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Sugars You Shouldn't Use For DIY Hummingbird Nectar
By NANCY CHANDLER
Hummingbird feeders attract the little birds to your yard, but if you try to fill them with your own nectar, you need to make sure you use the right ingredients for the birds.
Homemade nectar for your feeder should only include water and the right kind of sugar. Some sugars, like molasses and brown sugar, contain iron, which can be toxic for birds.
Artificial sweeteners don't provide hummingbirds with the calories they need for energy. Honey can quickly ferment when mixed with water and cause mold to grow in the feeder.
Pure white granulated sugar is the only safe sugar for homemade hummingbird nectar. When mixed with water, it resembles what hummingbirds would find in nature.
To create your own safe hummingbird nectar, combine four parts water with one part granulated white sugar, and don't add food coloring to the mixture.