DIY Hummingbird Feeder: Easy Homemade Projects

Attracting Hummingbirds

Drawing hummingbirds to your garden means figuring out what these little guys really like. One great way to do this? Create your own hummingbird feeder and whip up some homemade nectar.

Creating a DIY Hummingbird Feeder

Making your own hummingbird feeder is a charming way to jazz up your garden. All you need are a few everyday materials like a small mason jar, some red plastic, and some twine. The red color is like a homing beacon for hummingbirds, grabbing their attention from a distance. It’s fun for you, and a great project to involve the kids in.

Here’s a no-nonsense method to whip up your own feeder:

Materials Needed:

Small mason jar
Red plastic (craft into a flower)
Twine or string
Small drill or nail for poking holes

Steps:

Scrub that mason jar until it’s sparkling.
Make several tiny holes in the lid with your drill or nail.
Stick the red plastic flower to the lid.
Pour your homemade nectar (see below) into the jar.
Twist the lid on tight.
Use twine to make a hanging loop around the jar’s neck.

This easy-peasy feeder is both budget-friendly and good for the environment, perfect for drawing in the hummingbirds. For more upcycling ideas, peek at our eco-friendly feeders article.

Homemade Hummingbird Food Recipe

Making sure hummingbirds get the right snacks is super important. Store-bought nectars often have bad stuff in them, so cooking up your own nectar is better for the birds (Bless This Mess Please).

The classic hummingbird food recipe is a simple mix: 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
4 cups water
Instructions:

Get the water boiling and then switch off the heat.
Stir in the sugar until every granule’s dissolved.
Let it sit until it’s cooled to room temp before you fill up the feeder.

Measurement	Sugar	Water
Ratio	1 part	4 parts
Recipe	1 cup	4 cups

Keep it clean! No red dye, though – it ain’t good for them hummingbirds (Reaching Happy). Leftover nectar can chill in the fridge for about a week.

Don’t skimp on cleaning. Give your feeder a deep clean a couple of times a week, especially when it’s warm out, to dodge mold and gunk. Peep our guide on proper feeder cleaning.

Blend smart feeder design with healthy homemade nectar, and you’ll have hummingbirds swarming your garden in no time. For more hints on attracting these winged wonders, check out our guide on how to attract hummingbirds.

Popular Hummingbird Plants

Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds love flowers that are bright and shaped like tubes. These flowers provide the sweet nectar hummingbirds crave. Planting a mix of these flowers in your garden can make it a hummingbird haven. Here are some of the best blooms to consider:

Flower	Color	Blooming Season	Extra Perks
Bee Balm	Red, Pink, Purple	Summer to Early Fall	Also a favorite of butterflies
Trumpet Honeysuckle	Red, Orange	Spring to Summer	Great for climbing on trellises
Bleeding Hearts	Pink, Red	Spring	Does well in shady spots
Cardinal Flower	Bright Red	Late Summer to Early Fall	Loves wet surroundings
Eastern Red Columbine	Red, Yellow	Spring	Pretty leaves, too
Petunia	Various	Spring to Fall	Perfect for hanging planters
Nasturtiums	Orange, Red, Yellow	Summer to Fall	These flowers are edible!

(Info from Bless This Mess Please and The Spruce)

For a detailed list of hummingbird-friendly plants, check our diy hummingbird garden article.

Best Plants for Hummingbirds

Some plants have traits that hummingbirds just can’t resist and they provide nourishment for these tiny flyers all year long.

Bee Balm (Monarda):

Color: Pink, Red, Purple
Extra Perks: Draws in butterflies and is great for pollinator gardens.

Chrysanthemum:

Color: Various
Extra Perks: Besides hummingbird-magnetism, they boost your garden’s look.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia):

Color: Yellow, Gold
Extra Perks: Easy to care for; attracts many pollinators.

Aster:

Color: Blue, Purple, Pink
Extra Perks: Offers late-season nectar for migratory hummingbirds.

Zinnia:

Color: Red, Yellow, Orange, Purple
Extra Perks: Thrives across various climates, extending hummingbird feeding times.

For guidance on creating inviting habitats, dive into our how to attract hummingbirds piece.

Container gardeners may like nasturtiums, petunias, and fuchsias for their suitability in hanging planters (The Spruce). With the right plantings, your garden won’t just be pretty – it’ll be a hummingbird’s paradise, providing food for their entire journey.

Want to learn about what makes hummingbirds tick or what they eat? Check out our hummingbirds and bees and best time to see hummingbirds articles. For more on their connection with plants, explore our hummingbird habitat loss series.

Feeder Placement and Maintenance

Getting your hummingbird feeder in the right spot and keeping it in tip-top shape is the secret to making your garden a favorite hangout for these speedy little visitors. Here are some tried and true tips to help you get started.

Ideal Feeder Placement

Got a hummingbird feeder you made yourself? Nice job! Now, let’s make sure it’s in the best spot:

Where To Hang: Find a spot that’s quiet, where the birds won’t get spooked. Avoid putting it near windows to prevent accidents.
Easy Access: Make sure you can reach it easily for refills and cleanups.
Safe and Cozy: Place it near some trees or bushes that offer natural resting spots and protection for the hummers.
Sunlight: Keep it in some gentle sunlight to stave off nectar spoilage. Too much sun can make the nectar go bad quick.
Watch and Enjoy: Choose a place where you can keep an eye on your feeder, so you don’t miss any of the action and can keep track of nectar levels and feeder conditions.

Ideal Placement Tips	Benefits
Calm spots	Hummingbirds can chill out
Near trees/bushes	Good resting and hiding spots
Some Sun	Keeps nectar fresh longer
Easy to reach	Makes cleaning/refilling easy
High visibility	Fun for watching

Want more on getting those hummingbirds to swing by? Check out our hummingbird attraction guide.

Proper Feeder Cleaning

Keeping your feeder squeaky clean matters a lot. It stops mold and germs from ruining the party and keeps the birds feeling their best.

How Often: Clean your feeders every week when it’s cool, and twice a week if it’s hot. Replace the nectar every three to four days in the summer (Family Handyman).
What to Use: Go for hot water and dish soap, or whip up a bleach solution (1 part bleach with 9 parts water), or try a vinegar mix (1 vinegar to 2 water) (Birds & Blooms).
How To Do It: Take that feeder apart and scrub each piece like you mean it. Use a small brush for those stubborn bits of mold or grime.
No Leftovers: Rinse until you’re sure all the cleaning stuff is gone.
Air It Out: Let the parts air dry fully before you pour that nectar back in.

Cleaning Method	Mix Ratio	Hot Weather Cleaning
Good ol’ Dish Soap	N/A	Twice a week
Bleach Mix	1:9	Twice a week
Vinegar Mix	1:2	Twice a week

Stick to these steps, and you’ll have hummingbirds zipping by in no time, ready for a sip and some rest. For extras on different kinds of hummingbirds and what they like to snack on, check out our related reads.

By setting a welcoming stage for these lovely creatures, not only will you enhance their stay, but you’ll also enjoy their company all the more. For more ideas on the best hummingbird feeders, check out our complete guide and keep those visits coming!

Health Tips for Hummingbirds

When you’re making a DIY hummingbird feeder, keeping your tiny visitors safe and sound is your top priority. You gotta keep that nectar free from nasty stuff and make sure the feeders stay spotless to help the little guys stay healthy.

Bad Stuff in Nectar

Whipping up a batch of bird nectar? It’s super easy! Just mix 1 cup of white sugar with 4 cups of water. This simple recipe does the trick without piling on extra, unnecessary junk.

Some store-bought options might look tempting with their bright labels, but they often come with preservatives and chemicals that aren’t doing anyone any favors (Bless This Mess Please). Homemade nectar is where it’s at, ditching all the stuff they don’t need.

Here’s some stuff you wanna avoid when mixing nectar:

Red Food Coloring: Looks pretty, but it’s like candy for your teeth – totally unnecessary and definitely bad news.
Honey: This sweet stuff can turn into a fungi-festival pretty quickly.
Sugar Substitutes: They might be okay for us, but they’re risky business for birds.
Maple Syrup/Brown Sugar: They sneak in extra stuff that’s not bird-friendly.
Fruit Juice: It might sound healthy, but it’s like inviting extra gunk to the party.

Keeping Feeders Clean

Maintaining your bird feeders is like changing the oil in your car – gotta be done, or it’ll cause trouble down the road. Dirt and grime in feeders can breed bacteria and mold that could harm your feathered friends. Regular cleaning is key to keeping things fresh and safe.

Cleaning Schedule

Time of Year	How Often to Clean
Warm Months	Twice a week
Cool Months	Once a week

(Reaching Happy)

How to Clean

Take it Apart: Break it all down so you can get into every nook and cranny.
Soak It: Use warm soapy water to loosen up the grime.
Scrub Good: Get a brush in there to clean all the hidden spots.
Rinse Off: Wash away all that soap so it doesn’t sneak into their nectar.
Let It Dry: Leave it to breathe and dry out fully before you fill it back up.

Making your own nectar and sticking to a solid cleaning routine helps hummingbirds feel welcome and safe, turning your garden into their favorite hangout while keeping them in tip-top shape.

For extra ideas on hummingbird safety and the best ways to clean those feeders, see our detailed guides. We’re full of tips on how to care for your buzzing buddies.

Inviting Hummingbirds with Style

Fancy some feathered visitors in your yard? Let’s make it cozy and irresistible for those little hummers. By keeping an ear out for the buzz on their lifestyle and a nose for the right approach, you’ll soon see these tiny wonders zipping around your space.

Hooking the Hummingbirds

These pint-sized acrobats have a few quirks they live by. Here’s what they’ll be looking for when they swing by:

Chow Time:
- Whip up a sweet treat with a DIY hummingbird feeder.
- Their sugar high consists of one spoon of sugar with four of water.
- Trust nature—skip the freaky food coloring (how to protect hummingbirds).
- Keep things fresh by changing out their drink regularly (how to keep ants out).
Flower Favorites:
- Choose flowers with the goods—those dripping in nectar.
- Hits include trumpet vine, bee balm, and columbine.
Nest Needs:
- Forget the birdhouse; these guys aren’t looking for a condo (Quora).
- Nature’s builders use lichen and spider silk for their nests (how do hummingbirds mate).
- Providing a few man-made platforms could lend a hand if branches are in short supply (Quora).

House or Garden? Choose Wisely

Making the right choice is critical since hummingbirds are quite particular about where they hang out.

Birdhouses:
- Not their jam; they like things airy and open (Quora).
- These guys are architects, using what’s around in nature.
Garden Style:
- A floral buffet with endless snacks is the way to go.
- Boost the treat table with green-friendly feeders.
- Add shrubs and trees to your invite list, offering shelter and nest havens.

Method	Good Fit for Hummingbirds	What It Offers
Birdhouse	Nah	Hummingbirds are outdoor types, unfit for nesting
Garden	Heck yes!	Blooms bustling with nectar, feeding stations, plus spots for cozy nestle
Nesting Platforms	Sometimes handy	Backup spot when branches run scarce (Quora)

Getting these dazzling fliers to hang out is about knowing what makes them tick. Instead of banging your head on a brick wall with birdhouses, dive into cultivating a blooming garden with all their fave snacks and resting spots. For all the nitty-gritty, check out our guide on how to attract hummingbirds.

DIY Feeder Tips and Maintenance

Keeping a homemade hummingbird feeder in top shape requires a bit of creativity and a sharp eye on cleanliness. Let’s check out some crafty upcycle ideas and ways to keep feeders spick-and-span to lure those delightful hummers in.

Upcycled Feeder Ideas

Taking the junk and turning it into hummingbird treasure is a clever way to help nature without emptying your wallet. Got an empty soda bottle lying around? Beer or wine bottles fit the bill, too! See how you can transform those into a quirky, eco-friendly feeder (Reuse Grow Enjoy).

Here’s how you can whip one up:

What You’ll Need:

An empty glass bottle (soda, beer, or wine)
Two lengths of twine (60 inches each)
Hummingbird feeder tube

Making the Hanger:

Securely tie the twine around the bottle’s neck.
Crisscross the twine along the bottle to create a ‘net’ effect.
Knot the strings together at the top to hang it.

Putting It Together:

Pop the feeder tube into the bottle’s mouth.
Pour in some homemade hummingbird food (find the recipe here).

If you’re on the hunt for more avant-garde feeder inspirations, dive into our eco-friendly feeders article and start a green revolution in your yard projects.

Feeder Cleaning Techniques

If you want to keep those feathered buddies visiting, it’s all about keeping the feeders clean. Here’s how to keep things neat and tidy:

Routine Cleaning:

Give it a scrub every couple of days, more often when it’s scorching outside.
Soap and hot water do the trick on all parts.
Make sure you rinse it spotless—soap and birds don’t mix!

Deep Cleaning:

Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1/4 cup water for a solid clean-up.
Dismantle the feeder and let its parts soak for a half-hour.
Brush off any stubborn muck.

Rice & Hot Water Trick:

Combine uncooked rice and hot water in the feeder.
Give it a good shake so the rice can scrub off gunk.
Wash it out well and air dry before filling it up again.

For even more advice on keeping feeders tidy, see our piece on proper feeder cleaning and serve a safe banquet for your chirpy guests.

Become a beacon for these lively visitors by following these DIY tips and ensuring cleanliness is a routine affair. Find out all about making those little charmers flock to you in how to attract hummingbirds.