Mix 1 cup spring water with ¼ cup white granulated sugar, as recommended by The International Hummingbird Society. Only refined white sugar should be used since it removes molasses, which contains iron that is detrimental to birds.
Honey, which mixes with water to grow harmful germs and fungi, is another poisonous sugar. Artificial sweeteners lack nutrition, hence they shouldn't be utilized.
The best spring water dissolves sugar without boiling; just whisk vigorously. If the mixture is completely chilled before adding it to the feeder, heating the water can dissolve the sugar faster.
Tap water is good, but boil it to eliminate pollutants and prevent mold and yeast growth. Boiling water is excellent for storing extra in the fridge for several days. Making small quantities to keep the nectar fresh is preferable.
Hummingbird Feeding Tips Cornell University recommends replacing food and washing the feeder every 2–3 days. In warm weather, nectar can degrade rapidly and become contaminated when birds drink from the feeder.
Each time you refill the feeder, wash it to avoid mold, which is harmful to hummingbirds. Never replenish the nectar from the last feeding. Add ⅓ cup of sugar to 1 cup of water on cold or wet days.
Hummingbirds will be more energetic on colder days with more sugar. Hummingbirds are territorial, therefore multiple tiny feeders are better than one huge one.