Torrance, California

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Feeding Hummingbirds is Easy and Fun!

Enjoy Nature’s Jewels In Your Backyard  

How to Feed Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds feed primarily on flower nectar and insects.  They also love a simple syrup solution of sugar and water.  To attract hummingbirds, place a feeder filled with a sugar-water solution in your yard.  We recommend using C&H Cane Sugar.  The safest, purest nectar you can make is:

 

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1 part cane sugar to 4 parts water

(1/4 cup sugar to one cup water)


Use 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup boiling water per feeder. Pour the boiling water over the sugar and mix with a metal spoon (wood is porous and can’t be sterilized) until the sugar is dissolved.  Allow the mixture to cool.  Put about 5 ounces of nectar in each feeder; refrigerate the remaining nectar in a clean, tightly sealing glass jar.  NEVER use any artificial sweeteners, honey, blond or raw sugars or red food coloring to the mix.  Gravity feeders should be filled completely to reduce dripping.
   
The nectar should be changed every 3-4 days in normal weather; every other day when the outside temperature exceeds 90 F.  Hummers are here in the South Bay all year, so keep your feeders going.

Clean the feeder each time you change the nectar.  If you have a mold problem, wash the feeder in a solution of dishwasher detergent (Cascade, etc) and hot water.  Let it soak for an hour or so, and rinse thoroughly before refilling.

Hummingbirds are attracted to plants such as Lavender, Fuchsia, Cape Honeysuckle, Mexican sages and many others.  They also love to bathe in fine spray mists and splashing water, so consider putting a mister or bubbling fountain in your yard.

Be patient.  It may take some time for the hummers to find your feeders.  No matter what happens, change the nectar regularly as described above.