Chilli-powder flakes are a common deterrent for squirrels trying to access bird feeders, but certain weather forecasts means their effectiveness can dwindle
Chilli-powder flakes can be mixed among bird seed to keep squirrels away from garden bird feeders. The spicy mix doesn’t affect birds, but squirrels cannot stand the taste.
Gardeners’ World recommends mixing the flakes, or the powder into the bird mix, before placing it into the feeder. While this may not stop squirrels from clambering onto them, they’ll soon realise that the food they were after is not what they were expecting. That’s because the active ingredient in chilli powder, capsaicin, also gives off a strong smell that squirrels dislike.
People don’t necessarily have to use chilli-powder flakes, there’s a whole variety of spicier concoctions that can be added. These range from cayenne pepper, curry powder, tabasco, red pepper, hot sauce and even hot paprika. Gardeners worried about over-spicing birds need not worry, as they can eat such foods and flavourings with ease.
This is because their taste receptors are somewhat different to humans’ and squirrels’, which means they do not recognise the burning sensation in their mouths. Birds can still demolish their seeds with such powders mixed among them, or even scattered around the edges.
Vigilance in some weather conditions
While such hot ingredients are great deterrents all year round, special attention must be paid to how much is left during wet and windy weather. Such conditions can see the chill powder blown out of bird feeders, or quickly dissolve among a mixture.
This means during a period of rain, bird feeders may not be as protected as gardeners initially thought with squirrels jumping straight back onto them as soon as they realise.
Michelle Rosser, co-founder and managing director of Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm spoke to Ideal Home and revealed why it’s a great method, but also spoke about its downsides. She said: “Its effectiveness can vary based on the species of animals, their hunger level and environmental factors (like rain washing it away).” She did still urge people to use it sparingly to avoid any irritation to birds.
The RSPB said: “Whole-grain mixes will perform better in wet weather, as the outer casings of seeds offer some protection from water; but avoid things like crushed nuts, flakes or dried mealworms which will rapidly collapse into a soggy mess – and be very unpleasant to clean up.”
The Met Office this week forecasts a mixed week in terms of forecasts, with sunny spells and scattered showers expected today (February 25). For the rest of the week, gardeners should expect outbreaks of rain with some sun towards the weekend.
