topic Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds? in Garden

Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

depglass — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:42:05 GMT

I have a neighbor who just told me not to feed the hummingbirds. She says the sugar water is bad for them. I thought it mimicked nectar from flowers. Anyone have an opinion here? I was using 4 to 1 ratio, no food coloring.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

blackhole99 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:47:54 GMT

I have been feeding hummingbirds for years and use the sugar water recipe from Bird's and Bloom's which is 1 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar and definitely no food coloring.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

DayzeeDeez — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:48:20 GMT

Hummingbird researchers recommend the table sugar - water ratio you use to feed them since table sugar closely resembles nectar. No coloring. You are just fine to do what you are doing.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:50:25 GMT

It can be bad for them if it's not kept contaminant-free. (Source)

Cleanliness

Sugar water is a very rich growth medium. Yeasts like to eat it causing fermentation which can harm hummingbirds. Mold and bacteria grow in it and can also harm the birds. That is why it is important to keep the feeder clean and the nectar fresh. You must change the nectar frequently to avoid these contaminants. In cooler temperatures we recommend changing it every seven days. If the temperatures are getting above 70 degrees, follow this chart:

Remember: these are guidelines, not absolutes. If you notice that the nectar is turning milky or that white strings or black spots are growing in it, change it more often. Clean the feeder with very hot water each time you refill it. Most good feeders,and all of of the ones that we sell, come apart for easier cleaning. Be sure and take them apart every time. It is usually the work of a couple of seconds. If contamination occurs, use a mild bleach solution to sterilize it, but if you use bleach, rinse thoroughly afterwards. Even a tiny amount of bleach could be harmful to birds weighing only a quarter of an ounce! Glass or metal pieces can be boiled, but you should probably not boil plastic pieces. The black mold may leave a very faint stain, but this will not affect the safe operation of the feeder.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

addiegal — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:52:45 GMT

I feed the sugar/water mixture. No food coloring...the birds seem to love it!

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

RedTop — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:59:30 GMT

I agree that health issues for the hummingbirds exist when the sugar water is not changed often, and the feeder is dirty. Regardless of temperature, I change the food and clean the feeder every 3 days.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

Clover29 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:04:37 GMT

While we do get hummingbirds at our feeder, we also get chickadees, which I find surprising. At first I thought they were just checking out a new feeder they hadn't seen before, realizing it's not seeds, and giving up in disappointment; but no, they stay and drink. They do know it's not a seed feeder and they stop by anyway.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

Lila4Now — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:15:50 GMT

As long as what you feed the hummingbirds is fresh, you're fine. Most hummers carry a fungus, and they are the ones who foul the nectar. It doesn't matter if it's sugar water, or store bought nectar. I've fed hummingbirds for 20 plus years, always have around 20 of them, at least, who feed on a regular basis. I use sugar water. I think that myth is promoted by the companies who sell nectar.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

pattypeep — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:24:21 GMT

I've heard of many people that use sugar water, but not sure of it's effects. Personally, I purchase nectar because it is fortified with nutrients. In the PNW where I live I feed them all year because we have a species that stays during the winter.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

misspammie — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:32:11 GMT

lawdy, something else to worry about while I'm trying to be kind and nice. Have done the same thing for years. all seems fine HOWEVER, a few days ago we seem to have a bully (think I'd mentioned before) then I noticed a female, rather plump, and spastic. I wondered, is my solution okay (YES) or is there something wrong with her (maybe) was the bully making things uneasy for other feeders? The poor female drank (used to drink on very very quick sips/retreat/sip/retreat/sip,,,,felt sorry for her. attributed it to the bully, she'd look around before and after a sip. she also even 'poked' at the glass with the red water inside. It's been fine for years, now what do I have to worry about. I'm sure I'll hear it all from here no offense

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

johowie2010 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:52:06 GMT

Be sure to use only pure cane sugar for your hummers and yourself. Sugar beets are Genetically modified, GMO, so they can withstand repeated spraying of herbicide.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

RainyDayGal — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 16:53:19 GMT

We use sugar water. I purchased pre-made nector, but after reading the tag that came with the two feeders we bought saying NOT to use pre-made stuff we threw it out. Figure there was a bunch of chemicals and stuff in there they don't need.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

Harpa — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 17:10:16 GMT

depglass, I do what you do - refresh every couple days & more often in hot weather. I thought the boiling time also had something to do with it.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

depglass — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 17:25:11 GMT

I will start disinfecting feeder between refills. Around here they go through a quart in less than two days.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

Kachina624 — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:34:32 GMT

On 7/31/2014 Clover29 said:
While we do get hummingbirds at our feeder, we also get chickadees, which I find surprising. At first I thought they were just checking out a new feeder they hadn't seen before, realizing it's not seeds, and giving up in disappointment; but no, they stay and drink. They do know it's not a seed feeder and they stop by anyway.

I've seen sparrows do this also. I guess hummers aren't the only ones with a sweet tooth.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

Venezia — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 03:46:50 GMT

If it's bad for them, no one has thought to tell the numerous hummingbirds I have every day at my feeder. They come back every year and, if the feeder isn't out when they first arrive, they sit on top of the shepherd's crook and look in the door at us until I get out there! I've had them buzz my head as I'm putting it out, in their rush to get to it.

I make my own with the 4 to 1 ratio. I (and the hummingbirds) prefer it to the store-bought kind. I'm sure the coloring in those doesn't do them any good.

I replace it at least once a week; more often, if they're drinking it faster.

(And I never use anything other than very hot water to clean the feeder. Dish detergent would not be a good thing for them!)

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

misspammie — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:06:54 GMT

I've heard to use a denture cleaner to clean the feeders. Wrong????

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

seattlegirl98026 — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 15:39:12 GMT

Venezia, my FIL says that the hummingbirds that frequent his feeder like the homemade better than store bought as well.

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

cah — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 15:45:34 GMT

I've been feeding the hummingbirds for 50 years. I boil the water, add 1 cup refined sugar to 4 cups of water. I also just wash the feeders with hot water and a bottle brush.
Haven't had a casualty that I know of yet!

Re: Sugar water bad for hummingbirds?

luvdoodles — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:10:36 GMT

I do the same thing, 4 to 1 ratio with boiling water and have hummers all Summer and they return the next year. I have a small book on hummers and this is just fine to do, just clean the feeder on occasion. I have some bell shaped flowers they like to feed on also. Just love these little birds.