How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

Why Hummingbirds Are Worth Attracting

Few backyard visitors generate as much excitement as hummingbirds. Their speed, agility, and iridescent color make them unlike any other wild bird, and once they discover a reliable food source, they return to it repeatedly throughout the season. 

In the Mid-Atlantic region, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the primary species to expect and the only hummingbird native to the area. They typically arrive in late April or early May as they migrate north, and they remain through early fall before heading south again. Setting up the right habitat before they arrive gives them a reason to settle in rather than pass through. 

Attracting hummingbirds does not require a complicated setup. A quality feeder, a reliable nectar source, and a few thoughtful plant choices are enough to get started. Maintenance and consistency are what keeps them coming back. 

Choosing the Right Hummingbird Feeder

The feeder is the foundation of any hummingbird setup, and the right choice makes a meaningful difference in how easy it is to maintain and how effectively it attracts birds. 

A few things to look for when selecting a feeder: 

Ease of cleaning. Nectar spoils quickly in warm weather, which means feeders need to be cleaned and refilled frequently. Feeders that disassemble easily and have wide access points make this task much less of a chore. 

Capacity. Smaller feeders are often better in early spring when traffic is light. As the season picks up and more birds are visiting, a larger capacity feeder reduces how often it needs to be refilled. The key is to use a size that gets emptied and cleaned before the nectar has a chance to go bad. 

Red coloring. Hummingbirds are strongly attracted to red. Feeders with red bases, ports, or accents are more likely to catch their attention, particularly when birds are scouting a new area. You can also buy nectar with bird safe red coloring, but it’s not necessary if you buy a feeder that has some red coloring! 

The Mill's hummingbird collection includes a range of feeder styles and sizes to fit different yards and preferences. Options include: 

Nectar: What to Use and How to Make It

Nectar is the primary food source that draws hummingbirds to a feeder. Whether using a ready-to-use product or mixing at home, getting the formula right matters. 

The standard homemade nectar recipe is a simple one-to-four ratio of plain white granulated sugar to water. For example, one cup of sugar dissolved in four cups of water produces a concentration that closely mirrors the natural nectar found in flowers. The water does not need to be boiled as long as the sugar fully dissolves, though boiling can extend freshness slightly. Red food dye is not necessary and is best avoided in homemade mixes. 

For those who prefer a pre-made option, The Mill carries several nectar products: 

Regardless of the product used, nectar should be changed every two to three days in warm weather and more frequently during peak summer heat. Cloudy or discolored nectar should be discarded immediately. 

Keeping Feeders Clean and Pest-Free

A clean feeder is a safe feeder. Mold and fermented nectar can harm hummingbirds, and ants and bees can quickly take over a feeder if left unaddressed. 

Cleaning: Feeders should be rinsed with hot water and scrubbed thoroughly at every refill. The CareFree Enzymes Hummingbird Feeder Cleaner is an effective enzyme-based cleaner that removes residue and mold without the use of harsh chemicals that could linger in the feeder. 

Ants: Ants are one of the most common feeder problems. The solution is simple: an ant moat. The Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders  fills with water and creates a barrier that prevents ants from reaching the nectar. The Ant-Off Ant Guard from Audubon is another effective option that can be added to any feeder hanger. 

Bees and wasps: Choosing feeders with bee guards over the ports and keeping the outside of the feeder clean of drips and spills reduces the likelihood of attracting all insects, including bees and wasps! 

Feeder Placement Tips

Where a feeder is placed affects how quickly hummingbirds find it and how comfortable they are using it. 

If hummingbirds have not visited a feeder within the first week or two, moving it to a different location is worth trying before assuming the area is not frequented by hummingbirds. 

Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

A feeder brings hummingbirds in, but the right plants give them a reason to stay. Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to tubular, nectar-rich flowers, and they tend to prefer red, orange, and pink blooms. 

Some of the most reliable hummingbird-attracting plants for Mid-Atlantic gardens include: 

Native plants are particularly valuable because they have evolved alongside local hummingbird populations and provide nectar at the times of year when hummingbirds are most active. Planting a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers extends the feeding window throughout the summer. 

The Mill's flower seed collection includes a variety of pollinator-friendly options that can help build out a hummingbird-friendly garden. Visit your local Mill store today for expert advice on the best plantings to help your landscape attract hummingbirds. 

More Wild Bird Resources from The Mill

Hummingbirds are just one part of what makes a backyard bird habitat rewarding. The Mill's Wild Bird Blog covers a wide range of species, and the ongoing Wild Bird of the Month series. 

For personalized guidance on feeders, feed choices, or backyard habitat, The Mill's Ask a Wild Bird Expert service connects customers directly with knowledgeable staff. 

Browse the full hummingbird collection and the broader Wild Bird department at themillstores.com, or stop into any local The Mill store to get recommendations in person.