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    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

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    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Domestic violence victim advocate Randolph arrested on domestic violence charge

    Domestic violence victim advocate Randolph arrested on domestic violence charge

    Kentucky lawmakers announce five legislative task forces for the 2025 interim session

    City agrees in principle to gift a parcel of land to AKZ, which plans a new building on Powell Street

    City deeds Powell Street parcel to AKZ

    Green River Road #1 rehab completed

    Green River Road #1 rehab completed

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

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    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

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    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

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    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pittsburg uses new construction process to build a new type of water storage tank

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Pitching ace Kemp uses bat to send Lady Cols to state again

    Domestic violence victim advocate Randolph arrested on domestic violence charge

    Domestic violence victim advocate Randolph arrested on domestic violence charge

    Kentucky lawmakers announce five legislative task forces for the 2025 interim session

    City agrees in principle to gift a parcel of land to AKZ, which plans a new building on Powell Street

    City deeds Powell Street parcel to AKZ

    Green River Road #1 rehab completed

    Green River Road #1 rehab completed

    Trending Tags

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    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    Blazing-fast broadband services now available to the majority of homes in the city and county

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    HMP&L signs initial agreement to build a battery energy storage system on South Green Street

    In some parts of the U.S., the grid of the future might be closer than you think

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    Henderson joins West Kentucky Film Commission with hopes of luring movie makers here

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    Executive director says this year’s arts alliance lineup gives people what they want

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    2000 baseball Cols remember fondly state championship season a quarter century later

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    Summer Sunset Series, SummerFest ratchet up Henderson festival season this week

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

    May the summer blockbuster season begin!

  • Lifestyle
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    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    The Gnomes of Audubon Forest, a Henderson Tourist Commission initiative, is a scavenger hunt for all ages

    No Kentucky Home, Part 4: A missing bench comes to symbolize missing solutions to homelessness

    No Kentucky Home, Part 3: A church called its vision for housing a ‘Beacon of Hope.’ The mayor had concerns.

    No Kentucky Home, Part 2: After living outdoors for weeks, she got a place to sleep, a shower — and a job

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    HCHS grad Tyler Brocato currently competing in a national chef competition

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

    Flying through ATL this travel season? Lucky you

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Home Outdoors

Hummingbird season best tips

Vince Tweddell by Vince Tweddell
February 11, 2025
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(Published in print June 28, 2023)

Some say ¼ cup of sugar to a cup of water.

Some say ½ cup of sugar to a cup of water.

Still some say the sweeter, the better–a cup of sugar to a cup of water.

Summer has come, hummingbirds are dive-bombing in your backyard, and the debate is on about the best ways to attract them. Andy Rideout, extension agent for horticulture at the UK Henderson County

Extension Office, recently spoke with the Hendersonian to offer the best tips to quell any disagreements.

Rideout said sweeter is not necessarily better.

“Anything more than half a cup, you’re really wasting sugar at that point,” he said.

Rideout said the ideal mix is ¼ cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. If you want someting stiffer,  a ½ cup of sugar mix can work, but don’t go more than that.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, there are more than 360 species of hummingbirds in the world—all in the western hemisphere. In the eastern part of the United States, and in Henderson County, only one hummingbird species exists, the ruby-throated hummingbird, according to the website.

Their wings flap 50 times per second and their hearts beat 1,200 times per minute. To fuel their small, hard-working bodies, they eat nectar from flowers.

Rideout said that finding a feeder that most resembles flowers is another tip to bring more hummingbirds to your backyard. He said coloring the sugar water red, a common practice, does nothing to attract hummingbirds. And the dyes in the water can hurt hummingbirds, he said.

Hummingbirds instinctually remember where they’ve been and fed before, so if you’ve put out a feeder for years—and kept it full—then there’s a good chance the hummingbirds that have fed in your yard in the past will return, Rideout said.

Part of the draw for hummingbird enthusiasts is the bird’s personality. Rideout said—just like people—hummingbirds have attitude, especially when it comes to feeding. If several hummingbirds regularly come to your yard to feed, most likely you’ll witness some aerial battles full of amazing tactical maneuvers as they squabble over food. To break up those fights, put two or three feeders out, Rideout said.

A final piece of advice—and one Rideout has received angry letters about—is to grease the pole on which you hang your feeder with Vaseline. The purpose is to keep the ants away.

Readers reminded Rideout that Vaseline is oil-based and detrimental to the birds’ health. But he’s still confident about greasing only the bottom two inches of the pole because the birds won’t encounter it there.

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Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell

Vince Tweddell is the founder, publisher and editor of the Hendersonian.

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Minton, longtime Aububon supporter, celebrates 100th

Minton, longtime Aububon supporter, celebrates 100th

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