Use An Egg Carton To DIY A Hummingbird Feeder With Fruit They Love

If you're up for a fun, eco-friendly project, try turning an old egg carton into a hummingbird feeder. This simple trick is similar to using an egg carton to attract birds to your yard, but instead of bird seed, you'll fill the container with fruit. It's also a great way to reuse something you'd probably just toss out. 

Most of us only think of sugary nectar when it comes to feeding hummingbirds, and while they may gravitate toward this option first, fruits like berries, apples, pears, and oranges can be a sweet treat for them too – especially when the juicy bits are exposed. The sweetness of the fruit attracts not just the hummingbirds but also insects such as ants and fruit flies, which are also part of the hummingbird's diet, giving them extra protein and nutrients. So, when you see insects around the fruit in your DIY feeder, it's actually making it an even better treat for hummingbirds who will get both their sweet fix and some extra protein.

To kick off this DIY project, you'll need a few things: an empty egg carton, some string or twine, scissors, red paint, and a mix of fruits that will attract hummingbirds. Berries like strawberries and raspberries are perfect since they're already small, fleshy, and the color red is attractive to hummingbirds. For apples, pears, and oranges, make sure to peel and cut them into pieces so the juicy parts are easy for the hummingbirds to sip from.

Start by cutting off the lid of your egg carton, leaving you with the bottom part that has the little cups where the eggs sat. These cups will be your mini fruit bowls. Next, paint your carton red, as this color should be added to your garden to attract hummingbirds. Then, poke a small hole in each corner of the egg carton so you can thread the string or twine through it. This will let you hang your feeder up when you're done.

Now,  for the fun part — preparing the fruits. Cut the berries into halves or quarters if they're large, and slice the apples and pears into small chunks. Place a bit of fruit in each egg cup, and feel free to mix up the fruits to give the hummers some variety. 

Once you've got the fruits in place, tie the ends of the string or twine together and find a safe spot in your yard to hang your hummingbird feeder — don't make the mistake of putting it in the wrong spot. Near some flowering plants would be ideal since hummers frequent those areas. While they may prefer the flowers over the fruit feeder, some may feed from both. Make sure the feeder's secure and not too low so other critters can't get to it. Also don't forget to check it regularly to see if the fruits have dried out or rotted, and replace the pieces with fresh ones as needed.