QUESTION: I would like to make my own food for hummingbirds, but I have run out of red food colouring. Is there something that I can substitute in place of food coloring to attract hummingbirds to my yard? Thanks, Vince, Thompson
Answer: It is best not to use red food colouring when making your own hummingbird food, as the colouring can be hazardous to the adorable little birds. All you need to do is combine one part sugar to four parts water. Mix and pour inside your feeder.
Most feeders nowadays are red, which in itself will attract the birds to your yard.
You can also tie a big red bow to the feeder to capture their attention, or attract hummingbirds to the feeder by hanging it amidst red flowers in a shady or partially shady area. Hummingbirds only supplement their diet with a feeder, their main food sources are soft-shelled bugs and spiders as well as flower nectar. Be sure to clean the feeder on a regular basis and do not use dish soap as this can make the birds sick. Regular hummingbird visitors will sometimes drink out of your hand.
Tie a red ribbon onto your wrist and hold out some hummingbird juice in your palm. I have seen hummingbirds drink directly out of hands of patient people.
Question: I own several pets, and therefore my baseboards are constantly coated with pet hair and dust. Please share some easy cleaning tips. Jess, Grunthal
Answer: Using the dust attachment on your vacuum, clean your baseboards regularly. You can also wipe baseboards with a fabric softener sheet. This cleans the baseboards and helps repel dust and fur from the boards.
Question: Please provide me with an easy way to clean my makeup brushes. Samantha, Winnipeg
Answer: Separate synthetic brushes from natural animal hair brushes. Pour a little water into a clear container; add a few drops of dish soap.
Swish the synthetic brushes in the mixture.
Pour water into another container with shampoo (just add enough water to cover the animal hair brushes). Swish the brushes until clean. Dry on a towel. Be careful not to allow the water to soak the handle so the adhesive that holds the bristles doesn’t let go.
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
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