I’ve cut down the 1 cup to 1/2 cup, not as many hummingbirds that way, but that’s okay as I would be changing their sweet water everyday. Here is an interesting story: A few years ago we would find dead hummingbirds at the foot of the feeders. Couldn’t figure it out, until we saw a preying mantis sitting on the feeder, clutching a hummingbird around the neck, sucking on its head. Mantis feed on hummingbirds that way and then discard whats left. We don’t leave the feeders up past Labor Day, so now the Mantis aren’t big enough to catch their prey.
Sorry, but you should not cut the sugar content. This has been researched and published many times on the internet.
Again, I apologize if I offend, but if you’re not going to do it right, then don’t feed them at all.
I’ve heard about the praying mantis problem, and thank God, I have never had that happen in my yard.