Gardeners have been advised to protect their bird feeders from wildlife pests with a reliable kitchen condiment that nearly all of us have in the cupboard or on the spice rack
Gardeners are encouraged to guard their bird feeders against wildlife pests using this cheap and realiabe kitchen essential (Image: Getty Images)
Bird feeders are an excellent way to attract wildlife to your garden, but be cautious of drawing in unwanted pests.
As spring draws near and birds prepare for their breeding season, gardeners are encouraged to add this simple kitchen ingredient to bird feeders to deter pests and ensure that the food remains untouched for all the hungry birds. To deter pests from invading your bird feeder this spring, try incorporating strong chilli powder or pepper sauce, such as Tabasco, into the feed mixture.
Chilli powder is an affordable and safe alternative to ensure that only the intended recipients can eat the bird seeds from the feeder. Unlike many animals, birds cannot taste the effects of spice. The seasoning can be picked up from supermarkets such as Tesco for as little as £1.
Birds are biologically unable to register the effects of capsaicin, which is the chemical that makes peppers feel ‘hot in your mouth, burns, but they don’t feel the burn like humans do. Birds have different taste receptors than mammals, especially for capsaicin, because the receptor it would typically bind to in other mammals is not present in birds. Bird feeders come in various shapes and sizes, making them an excellent way to invite nature into your garden and learn more about the birds in your area. When choosing a location for your bird feeder, choose one that is quiet, safe, and sheltered from harsh weather.
Potent chilli powders or pepper sauces, like Tabasco, can be shaken onto bird food, to deter unwanted pests like squirrels and cats ( Image:
Getty Images) Despite their fantastic benefits, bird feeders can also attract unwelcome guests. Deterring these pests is important to ensure that the birds have access to the food. Many local birds have become heavily reliant on bird feeders, which have become a vital food source for them. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that they remain untouched by pests. In the past 20 years, insect populations have drastically reduced, down as much as 60%. As a result, birds have far less to eat than they are typically used to, putting popular bird populations at risk of starvation and extinction.
According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), birds need high-protein foods during the spring and summer months to provide energy while they moult. However, be careful with peanuts, fat, and bread, as they can sometimes be a choking hazard for chicks. Although many popular British birds like robins and tits aren’t known to migrate south for the winter and instead stay locally all year round, in March and April, you’ll see more and more birds as the spring weather arrives and temperatures warm up. Birds often seek other feathered friends to nestle with during spring and summer, so a bird feeder is a great way to observe these groups forming.