Don't Toss A Plastic Bottle — Attract Hummingbirds With An Easy DIY

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Plastic bottles are generally thought of as single-use products. Often, after the water or soda is gone, people just toss them in the recycling bin. But you don't have to get rid of them so quickly. There are lots of brilliant ways to reuse empty plastic bottles. One of the easiest is to turn one into a simple feeder for the hummingbirds visiting your yard. With a bottle, a straw, some twine, and a few basic tools, you can create a DIY hummingbird feeder.

Hummingbirds need a lot of calories relative to their size to keep up with their fast-paced lives, so providing a feeder for extra sustenance can make a big difference and is a great way to attract birds to your garden. While plenty of good hummingbird feeders are available for sale, you likely already have the supplies necessary to make your own DIY version. In addition to a clean water bottle and its cap, you'll also need a bendable straw and some string or twine to hang your feeder. The only tools you'll need are scissors, a glue gun, and a drill. As far as the bottle goes, choose one sturdy enough to hang securely, and wash and rinse it thoroughly before using it.

Begin by carefully drilling a hole in the cap of your water bottle. Make it just wide enough for the straw to fit snugly. Next, tie your string or twine around your water bottle. Tie it securely, and make sure you have enough extra length to secure it to a branch. Remember that the bottle will hang upside down, so test the knot to make sure it's sturdy. Next, use the hot glue gun to secure the straw through the hole in the lid, ensuring the bent side faces out. If needed, use your glue gun to reinforce the string to the bottle. Once the adheisive is dry, fill your bottle with hummingbird nectar, screw on the lid, and tie your feeder to a tree for local hummers to enjoy.

You don't need to use hummingbird nectar that's been dyed red. If you want to make the feeder attract more hummingbirds, consider tying a red ribbon or adding another red accent to the outside instead. Remember, these feeders need to be emptied and cleaned regularly (multiple times a week). A solution of hot water and hydrogen peroxide, or water and vinegar, works well for this task. And don't forget the straw — the desin Long Straw Brush or a similar option should help keep it clean if you choose not to replace it.