If you’ve ever put out food for birds in your garden, you’ll know it can be a constant battle between your feathered friends and pests trying to get to any food that ends up on the lawn. But there’s a simple solution
For those keen to feed their feathered friends, it’s often a struggle to keep the food out of reach from pesky pests that swoop in for any morsels dropped on the lawn. After all, it’s not the birds’ fault if they scatter a few seeds.
However, a brilliant household tip has emerged to ensure the grub stays with the birds and doesn’t end up in the bellies of rodents. The solution to many people’s woes this August is simply a dash of chilli powder in their gardens.
While it might sound odd, chilli powder effectively wards off other critters from pinching food left out for birds, particularly during summer when birds are hard-pressed to find nourishment. This comes after news of a ‘Cheap hack to banish ‘invasive pests’ from your home during hot weather’.
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Bird numbers in the UK continue to dwindle, largely due to a decrease in available food sources. Insect populations have plummeted by up to 60 per cent in the UK over the last two decades, a drop attributed to habitat loss and climate change. This decline is thought to have knock-on effects throughout the food chain.
With fewer insects to feast on, birds run the risk of starvation, especially during spring and summer when they need to nest and feed their young. Hence why, gardeners are being encouraged to lend a hand to these birds by leaving out bird food, reports Chronicle Live.
Bird feed company Peckish states that although August is typically a quieter month for garden birds, it’s vital for gardeners to keep supplying food and water, which can be scarce during this period.
“August is widely recognised as a quiet month for garden birds. Many birds have finished breeding for the year and the abundance of wild food in the form of seeds, fruits, and insects means our garden feeders are in less demand,” their spokesperson explains.
“Common birds, such as Robin and Blackbirds, will also begin to moult at this time of year. Moulting allows birds to get rid of the worn feathers from a busy breeding season and prepare for migration and the cooler months ahead.”
They added: “Like us, they prefer to change their outfits in a private and safe space, so they slink about in the undergrowth as their ability to fly is reduced. Water is the most valuable commodity for birds in summer”.
They advised to “be sure to leave shallow trays of water out for birds, particularly during dry spells. Even better are ponds, which won’t need to be topped up as often, and will also provide insects for birds to eat”.
One difficulty of putting out bird food is that other nuisance animals, like grey squirrels, might attempt to pinch it. This is where chilli powder can prove particularly handy. If you have a birdbath or bird table, you can prepare a blend of chopped peanuts, seeds, mealworms, and slices of fruit, such as apples. Soak the mixture in water so that birds have access to vital hydration.
Bruised apples and pears are particularly attractive to birds, and you can also use household scraps like pastry, cooked rice, and breadcrumbs, though the RSPB recommends using these in moderation. Before you lay out the feast for your feathered friends, make sure to give everything a good dusting of chilli powder or flakes – yes, that includes the water.
Birds don’t mind the spice at all, but it’ll send squirrels and foxes packing, so the birds can peck away in peace. The bird-loving RSPB suggest that when you’re shopping for bird grub, aim for a stellar selection of peanuts, seeds, and some wriggly treats like mealworms and waxworms.
They went on, adding: “Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and blackbirds. Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally”.
For an extra kick, they say: “Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food. Birds aren’t bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can’t put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone.” And if you’re raising an eyebrow at this spicy tactic, rest assured The Express has given it a whirl and vouches for its effectiveness.