By Tamara Galbraith

As fall brings the fading of several nectar-producing flowers, it's time to haul out the sugar bag and make the hummingbirds happy. They need lots of energy for their migrations south, so do your part in being a responsible hummingbird fan.

The tried-and-true formula for making hummingbird nectar is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Use regular water and plain old white granulated sugar. DO NOT use artificial colors, such as red dye or other additives, and NEVER use honey or artificial sweeteners, as this could kill the birds.

The ingredients can be mixed using cold water (shake vigorously to dissolve the sugar); however, the nectar will keep longer if brought to a boil, then cooled. Do not let the mixture continue to boil, as it will turn syrupy.

Your hummingbird feeder should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and mild soap, then rinsed and dried each time you change the nectar. Do not "top off" old sugar water. In hot weather, you should change the nectar twice a week. At the first sign of cloudy water or mold, clean and refill the feeder. Don't make more than the hummingbirds are eating in three days, it'll be a waste.

If you find your feeder is also providing a snack for ants, coat the hanger with a spray of cooking oil. (Many new feeders come with ant guards already built in.) Likewise, if wasps and bees are a problem, a second feeder with a higher concentration of sugar to water will give them their own eating station so the hummingbirds can drink in peace.

And, if you want to plant some hummingbird-attracting plants for next year, here's a brief list of their absolute favorites: salvia, hyssop, bee balm, honeysuckle, crossvine, turk's cap, morning glory, hibiscus, rose of sharon and scarlet creeper.

By Tamara Galbraith

Much of the country has seen record drought this summer. Watering restrictions have been in place for months in several regions.

Meanwhile, the spider mite party never ends.

Thriving in the hot, dry dregs of summer, a spider mite infestation may not be apparent on your plants until it's too late, since the little beasts generally live on the underside of leaves. If your plant's leaves turn yellow, then crumple and fall off, you could have a mite problem. Look for tiny red dots on the leaves' undersides. Spider mites also weave telltale webs at the stem crotches of plants.

An easy way to spot these webs is by spraying your plants with water in the early morning. The muted sunlight helps to highlight the webs. If you spot webs, turn the nozzle of your sprayer on "jet" if you've got such a setting and give your affected plants a good hard blast. The mites' party will be all wet.

To keep spider mites at bay, make sure your plants are getting all they need, as mites tend to attack plants in stress. In the heat of summer, make sure you are watering infrequently but deeply, mulching bare soil and not over-fertilizing.

A good miticide will also send the spider mite party packing.