If you’re feeding birds this winter to help them survive through the gruelling weather, you might subsequently also welcome pigeons and rats into the garden. Here’s how to deter the pests, and make sure they don’t steal all the food
Our gardens can attract a whole host of unwanted pests during the colder months.
With freezing temperatures, rain, and even snow savaging the UK in recent weeks, many Brits have packed up their patio furniture and headed inside. Our gardens may seem bleak and unappealing to us, but for wildlife – they can be an essential source of food.
If you put food out for birds, you can help them survive the gruelling winter and their migration – especially if all of the fallen berries and seeds have already been gobbled up by greedy pigeons. TV presenter and acclaimed British horticulturist Monty Don recommends putting out ‘calorific’ food such as seeds, nuts, and fat.
“Left-over Pastry, bread and rice always get eaten fast and fruit is good, especially for blackbirds and thrushes,” he wrote in his eponymously named blog. “Grated cheese is popular as well as cooked (but not raw) potatoes. Avoid anything salty such as crisps, salted peanuts or bacon… If in doubt sunflower seeds and fat-balls – preferably hanging so tits can land on them without being bullied away by more aggressive birds – are invariably popular.”
Monty also stresses the importance of leaving water out for birds too, especially when temperatures have dropped below freezing. However, if you’re using a traditional bird table, you might not just attract cute robins or colourful blue tits, and may spot the odd pigeon, rat, and grey squirrel trying to steal some food.
Pouring seeds in the cracks of an old log will help smaller birds get food that pigeons won’t be able to reach, while placing food in hangers with fitted guards can prevent squirrels and rats from having a feast. Most reputable wildlife charities urge households to avoid placing fat balls in plastic nets, as birds including woodpeckers can get their tongues caught in them.
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“Rats can also be a problem, [as they’re] attracted to fallen food,” experts over at the Royal Horticultural Society said. “Regularly move feeding stations around the garden to reduce a build up of spilt food and only put out enough food that is likely to be eaten within a few days.”
There are other hacks to deter rats from your garden, without using harmful chemicals and poison. These include putting onions out, growing Chrysanthemums, and sprinkling black pepper on your flower beds and soil. Strong scents like lavender, eucalyptus, mint and garlic may also help shoo away the pests.
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