I never thought of making a concentrate, nor of freezing it. Great info--thank you so much!

I'm wondering if just refrigerating it would work, less muss than thawing? Since it is just water and sugar, seems it would do OK.

I hadn't thought of this either. Thank you for a great idea!

Hummingbirds are my favorite bird too. I'm already filling my feeders daily but would be great to have some concentrate ready for a moments notice. They do come looking for me with the feeders are empty.

GREAT article Donna .. we find ourselves in the same dilemma at times .. and, I have floated many an aluminum pot in ice water trying to cool down the nectar ..
Seems this would work well..

Deb .. I also don't see why not the fridge method wouldn't work as well ..

Nice to be ON IT when you get the 'FEED ME' fly by

~M~

What a great idea! I'll make up some concentrate today. My hummers are voracious, and I love keeping them fed, but did spend a lot of time making food and letting it cool. I love this! Thank you.

Fantastic idea. Thanks!

Teriffic idea!

Sounsds like a good idea to me too. I am going to try it. Thanks!

Bonehead said:I'm wondering if just refrigerating it would work, less muss than thawing? Since it is just water and sugar, seems it would do OK.

Deb, they must put preservative in the prepared liquid as well as red color, as mine tends to want to ruin faster outside, will get black in a day or two. Sometimes I'm having to fill it every day anyway, but sometimes it will last three. But I don't want it getting bacteria growing in the sugar water in the fridge either. And I make up quite a bit at a time.

Fridge method works great. I make a gallon or two and store it. I use the natural cane sugar versus the processed white sugar. Buy the ten pound bags from Costco or Sams, etc. The hot air does promote the mold and bacteria in the sugar mixture faster.

I've also read that you do not need to boil it, regular tap water works fine. If you want, fill some pictures with water the night before and allow the chlorine to dissipate. Because...........

Read an article about a study and the black "mold" that grows on feeders is NOT harmful to HB's. That in fact, they are responsible for spreading it to feeders from their beaks. So the boiling issue is a choice, not a necessity.

I don't ever have any spoilage problems, likely because I'm in a pretty temperate area and my feeder is in the shade. I usually make up my sugar water with tepid tap water and it lasts a week or longer outside (depending on bird traffic). I'm also planting more hummingbird friendly plants which lightens the load on the feeder.

I usually make a double batch and just keep it in the fridge. I try to refill about every 2-3 days unless its really hot out.