Feeding hummingbirds - do you have to boil the water when making the food?

I always thought you had to boil the water to make sure it was safe for the birds to drink, but recently saw a neighbor just mix up the sugar and tap water and fill her hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds consistently come to her feeder, and there aren't any dead birds under the feeder, lol, so do AVers think it's okay just to use the unheated tap water? I thought about it and realize I just use the garden hose to fill birdbaths, but, then, sugar isn't being mixed in.

WYT? Asked by anniemdaffodils 29 months ago Similar questions: Feeding hummingbirds boil water making food Sports & Recreation > Birding.

Similar questions: Feeding hummingbirds boil water making food.

You have got to be kidding... :) While some will maintain that homo sapiens evolved just so that he could boil water for hummingbird feeders, I believe that hummingbirds will drink pretty much any sweet liquid. Hummingbird feeders supposedly were developed around 1929. Now, while that may seem like a long time ago to some of you, let me assure you that hummingbirds have been around since before 1929.

The sweetened water is to emulate flower nectar. I don't know how well the birds relate to chlorinated tap water. When I am away from urban life, the hummingbird feeder gets filled with lake water.

And, no, we do not boil it for several minutes. ...how the heck did he get in here?! Now that we realize hummingbirds don't require their water boiled, there is a species called the Terribly British Hummingbird.

This bird actually spits out unboiled water...no lie...this bird takes hot tea with a spot of milk and 2 lumps of sugar... :) Sources: hummingbirds.net/feeders.html ; Google Images for photo .

They DO suggest boiling the water first I have a couple of hummingbird feeders. About once a week I bring them in, give them a good cleaning with bleach/water 50/50 and rinse them well. In a Pyrex measuring cup, microwave 4 cups of tap water to boiling...just about 8 minutes.

Remove and stir in 1 cup of white sugar. Let cool and fill the feeders. Maybe the boiling assures that the sugar is completely dissolved.

Refrigerate any extra mixture. Here are some suggestions from the site listed below. Helen But hanging a hummingbird feeder where you can easily see it is probably the best way to observe the hummingbirds in action.

There’s no need to buy expensive hummingbird nectar - make your own, from this simple hummingbird syrup recipe. Hummingbird Nectar Recipe 1 part sugar/4 parts water Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use.

Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value. You will need to clean your feeder about once a week. According to the National Audubon Society, this should be done by rinsing with one part white vinegar to four parts water.

If the feeder is dirty, try adding a few grains of dry rice to the vinegar solution to help scrub it clean. Follow the vinegar wash by rinsing three times with clear, warm water before refilling with sugar solution. Sources: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/hummingbird-food.shtml HELENofTROY's Recommendations Perky Pet 209 "Our Best" Hummingbird Feeder, 30 oz capacity Amazon List Price: $14.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 71 reviews) Perky Pet 221 Hummingbird Oasis Feeder, 16 oz capacity Amazon List Price: $12.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 25 reviews) .

According to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center You should boil the water first to kill any bacteria or mold that may be present. I always have boiled the water first when making hummingbird nectar because I thought the sugar blended better this way. I didn’t know about the bacteria and mold issue so thanks for asking this question so I could learn something new.

I have noticed that you need to keep an eye on the nectar because it will go bad. I keep my unused nectar in the fridge for future use. Another tip I can pass on to you while on this subject is that you might have an issue with ants getting in your feeder.

I have found that if you apply a thick coating of Vaseline to the chain that the feeder hangs from that this will deter the ants from going after the nectar. Hummingbird Nectar Recipe 1. ) Mix one part sugar to four parts water and bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold present.2.) Cool and fill feeder.

3. ) Extra sugar water mixture may be stored in refrigerator.4.) Red dye should not be added. Sources: nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScienc... Yankeeman's Recommendations Stokes Hummingbird Book : The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Hummingbirds Amazon List Price: $13.99 Used from: $2.60 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 11 reviews) Perky Pet 209 "Our Best" Hummingbird Feeder, 30 oz capacity Amazon List Price: $14.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 71 reviews) .

1 I've used tap water in the past. We have a well with a water softener. Thanks for reminding me about this, I'll get out my feeder!

I've used tap water in the past. We have a well with a water softener. Thanks for reminding me about this, I'll get out my feeder!

2 I never have. I am interested to see the rest of the answers....

I never have. I am interested to see the rest of the answers....

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My appartment be cold most of the time. I boil water in a pot. Is that safe?

Just got a glass top corning stove and it won't boil any water, it will heat up food but not boil anything,i.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.