*Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?*
*A:* No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have
additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the
hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 8:13 PM Alyson Hoge <
<000002096ce84bce-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> All —
>
> Has anyone ever heard of feeding hummingbirds honey mixed with water? Has
> there been any scientific research into it?
>
> This past week, a nature tour guide said that instead of feeding sugar
> mixed with water, we should use honey because it has nutrients lacking in
> sugar syrup.
>
> But do hummers access honey in the wild?
>
> What I’ve always heard is:
>
> — One part sugar to four parts water approximates the nectar that hummers
> drink.
>
> — This combo supplies energy while insects supply everything else.
>
> — Don’t make the solution with anything other than white granulated sugar
> or maybe fructose.
>
> I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about this.
>
> The suggested ratio was 2 parts honey to 1 part water.
>
> Alyson Hoge
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