Most questions we get relate to hummingbird nectar and nectar recipes, so first and foremost here is our Nectar 101:

The Sugar: Simple sugar solution is the best replication of nectar found in flowers. Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. White sugar is the best, as brown sugar contains molasses and will invite bacterial growth quicker. The nectar we sell is 100% cane sugar that is superfine (dissolves instantly)

The Water: It is not necessary to boil the water used to make nectar, UNLESS you use well water. Regular city tap water is fine; trace minerals in the water should not hurt hummingbirds. If you are worried about chlorine, fluoride or other additives, use a water purifier such as Pur or Brita. Distilled water is not recommended.

Food Coloring: Please DO NOT add food coloring to your hummingbird nectar! Red food coloring has been found to affect hummingbird kidneys and livers. Red is a visual clue to hummingbirds, but the birds are attracted to the sweetness of the nectar above all else. Use plants that hummingbirds favor in your garden, or use vibrant colors in your feeders to bring the Sweet Beaks to you.

Additives & Preservatives: Animal food is the same as human food when it comes to artificial additives and preservatives – the fewer, or NONE the better. There is no scientific proof that nectar with “added protein/electrolytes/glucose” benefit hummingbirds, so don't believe the hype. There are newly marketed “flavored hummingbird nectars”, and these also have no data supporting they benefit hummers.

Changing Nectar: The key to any successful hummingbird feeder is keeping the nectar fresh and cool. Nectar can ferment in feeders, changing from simple syrup to alcohol, or bacteria can start growing into mold. Dirty feeders and spoiled nectar will keep hummingbirds from feeding, as quickly as food poisoning will keep you from going to a restaurant a second time.

Nectar should be changed every 3-5 days in cool weather, and every 1-2 days in really hot weather.

Make a large batch of nectar at one time; excess can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!

Location, location, location: Pick a feeder that will be easy for you to maintain in your area. In the U.S. Southwest you will likely need a large capacity hummingbird feeder since hummingbirds live year-round and there are more species in the area. Coastal and Gulf states that have high temperatures, look for feeders that are top-feeding or ceramic so changes in weather and barometric pressure will not cause feeders to drip or overheat. In New England states you will be best suited to feeders that hang and can be kept away from hungry bears.

Enjoy your hummingbirds/hummingbird feeders even more with the answers to these most-frequently asked questions:

1. I bought a beautiful new feeder, but the hummingbirds are still going to the old “cheap” one. What's the deal? Hummingbirds are creatures of habit, and their migrational memory tells them that nectar can be gotten from your old styles of feeders. To introduce a new feeder into a hummingbird's routine, just take down your old feeder and replace it with the new design. The location of the food is the prime factor, so once the hummingbird is adjusted to the new feeder as its nectar source you can put up both feeders and they should feed equally.
2. There is one hummingbird that will not let any other hummers use my feeder, what should I do? Male hummingbirds are known for being territorial bullies, and like most of the animal kingdom the dominant male will defend his stake and claim. Females and adolescents share feeders, so if you have an alpha male hummer the best thing to do is placate his power. Use at least 2 hummingbird feeders and in one make the nectar sweeter and thereby more attractive to the male (instead of a 4:1 solution, use a 3:1 solution for the male's feeder). The male will start defending the sweeter feeder and other hummers will be able to access nectar without a dogfight!
3. How can I keep bees away from the hummingbird feeder? Bees are persistent and can become very aggressive toward hummingbirds if they take over a feeder. Bees however, are not as smart as hummers and can lose the nectar trail fairly easily. Bees send out scouts from the hives that locate nectar sources (usually flowers), and those scouts report back to the hive locations of food. Since flowers don't move, it's easy to give directions. Hummingbird feeders on the other hand are mobile, so just move the feeder at least 3 feet a day to different locations in your yard and the bees will lose the trail. Hummers recognize much larger regions and they'll remember the look of the feeder as well as their internal GPS locations!
4. How can I keep ants away from the hummingbird feeder? Ah, the most common pest of them all, ANTS! The best way to keep ants away to begin with is to refill your feeders inside and keep from spilling the sugar water on the ground/deck. Ants can climb and track scent amazingly well, but they can't swim and they can't cross sticky divides. For hanging feeders try an ant moat that you fill with water, and for stake feeders there are ant baffles that you undercoat with oil/petroleum jelly to keep the colony away.
5. When should I put out my hummingbird feeder in spring? And when should it come down in autumn? There are migration maps online that show when birds are going to be in your area; the best we've come across is on www.hummingbirds.net . A good rule of thumb is to put out your feeders a week or two before the spring migration goes through your state, and leave them up for at least 6 weeks. For southern migration in the autumn, put your feeder back up 6 weeks later and keep it out for one full month. Migration typically ends by late September.
6. If I leave my feeder out will it cause hummers to dangerously miss their migration? The plain and simple answer to this is No; your hummingbird feeder will not confuse hummingbirds as to when it's time to go. Hummers have a high sensitivity to the amount of light there is in the day, and as the sun starts rising lower in the sky toward autumnal months the hummers know it's time to go south. They will likely appreciate having feeders out at this time of year so they can fatten themselves up a bit for the long journey.
7. What plants will help attract hummingbirds to my garden?  There are many plants that supply nectar and are hummingbird favorites. Check your zone and soil conditions first, and your local garden center and nursery will have many suggestions for your location. Some very typical plants that hummers desire are: red trumpet vine, petunia, nasturtium, salvia, larkspur, agastache, geraniums, monkey flower, lilac, and sage.
8. If I'm not supposed to use red food coloring, how can I attract hummers to my yard? You know that red food coloring is harmful to hummingbirds, but there are so many other creative ways to entice birds to your yard! First, create a hummingbird oasis with flowers and plants that hummers can't resist. Natural flowers exude fragrance and their colors/shapes are visual roadmaps to hummingbird eateries. Keep a tidy yard, but don't get rid of all the cobwebs! Hummingbirds actually use silken spider webs to make their nests! When buying feeders and garden ornaments, buy bright vibrant colors that sparkle and shine in sunlight, these will be beacons to hungry hummers. Use red ribbon on your hooks, tree branches, and near your feeders to add a little zing and make it a party like setting for passing hummers.
9. I saw a hummingbird with something on it's leg, what is that? To help understand and protect hummingbirds, there are several organizations that participate in banding. Banding helps identify birds during migration, and gives insight into hummer longevity and adaptability. Banding is not harmful to the birds, and is much like our census that tells us where the who/what/where and why of our lives.
10. I'm having trouble using a feeder/product that I bought on SweekBeak.com, can someone help me? We want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchases from our site, and the most direct way to get in touch with us is through our “Contact Us” page. We try to respond to all inquiries within 48 business hours, and will do our utmost to keep you pleased with our products and service. You may also contact us by phone toll free at 1-800-864-6199.