What! Homemade Hummingbird food?

OK, am I the only one who has always purchased hummingbird food? Am I the only one who has never THOUGHT of making my own? DAAAHHH!! That stuff isn't cheap! How come no one has ever shared this with me until now? My mother-in-law, Sue just informed me that she always makes her own. You can easily make your own Hummingbird food using sugar cane sugar and water. Who ever thought? Obviously not me! And did you know that there's no need to add red food coloring to the Humming bird food? Some people do this to attacks the hummingbirds. Your red feeder will be enough to attract them. There is a controversy about whether food coloring might be harmful to the Humming birds. Which makes since because RED dye is harmful to us. So avoiding it altogether is the best choice. And that is what Sue does. Her's is homemade and clear and the birds love it!

The Hummingbird food recipe consists of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. This 1 to 4 ratio will closely match that found in actual flower nectar.

Start by stirring the sugar into the water while bringing the mixture to a boil over low heat. Boiling the solution is important as it helps remove chlorine from the water and kills mold and yeast spores that might be in the sugar.

Boil the mixture for two minutes and let cool. Do not boil any longer than 2 minutes or you will boil away too much of the water and change the ratio of sugar to water. I have read that higher sugar concentration resulting from boiling too long, will be more attractive to insects.

Once the Hummingbird food is cool you can add it to your feeder and store any excess nectar in the refrigerator (for 7 - 8 days) for use at a later date.

Nothing is more fun, saves money and is better for your hummingbirds! Wow, I learned something new! Amazing! Thanks Sue for the lesson. Got anymore?