This is when the first Ruby-throats may appear in Pennsylvania and your feeder could serve as a valuable food source until more flowers bloom or in case of a late frost. Hummingbirds can still be found in Pennsylvania through mid to late October. To attract hummingbirds to your feeder in the spring, mix a nectar of one cup sugar to two cups water. After a few weeks, change your recipe to one cup of sugar and four cups of water. As summer reaches full bloom, use only one cup sugar to eight cups water.
Strong recipes used over a long period can be harmful to the birds.
Do not add any coloring to the nectar mix. The feeder itself will attract the birds, and coloring can cause liver damage. Heat the solution until the sugar dissolves and let it cool prior to filling the feeder. Your feeders should receive fresh nectar every day and be thoroughly cleaned once a week. Feeders with insect guards will help deter ants and bees, as will a coating of petroleum jelly on the hanger.