Is there any particular reason to heat your water/sugar mixture? I sometimes do, but mostly don't. The sugar dissolves in cold water and doesn't settle out. Am I missing something? Getting ready to put them out for the season.

I only heat enough water to dissolve the sugar well myself. But some heat all the water used...to prevent the development of the crud that sometimes starts growing in hummingbird feeders. Sorry, I don't remember the proper word for that "crud". It's harmful for hummingbirds. I try to remember to change out the nectar and clean the feeder often to prevent any such problems...using a vinegar solution to clean the feeder helps.

I have read that boiling the mixture will help kill the bacteria or mold that might be present.

Thanks, I'm pretty good at keeping the solution fresh, so will continue with my lazy-man method.

tarev, as long as you're boiling the mixture on the stove, that how a lot of sources recommend to do it. Just don't microwave a mixture. I've seen sources that say you don't have to boil it at all, some say you can also boil the water, then add sugar. I don't really know which is better. My sugar does dissolve quickly in hot water, so I do heat part of the water...or all, if I'm only making one cup.

I boil my mixture over the stove always, then cool it down. My hummies love them a lot

I'm still waiting for the hummers to come back...it'll be good to see them!

My hummies are here, I think they never really leave. They are doing their usual territorial stance, chasing fellow hummies away so only that fierce one can lord its lair.

Now I'm curious - why would microwaving it be bad?

Oh, I read somewhere that microwaves often heat with higher heat than boiling water on stoves, so it could destroy sugar molecules in the solution...or something like that. Sometimes I wonder about these things...like whether they've been scientifically proven. I would guess it might be hard to get a grant for scientists to study hummingbird nectar making methods.

Oh, I read somewhere that microwaves often heat with higher heat than boiling water on stoves, so it could destroy sugar molecules in the solution...or something like that. Sometimes I wonder about these things...like whether they've been scientifically proven. I would guess it might be hard to get a grant for scientists to study hummingbird nectar making methods.