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Feeding hummingbirds in your backyard or garden can be a rewarding experience for all parties involved. Not only does having a hummingbird feeder provide you with an opportunity to see these small (and incredibly fast) birds up close, but you are also helping them get important nutrients during times when nectar-producing flowers are in short supply. However, these benefits can arguably come undone if you do not provide hummingbirds with the right type of nectar. If you are not making nectar from scratch, then the only type of premade hummingbird nectar you should buy ought to be free of red dyes, and it should also contain white sugar.

Hummingbirds are famously attracted to the color red, as well as other bright hues, such as oranges and yellows. In the wild, hummingbirds may tend to favor bright-colored flowers to eat nectar from. However, it is their love of red that explains why many store-bought feeders are red. In an erroneous attempt to lure them to their feeders, humans may mistakenly use nectar containing red dyes. Not only is this unnecessary, but the red dye can also harm hummingbirds. While the exact effects in hummingbirds need to be scientifically confirmed, experts believe red dye is associated with skin tumors, bill cancers, and egg hatching problems. What’s more, red dye #40 has been associated with problems in rodents, which have larger body masses. These are all reasons you should never buy red dye-containing commercial nectars, and why red dye is something you should never add to your hummingbird nectar.

The National Audubon Society argues that the best type of nectar for hummingbirds is the homemade kind. This involves a 1 to 4 ratio of white sugar and water, and is naturally clear in color. While homemade hummingbird nectar is surprisingly easy to make, the reality is that many hummingbird enthusiasts find themselves short on time and want to buy premade versions instead. Store-bought nectar is a viable option, but only if you avoid certain ingredients. As a rule of thumb, avoid any premade hummingbird nectar from a store that contains artificial ingredients, chemicals, and colored dyes of any kind. This includes red dye #40. You should also avoid products that are labeled as “natural,” or those that contain “vitamins and minerals,” as these claims are no guarantee that the liquid is adequate hummingbird food.

Instead, a healthy premade hummingbird nectar should contain white sugar and water only. In fact, this is the only sugar you should be using in your DIY hummingbird nectar, too. (You might also see white sugar labeled as “sucrose” on the product’s ingredient label.) One example is Hummingbird Momma’s Organic Hummingbird food packets, which are advertised as containing 100% organic sucrose. In the case of nectar packets, you would still need to combine the sucrose with water. Another good option is to shop at a bird supply store, as these niche markets are more likely to have products that are safer for your beloved hummingbirds. To err on the side of caution, though, always make sure that you read the ingredient label for any nectar in question.