How to Build Your Own Hummingbird Feeder

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One of most beautiful sights each spring and summer is the gentle buzz of hummingbirds. Full of color and wonder, it’s always a joy to spot them visiting your garden. If you don’t have a hummingbird feeder, you can build your own. Here’s the simple how-to steps:

Materials Needed

Craft knife
Shallow plastic container with lid
Soda bottle with cap
Twine

Instructions

Cut a hole in the lid of the plastic container to fit around the mouth of the bottle
Poke several small holes around the larger hole, and one in the removed soda bottle cap
Turn bottle right side up and plastic container lid upside down and push mouth of bottle through container lid hole
Fill bottle with feeder solution
Put bottle cap back on, and attach base of plastic container to the lid
Flip feeder over so the solution fills the container
Tie twine to bottle and hang outside

Tip: Prevent any leaks by plugging gaps with dabs of hot glue. And be sure to clean the feeder at least twice a week to prevent bacteria or mold growth

Tips For Attracting More Birds

1. Decorate Your Feeder

Glue on bright red faux flowers, or paint your own to add pops of color to entice more hummingbirds.

Make your own nectar by boiling 1 part sugar with 4 parts water. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves, and let it cool before pouring into feeder.

2. Display It At The Correct Time

Put out your feeder in early spring — a few days before the weather breaks for good is best.

3. Surround Feeders With Plants

Plant salvia, honeysuckle, bee balm, columbine and hosta to attract hummingbirds to the garden and provide a source of nourishment.

Don’t Like To DIY? Here’s How To Choose The Right Store-Bought Feeder

If space doesn’t allow for a garden or plants, choosing the right hummingbird feeder will help attract them.

Purchase a red version — it attracts better than any other color.
Choose a feeder that’s easy to take apart for cleaning and refilling.
Basin-style feeders are easiest for hummingbirds to familiarize themselves with.
Consider purchasing a feeder with built-in perches to give the hummingbirds a break from flying. It usually means they’ll stay longer.

Do you have any tips for attracting hummingbirds? Share them with our community on our Facebook page.