How to Fill a Hummingbird Feeder

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By Tammy Quinn Mckillip
eHow Contributing Writer

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Hummingbirds will gravitate to properly filled and maintained feeders that allow them easy access to nectar--a sugar mix that provides them with supplementary calories and energy for searching out their primary food source, tiny insects and flower nectar. Though commercially produced nectar is available, you can create your own formula easily and inexpensively.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Water
White sugar
Pan or tea kettle
Stove
Bowl

Step 1

Rinse your hummingbird feeder thoroughly with hot water, and scrub it with a bottle brush to make sure there is no residue, mold, mildew or debris inside. Do not use soap, as the smell of soap will discourage hummingbirds from feeding.
Step 2

Fill a stainless steel pan or tea kettle with water, and heat the water on the stove until it boils.
Step 3

Pour four parts hot water into a heat-tolerant glass or ceramic bowl filled with one part white sugar.
Step 4

Use a long-handled kitchen spoon to mix the sugar and water until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 5

Cool the nectar to room temperature or less, and pour it into the hummingbird feeder.

Tips & Warnings

Keep your hummingbird feeder clean by discarding unused nectar and rinsing the feeder thoroughly in warm water every two days. Once a week, fill the feeder with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts hot water, and allow the cleansing solution to stand for at least one hour before flushing, rinsing and refilling the feeder.
Do not add red or any other dye to your hummingbird feeder nectar, as it may potentially cause health problems, such as tumors. Never use soap when cleaning your feeder. Do not allow mold or mildew to build up inside the feeder, as it can transmit harmful bacteria to the hummingbirds. Remove your feeder during cold months, as having a readily available source of food nearby may inhibit your hummingbirds from traveling to warmer climates during the winter. Since you feeder is providing a supplementary source of nutrients, hummingbirds that refuse to migrate during the colder months may die of starvation when they are unable to find food.