Here's How To Make A Budget-Friendly Hummingbird Feeder With Items From Dollar Tree

Did you know that you might actually be seeing the same hummingbirds in your yard every year? Don't dismiss their bird-brainedness; these creatures often revisit a chosen spot over and over because they know it's safe and there's a reliable source of food nearby. Even if yours have buzzed off for the year, you can get ready for their upcoming return by making an inexpensive feeder using only Dollar Tree finds. A Rubbermaid Take Along Square Container or a round one strung up with jute cord and embellished with bird-alluring faux flowers will set you back less than $10, including nectar ingredients.

One color that instantly invites more hummingbirds to your garden is red, but other bright colors like orange, blue, purple, and pink also beckon the birds to both feeders and flowerbeds. Hit the floral section at the 'Tree for a branch or two of artificial flowers in these colors. Attached near or around the feeder's drinking ports, the colorful — although faux — blooms are an extra dose of allure atop the container's red lid. Opt for blossoms that don't consist of a lot of fabric since birds can become entangled in complicated arrangements, and you won't want excess material making it hard for the birds to reach the drinking ports. Alternatively, you can also go the more established route by fitting the feeder's drinking ports with a product like these EXEXIUO Hummingbird Feeder Replacement Flowers. And while you're shopping, grab a bag of sugar, as well, since homemade hummingbird nectar is surprisingly easy to make with nothing more than sugar, water, and a bit of heat.

Gather up a few tools and supplies before starting. If you're attaching faux flowers, PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue is considered safe for use around animals. For replacement feeders, you'll just need to push them into the drinking ports. To make the ports, use the tip of a soldering iron, or a thick nail heated over a candle flame (Be sure to hold the nail safely with pliers.)

Space several holes over the lid of the container, leaving enough room between them to accommodate a faux flower. Widen the hole with the iron or hot nail if you're using replacement feeder flowers, since the base is typically larger than those items. These accessories may slip into the hole easily, but a bit of PVA glue will hold fabric flowers or loose-fitting feeder flowers in place. Once you've filled the clear container with nectar and snapped the lid on, the feeder can work as-is when set on a flat, stable surface.

But if you'd rather hang, a simple macrame hanger will do the trick. Cut four 12-foot jute cords and fold each in half, making four doubled-up 6-foot cords. Knot them together at one end, leaving a 2- to 3-inch loop for hanging. About 2 feet down, tie a smaller knot in each pair of cords. Next, pair neighboring cords from different sections, and make another knot 4 inches below the first small knot. Repeat this for three sets of knots, then tie all the cords together with an overhand knot 4 inches further down. Spread the cords from the large knot, and you'll have a net where the birdfeeder can sit securely.