Date:    4/1/04
Contact: Candace Cummings, (864); ccmmngs@CLEMSON.EDU 
Editor:  Susan Bedingfield, (864) 656-3876;sbeding@Clemson.edu

It's easy to create a 
haven for hummingbirds

	CLEMSON -- Often people ask how to attract hummingbirds to 
their home or garden. What can be done to create the ideal backyard 
haven for these beautiful, energetic little creatures? 
	This can be accomplished two ways. First, plant and maintain a 
natural wildflower or cultivated flower garden with plants providing 
nectar to hummingbirds; second, put out artificial feeders filled with 
sugar water or commercially prepared nectar solution. Many people opt 
for a combination of the two. 
	Now is the time -- April and May - to plant 
hummingbird-attracting plants and put out feeders.
	It is a good idea to become familiar with the plants that are 
the most successful at attracting hummingbirds in your immediate area. 
	Take a walk around your neighborhood and notice the flowers 
hummingbirds are using for food. By planting the same plants in your 
yard, you'll have a head start toward attracting them.
	As most fans of hummingbirds are quick to learn, the primary 
color of these flowers is red or some related color, such as orange or 
pink. Since bees do not see red, this excludes them from competing with 
the hummingbirds for these flowers. Since these flowers have no scent 
as a rule, butterflies and moths, which rely on scent to a great degree 
in locating their nectar sources, largely ignore them.
	Although red is probably the most popular flower color among 
hummingbirds, these birds visit flowers of a great many other colors. A 
successful hummingbird garden can have a mixture of annual, perennial, 
and biennial flowers and utilizes a number of red flowers such as bee 
balm and Indian paintbrush. Other plants that could also be used are 
morning glory, honeysuckle, lantana, petunia, snapdragon, butterfly 
weed and hollyhock.
	Apartment dwellers can transform their deck, patio or outdoor 
windowsill into a hummingbird garden by combining hummingbird flowers, 
like impatiens, phlox and geranium, in window boxes or hanging baskets 
with a feeder or two.
	 There are many types of hummingbird feeders commercially 
available in various shapes and sizes. Whatever type or number you 
decide to use, there are a number of guidelines that you should follow 
to make sure that you and the hummingbirds are well served by the 
feeders you provide.
	Feeders should be easy to clean, and they need to be cleaned 
and refilled once a week. In hot weather or when feeders are in direct 
sunlight, they need to be cleaned and refilled every few days to 
prevent the sugar water from becoming moldy, which is harmful to 
hummingbirds.
	Nectar for artificial feeders should consist of a four-to-one 
solution of water and granulated white sugar. This solution should be 
boiled for a couple of minutes; so the sugar dissolves completely, and 
microorganism growth is retarded. Excess solution can safely be stored 
in the refrigerator for about a week. 
	Honey, brown sugar or artificial sweeteners should not be used 
in any nectar solution, as these items are harmful to hummingbirds.
	Because most feeders have bright colors that attract 
hummingbirds, your nectar solution does not need to be artificially 
colored red. Once they discover a feeder, hummingbirds will return to 
it year after year. 
	The choice to remove the feeder in late fall or leave it up all
year round is totally yours. Migrating hummingbirds will still head 
south even if there are feeders or flowering plants available to them.
Other feeder tips to remember include:
·	Placing feeders in part shade slows fermentation of nectar.
·	Separate feeders by at least six feet so one hummingbird does 
	not dominate all of the feeders.
·	Attach an ant moat to the feeder wire to prevent ants from 
	entering the feeder.
		******************************************
    For answers to your gardening, write to PSA Media Relations, 120
Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129.
			END