Photo by Annette Shaff ( Shutterstock)One of the unexpected joys in my life is the hummingbird feeder that I have hung on my porch. It was there because the hummingbirds were always checking out that spot. I believe my house's previous owners had hung it there. Every summer, they come back to demand I feed them. So, I do.AdvertisementA garden store sells hummingbird food in bottles next to the feeders. Red flowers attract hummingbirds. You don't need to have either. Making your own is easier, more affordable, and healthier for birds.The Audubon society suggests making homemade syrup over using bottled syrup. They also recommend that you avoid red coloring. Red dye has been suggested to be harmful for hummingbirds. However, it has not been tested for long-term effects.It is possible that people tried to make hummingbird foods from all sorts of substances. The Audubon page warns against using honey, molasses or artificial sweeteners. Sugar water. You can make sugar water, so okay.Here's how it works:To a pint-sized Mason jar or similar container, add 1/4 cup sugar. 1 cup cold or room-temperature water. Add 1 cup of cold or room temperature water to the container and shake it.It is ready to use as-is. With a little stirring or shaking, the sugar will dissolve. If you are familiar with simple syrup making, it uses more sugar than the water and requires a little more assistance to get it to dissolve.After I have made the syrup, I bring my hummingbird feeder in and wash it with hot soapy water. I then pour about half of the syrup, which is approximately half a cup, into the feeder and put the rest in the refrigerator for later in week. To keep your little friends healthy, make sure you wash the feeder at least twice per week.
