Make Your Own Hummingbird Food

There's nothing like having hummingbirds in your back yard.  They hover

as if they're a helicopter.  Hovering to survey the food situation.

And believe you me, they know everything in your yard, front and back.

They've already searched and found all the places to get their sweet nectar.

So many of us help out our little feathered friends by feeding them.

But with the tight economy, buying the store bought food can be expensive.

Years ago, I published an ezine entitled "Hummingbird Lovers of The World."

In it, I  published how to feed your little friends for pennies.

It is believed that some internet writers have used my formula for years, and

have even published articles on how to do it!  Their formula.

Nothing wrong with that.

But what is a little irksome, is that some great editorial minds out there in charge

of all our writings, perhaps think that I have copied THEIR formula.

When, in fact, perhaps THEY have copied mine, published more than six years

ago!

Nevertheless, it doesn't matter.  I just want everyone to know that I have had this

information for a long time, and am just once again publishing it.

So, folks, no matter where you get the formula, it works and your little outdoor

buddies will be buddies for a long time!

Now let's talk about what you probably are doing now:

You probably are buying the expensive hummer liquid feed from various

sources.  And it is probably red in color.

While the little hummers are naturally attracted to red, (you can go to your

local nursery to find out what to plant to attract hummers) some experts believe

that the red food coloring can actually harm the little ones.

So if you've been using the red feed, STOP IT NOW!

Maybe it hurts them and maybe it doesn't.  But why take a chance when there's

a possibility of harming our little ones?

Their lifespan is very short, so why make it shorter?

And believe you me, the color doesn't matter.  That eat the clear just as much!

And it your backyard is like mine, there is often one hummer who claims it as

his own and chases all the others away.  A real bully!  And it works!

He scares all the others away!

But little does he know that when he is busy chasing others out of the yard,

others are swooping down to feed, hoping he doesn't notice.

And, oh yes, the "bully" has a few friends.

"Hey, babe...come on over to my PRIVATE feeder!  Just for you because I love

you!  Not for anyone else!  And keep in mind who your favorite stud bird is...

ME!"

Works every time.

"Ooooohhhhh, you little devil!  You are finding your way to my heart!  I'll fly

upside down for you ANY day!"

So if the little bully is lucky, a small nest is started probably in one of the

nearby trees.

So let's get to the formula as to how to make your own hummer food:

All you need is sugar!

Look for the supermarket ads and buy it when it's cheap!  That's your only cost.

The commercial formula is generally on a four to one basis.  That is:

Four parts of water to one part of sugar!

For years, thats what I used and told everyone in my ezine published many

years ago.

BUT....what would happen if you increased the sugar?

It so happens that the little buggers love you even more!

So since I am a fool for little birdie love, that's what I did!

I increased the sugar content.

And keep in mind, NO RED FOOD COLORING at any time!

Presently (and maybe because I have a good sugar supply in the garage) I am

using a formula of two to one.

Two parts of water to one part of sugar.

Boil the mixture for two to three minutes.

Cool and serve!

That's it!

That's the formula!  So if you are sugar rich, you just might try it.  If you are

sugar poor, use the four to one formula.  They will still love you.

But a friend of mine is presently using a one to one formula.

Wow!  As he walks out the door to hang up the feeder, the hummers are around

him everywhere!

That's about as sweet as it gets!

Now, one last final word about hummers (since we are friends):

They spend about 80 percent of their time sitting.

So if you put some kind of small clothesline close to your feeder, there's a good

chance that they will roost right there and give you even more hours of delight.

I've done it and it works!

Happy hummer watching!