I would explain to them that the commercial nectar contains red Dye #40 which I believe is made from coal tar. Below is an indepth article by Lanny Chambers of Hummingbirds.net It is copied in part directly from his website. Glo, Feel free to print it and give it to your neighbors.

"PLEASE DON"T USE RED DYE....
Here are some facts:

Several experienced, licensed wildlife rehabilitators have told me that they see disturbing damage in hummers that were known to use dyed syrup, including tumors of the bill and liver. As far as I know, their observations have not been published in a refereed journal. If you're compulsive about "scientific" proof, you don't have to believe them. But I do.

P-P claims that its dye is USDA (actually FDA) approved. It's apparently red dye #40, also known as Allura Red AC, an azo dye made form coal tar. The FDA appoves things that humans eat, and does no testing on the effects of food additives upon wildlife. It is a mistake to assume that hummingbirds are affected by chemicals in the same way as humans; in fact, our physiologies are quite different.
But what if it were approved? Tylenol is FDA approved, but feed it to your cat and it will die (acetaminophen is highly toxic to cats). Some humans are sufficiently allergic to red dye #40 that mere contact will send them into shock. Further, the FDA recommends that humans do not ingest large quantities of a single dye product, but this is exactly what happens to hummingbirds at feeders with red syrup: a steady diet of one dye.

Despite the FDA approval of red dye #40, enough scientific evidence has accumulated that it has been banned in a number of countries. See these links:
Developmental toxicity and psychotoxicity of FD and C red dye No. 40 (allura red AC) in rats
DNA damage induced by red food dyes orally administered to pregnant and male mice
Structural basis of the mutagenicity of 1-amino-2-naphthol-based azo dyes
Legal status of food additives

Red dye is TOTALLY UNNECESSARY to attract hummingbirds. Reports of informal experiments using side by side feeders, one with red syrup and one with plain, suggested that the birds do not like the taste of red dye.

Natural flower nectar is clear, not red. Hummingbirds don't look at nectar anyway, they look for flowers of the right shape and color, and nearly all hummingbird feeders are red plastic. For the ones that aren't, tie on some red ribbon or surveyor's tape if the birds need help finding them.

The only constituents found in all flower nectars are water and sugar. There are trace amounts of electrolyte salts and other chemicals, but they are different for each plant, they may come from dust and bugs that contaminate the nectar, and there is no proof that hummingbirds use or need them for good health. In any event, none of the hummingbird food mixes seem to make an attempt to duplicate flower nectar accurately.
I challenge any manufacturer to show that the preservatives and other ingredients in their commercial mixes (except water and sugar) have been scientifically tested for safety as a hummingbird food supplement. I won't, however, insult them by pretending to offer $100.
The bottom line: red dye is unnecessary, and contributes absolutely nothing to the good health of a hummingbird. In fact, its effects on hummingbirds are unproven. It is at best useless. Why take the chance?

Our good stewardship of hummingbirds demands conservatism in how we impact their lives. If you see the logic in my position, let the manufacturers and the stores that sell their products know how you feel." ~ Lanny Chambers

Hope this will enlighten your neighbors.

Penny

Glo - I was visiting my sister and BIL and noticed they had red nectar in their feeder, and not a single hummer coming to it. I changed their nectar that day, left them with a weeks supply in their fridge, showed them this site and hopefully now, their migrating birds are using the feeder.It would be different with a neighbor, but sometimes having "Data" helps. Good luck in your pursuit.

Penny - Thanks for providing the fact sheet. Also thanks for pointing out that protein powder isn't good to put in nectar either.

Ruth

GloK

That is too funny! I vote for accidentally spilling it and just having some extra to replace it with. Does stuck on stupid come to mind? I'm going to see if I can find an old article from HBSG Netlines and send it to you. You'll love it.

jp

Hmmmm....I'm thinking of a house up the road from me who uses red dyed nectar....I don't know the people at all, so I'm thinking of printing out the report and tucking it in their doorknob....

A couple of weeks ago at a very large retailer that we all know, there were literally CASES & CASES of the RED stuff on the shelves, made by a company that we also know. They know it's migration time and more people are seeing the HBs and want to attract them to their yards. Since it's all about the MONEY to both the manufacturer and the retailer, I wonder if it would be possible to convince either of them to stop selling this potential poison? Linda

I have at least one convert! I saw on my way home last night that one of my neighbors has gotten rid of the red! Yippy skippy! I'll keep working on the others! I'm going to take a print out to the others now too! Thanks everyone!

glpo

Keep up the good work Glo! BTW, I have located my girlfriend in Biloxi yesterday and she is safe.

Penny

Oh Penny I am so happy for you!!! They've finally located all of our LM people down there and have them all safe. We're sending tons of stuff down from the rest of the employees here, and from what I hear, the company is going to be helping them as well.

glo

Penny, that is great news!!! I know you are very relieved. The worst part of this horror is not knowing where your friends and loved ones are or if they are alive or dead.

We are getting quite a few survivors here in my city. People are offering rent-free housing and soooo many are helping with donations of every kind. Linda

Thanks Linda and Glo, Yes the worst part is not knowing. I spent literally every waking hour over the past week posting to every message board and agency I could find so I can imagine what it is like for families. Another good outcome was another former friend and neighbor of ours (we all hung around together)saw one of my posts on a message board and contacted me. We haven't seen each other since we all transferrd from Biloxi. Now we have all been reunited and plan to stay in touch and visit one another.

My found friend Sue told me over the phone yesterday that the hummies are all over her yard there in Biloxi. She said she can't keep the feeders filled so folks those babies are there and they are hungry.

Penny

I don't suspose the Red Cross would send feeders and sugar. I wonder if there are any wildlife people in the area who could help the little guys out? Linda

I personally think that sharing the info that there is no need to dye the sugar water red to attract the hummingbirds (anything colorful, especially red, will attract them) is one thing - but that considering draining a neighbor's feeder is going way too far.

Turns out that simply everything has a potential for harm to someone, somewhere, in great enough dose. Given enough distilled water, you drown!

Jim

Sorry to give the wrong impression, Jim. We are not a violent or sadistic group and jesting about emptying someones feeder is all that was done. I would no more destroy someone else's feeder than I would ransack their home. I have shared information and hope it hasn't fallen on deaf ears. The only other thing I have done is to make sure I have tons of flowers that attract the babies to my yard and hung lots of feeders that I maintain to make sure they get the "right" stuff to the best of my ability.

so...welcome to the most caring, hummer friendly board you'll find!

glo

Ditto and amen!!! Linda