that they do not need to visit the feeder as often. The hummers that own my front yard will not use a feeder there.
The store bought mixture is a waste of money. frogrus' recipe is correct. Boil the water first.
So how exactly do you make this? Is the red coloring needed?
Not at all. Boil the water (4+ cups) add 1 cup sugar, stir until dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
Thanks, done it.....I'll let ya know if I get any. I do have a yard full of plants and flowers.
Any particular kind of sugar? It doesn't seem right to be feeding animals refined white sugars?
They get their nutrients from small insects and spiders actually. Nectar and sugar water merely provide them with the energy to go after the critters they really need for that. Do some googling and you will see.
I understand that, but is there an alternative to white sugar?
Not that I know of. Things like honey are actually dangerous for hummers.
Yippee! Its back! The Hummer is back, I'm not sure why it quit visiting , maybe the juice was too weak. I love watching them!
Thats great!! Glad to hear it. :-)
I should just start a "Ask the HUmmingbird Gardener" thread.
Try:
www.hummingbirds.net
and another site I just found today:
www.hummingbirdsociety.org
Both sites tell you what to do if you find an injured or sick hummer, how to fill feeders, why you don't really even need to bother with feeders, what plants to plant, how to attract, when they migrate and why you don't have hummers yet even though you've already done everything mentioned on the web site. :>)
Thanks Dogzilla --- great sites!