Here's a hummingbird nectar recipe that attracts better than store bought!

Here in our part of the south, hummingbird feeders can be left out year round, bringing them in only during the coldest, below freezing nights. (Only then because we have not found a glass or plastic feeder that will not crack from the freeze and thaw.) Various reports by universities in our area, state some western hummingbird species over winter in our region. However, we have yet to see them in the coldest months. Nonetheless, we'll leave ours out filled with our homemade hummingbird nectar recipe for as long as possible, just in case!

In most climates, north of hardiness zone 7, feeders should be placed outdoors after the last hard freeze date and brought in prior to the winter's first hard freeze date.

Hummingbird feeders are very low maintenance for the joy you get in return for having them. We clean our feeders annually, more frequently if algae are present. This hasn't been near the problem as in the past, not since we switched to using this hummingbird nectar recipe. Store bought mixes seemed to "spoil" quickly in the heat of Georgia summers.

We currently maintain two feeders, one in front of the house, one in the back. Humming birds can be very territorial, so we found this helps keep many in our yard during the summer months.

If you have never seen a hummingbird's aerial acrobatics, many liken to fighter pilots, then fill a feeder with the nectar recipe below and sit back for the air show. Don't forget to add a few flowering plants nearby too. Even a small patio can accommodate a few good choices, like lantana or bee balm.

Trust us, you'll be rewarded for your efforts by some of the most amazing little creatures in the air. Their screaming halts in mid air, hovering sounds of a small chopper when up close or the shrill chirping as they fly up and down in a mating dance will thrill you.

Humming Bird Nectar Recipe:

1 Part granulated sugar (1 Cup)

4 Parts Water (4 Cups)

Bring water to rolling boil for one minute. Pour over sugar and mix until well dissolved. Allow to cool completely. Fill feeders with cooled mix. NO coloring is needed. It is recommended you NOT use food coloring.

Just an FYI, in case you were wondering, the lil' hummers have shown no preference to the colored prepackaged mixes versus this homemade hummingbird nectar recipe in prior trials at our home. In fact, our neighbor actually accused us of stealing his hummers with our nectar, as he would watch them land on his store bought laden feeder only mere seconds before heading towards our home.

So if you really want numbers of hummingbirds to visit, you have to try this homemade hummingbird nectar recipe at least once!!

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