How To Attract Hummingbirds Into Your Yard

Have you ever seen a hummingbird up close? They’re small, about 3 inches long, and have large eyes that give them an almost hypnotic appearance. You might have even spotted one during the day or early evening; they’re attracted to flowers for nectar and can be found hovering above flowers in gardens. But how do you attract them to your yard? Here are 7 tips to get hummingbirds in your yard:

1. Set up a flower nectar source

Hummingbirds are drawn to nectar for its sweetness, which gives flowers a competitive advantage over other insects. You’ll likely get the most hummingbirds by setting up a flower nectar source in your yard. This can be as simple as planting a few flowering bushes that bloom throughout the year.

2. Provide shelter and food

It’s important to provide hummingbirds with shelter and food for them to take shelter and feed from. You can create shelter by planting flowering bushes or hanging a bird feeder from a tree. It’s best to leave feeders unattended. This reduces the risk of hummingbirds being fed within an hour of insects feeding on them. You can also create a hummingbird feeder nectar source in your yard.

3. Install a bird feeder

Setting up a bird feeder is a great way to attract a variety of species to your yard. The important thing is to choose a feeder that suits the species of birds that you’re trying to attract. Buy a feeder that’s large enough to accommodate the number of hummingbirds that you’re trying to attract. Hummingbirds are attracted to a wide variety of nectar sources, and they’re also attracted to sugar water. This means that you’re likely to attract hummingbirds with a wide variety of feeder types, including sugar water and nectar sources such as suet, flower, and fruit.

4. Plant hummingbird-friendly flowers

Now that you’ve set up a flower nectar source and provided shelter and food, it’s time to start planting hummingbird-friendly flowers. It’s best to plant flowers native to your region and the region where you live. This will help ensure that you’re attracting hummingbirds and not those from other areas. The flowers that hummingbirds prefer include: Red Daylilies. (Hemorocallis, Zones 3 to 10) Columbine. (Aquilegia, Zones 3 to 9) Cardinal Flower. (Lobelia cardinalis, Zones 3 to 9) Penstemon. (Penstemon, Zones 3 to 9) Bee Balm. (Monarda didyma, Zones 3 to 9) Hibiscus. (Hibiscus species, Zones 4 to 10)

5. Create a hummingbird sanctuary garden

A hummingbird garden is a great way to attract and house hummingbirds in your yard. Hummingbird gardens are usually set up for just one species to reduce the risk of it being overwhelmed by the numbers. It’s best to create a garden that’s about 2–3 feet across to suit the hummingbird’s size, and you can either create your own with native plants or buy an existing garden of a similar size. It’s best to plant flowers that are at their peak during the hummingbird’s summer season.

6. Keep your yard clean and tidy

Hummingbirds are attracted to clean and tidy surroundings. This means that you should keep your yard tidy and clean. This includes taking out the trash and raking up any leaves and debris in your yard. It also includes keeping your gutters clear and free of leaves, twigs, and other debris.

7. Don’t bother with fancy decor; just be natural

A final tip is to avoid using any artificial hummingbird feeders, nectar sources, or decorations. Hummingbirds are attracted to the natural beauty of flowers, not the pomp and circumstance of artificial decorations. A hummingbird garden is best, as it’s the most natural. Hummingbirds are small and delicate. They’re not big fans of messy gardens or yards, which is why it’s so important to attract them to your yard. It’s also important to keep your yard clean and tidy to reduce the risk of attracting wasps, bees, and other insects that hummingbirds find unpleasant.