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Can You Use Powdered Sugar for Hummingbird Food?
Can You Use Powdered Sugar for Hummingbird Food?. Powdered sugar should never be used to make nectar for hummingbirds. Powdered sugar contains corn starch, which can make the hummingbird nectar quickly spoil by fermenting. This can kill the birds.
Powdered sugar should never be used to make nectar for hummingbirds. Powdered sugar contains corn starch, which can make the hummingbird nectar quickly spoil by fermenting. This can kill the birds.
Problems
Fermented nectar can kill hummingbirds by causing their livers to suddenly enlarge, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. This can also kill orioles, which also like to drink from hummingbird feeders.
Alternative
The best type of sugar to use for hummingbird feeders is granulated white sugar. It does not contain corn starch. Brown sugar contains more iron than a hummingbird can digest easily.
Time Frame
Even properly made hummingbird sugar water can ferment after two or three days. This fermented sugar water nectar can also grow dangerous molds and bacteria that may kill birds that drink it. It's best to clean a nectar feeder every three days.
