Has anyone ever try organic surgar for the hummingbirds???DOES draws it them back for more drinkss.Or is it just a waste of money.

Do you mean the organic "raw sugar" that is light brown in color?

You should avoid giving hummingbirds any sugar that is brown in color, whether it is organic or not organic. Brown sugar has molasses in it, which has iron. Although it's perfectly healthy for humans, the iron in it is bad for hummingbirds.

You should always use granulated, pure white sugar. I buy Domino usually, and the bag says "Sugar Premium Pure cane granulated." I don't know if there is such a thing as organic pure white sugar, but every time I've seen a sugar that is labelled "organic," it is some shade of brown. Please don't use brown sugar!

I wonder how beet sugar (if the package doesn't say Cane sugar chances are it's beet) sits with the birds? Anyone know?

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

I will not buy organic sugar.Thank you,I will continue to buy dominno cane sugar.

I haven't tried beet sugar since cane sugar is so readily available. I don't have swarms of hummingbirds, so cost isn't an issue for me.

I read somewhere that hummingbirds may not like beet sugar as well as cane sugar. I'm not sure if this is true or not, and whether I believe the source. The explanation given is that beet sugar may have a residual taste, something left over from the beets that the hummingbirds don't like. Maybe someone on the forum has read more about this. This came up a while back, and now I don't remember where I read about cane sugar versus beet sugar.

I can't address whether beet sugar is less safe, or just as safe, as cane sugar. However, speaking anecdotally, quite a few people in the past have reported that hummer usage of feeders seemed to plummet when they weren't using pure cane sugar--especially beet sugar.

In my experience, cane sugar is so labeled, whereas anything labeled "white sugar" is most likely at least partially from other sources, possibly beets. Except during the peak months of migration in August and September, I don't think the cost difference here is even noticeable. Even during those months, I suspect my cost difference is less than $10 - or about the cost of two small hummingbird plants when replanting season comes along. Of course, for those who have throngs at their feeders almost year-round, it's not necessarily quite so easy a decision.

Kevin Morgan
Baton Rouge LA

Last summer there were times when I used beet sugar as I went thru quite a bit of sugar at my place and I did not notice a down turn of hummer useage. It is readily considered best to use the cane white granulated sugar Im just saying I didnt notice any difference in hummer useage.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Organic or raw sugar isn't necessary and it is usually more expensive. Stick with plain white granulated sugar.

If a bag of sugar is not labeled specifically PURE CANE sugar it is generally beet sugar. Many store brand sugars are made from beet sugar. and in some areas like BC it is what is available. It is just as safe to use as cane sugar but it isn't quite a sweet as cane sugar. I have used it in a pinch but I have noticed that if both are offered in seperate feeders the hummers prefer the cane sugar. Bottom line...if all you can get is beet sugar, you can use it with no ill effects.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I read somewhere it dosn't really matter if the sugar is cane or beet. I have used both kinds. The most important thing is to keep it fresh.

birdlegs
zone 5
S.E. Lower MI.