Easy Hummingbird Food Recipe

This super simple DIY Hummingbird Food Recipe uses TWO ingredients to make homemade nectar that will have the hummers stopping by your feeder all day long.

Hummingbirds are beautiful and fascinating creatures.

They are also amazing pollinators, making them a commodity to any garden.

If you want to attract more hummingbirds to your yard, the secret is simple with this homemade nectar made with the right sugar to water ratio.

The best hummingbird food recipe is a 4:1 ratio of water to white sugar. Just mix 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water, boil briefly, let it cool, and fill your feeder. That’s it!

It’s quick, inexpensive, and so much better than store bought nectar and the hummingbirds love it.

Quick Summary:

• Ratio: 4 parts water to 1 part sugar
• Use: Plain white granulated sugar only
• Do NOT use: Honey, brown sugar, or red dye
• Change nectar every 2–3 days

What do Hummingbirds Eat?

Hummingbirds need a lot of food to provide them with enough energy for flying. Flapping their wings at such a high rate can be draining on these beautiful creatures.

In the early spring when hummingbirds make their way back north they can struggle to find food with few flowers in bloom.

Setting out a hummingbird feeder is a great way to provide them with food so they can continue to thrive.

Hummingbird Nectar

The most common hummingbird food is nectar.

The sugar helps provide them with plenty of energy while giving them all-important water.

You can buy this hummingbird nectar concentrate or you can make your own hummingbird nectar at home.

To make your own nectar you will need just a few things.

Once you learn how to make hummingbird water yourself, you will never spend your money on the store-bought kind again.

Homemade Hummingbird Food

• A saucepan
• 1 cup of water
• ¼ cup of sugar
• Hummingbird feeder

How to Make Hummingbird Food

Pour water and sugar into the saucepan and bring to a simmer.

Stir well until all sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool before placing it into your hummingbird feeder.

Hummer Bird Food Tips

• Change out your hummingbird nectar at least once a week.
• If nectar sits too long it can ferment and make the hummingbirds that drink it sick.
• Each change of nectar, give your hummingbird feeder a good cleaning as well.
• Never add food dye to your nectar. This can risk the health of the hummingbirds visiting your garden.

If you really want the red coloring to attract hummingbirds, consider purchasing hummingbird feeders that are red and you won’t have to use the toxic food dye.

Hummingbird Care

While this is the main food you can provide for hummingbirds you can help supplement their diet in other ways as well.

Avoid using insecticides on plants in your garden near your hummingbird feeders.

Hummingbirds eat insects for protein and are great at helping control bugs from flies to aphids.

If you attract plenty of hummingbirds to your garden with your feeders they will work as an effective insect control saving you time and money working to control unwanted insects in your garden.

Want to skip the sugar water nectar in your garden altogether?

A garden bed full of wildflowers is a recipe for success when it comes to feeding hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies without serving them sugar water.

How to Plant a Bee Friendly Garden that Hummingbirds will love too!