Backyard Hummingbirds Are Easy to Attract

Hummingbirds are native only to the Americas and the early explorers like Columbus wrote about them in his log. Early colonists were unaware that hummingbirds even existed. Of the 330 species of hummingbirds, all are found only in the Western Hemisphere and only 26 species of hummingbirds have ever been seen north of Mexico.

Making the solution to put in your hummingbird feeder is so easy. All you need is sugar and water.

1. Mix one part sugar and four parts boiling water in a container and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. This mixture will be similar to the nectar found in their favorite flowers.

2. If you would like to add red food coloring to the mixture that is fine but unnecessary if the feeder itself has the red color needed to attract the hummers.

3. This solution will only last for three or fours days before it needs to be replaced due to the contamination of mold that will occur, especially in the heat of summer.

4. Hot water and a bottle brush once a week will keep your feeder clean.

TIP: I make triple the amount I will need to fill the feeder and keep the left over supply in the fridge to use when needed -- it will keep for 2-3 weeks!