Gardeners are being urged to sprinkle something in their gardens this AugustAlex Evans Deputy Audience Editor and Steffan Rhys Deputy Content Hub Director
15:20, 23 Aug 2025
Gardeners are being urged to put chilli powder in their gardens(Image: Alex Evans)
Garden enthusiasts are being encouraged to sprinkle chilli powder in their gardens this August for a significant reason. It may seem peculiar, but chilli powder is an excellent deterrent when leaving food out for peckish birds — preventing it from being nabbed by other creatures, particularly as birds still struggle to find sustenance in summer.
Birds continue to grapple with the challenge of finding food, with populations in the UK under threat as food sources dwindle. The drastic decrease in insect numbers — down by as much as 60% in the UK over the past two decades due to habitat loss and climate change — is believed to be causing ripple effects throughout the food chain.
With less to eat, birds are at risk of starvation, especially during the spring and summer months when they need to nest and feed their young. That’s why gardeners are being urged to lend a hand to our feathered friends and leave out bird food, reports the Express.
According to bird feed company Peckish, although August is typically a quieter month for garden birds, it’s still important for gardeners to leave out food and especially water, which can be scarce during this month.
It states: “August is well known as a quiet month for garden birds. Many birds are done with 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. 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. 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. 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.”
However, one issue with putting out bird food is that other creatures — such as grey squirrels — will attempt to pinch it.
One issue with putting out bird food is that other creatures like grey squirrels will attempt to pinch it
This is where the chilli powder becomes useful. If you’ve got a birdbath or feeding table, or somewhere you place bird food for the birds (and if you haven’t got one, think about purchasing one), then you can put out a combination of chopped peanuts, seeds, mealworms and slices of fruit like apples for birds to consume, dampened with water so birds have essential water to drink as well.
Damaged apples and pears prove particularly appealing to birds, whilst kitchen leftovers such as pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs can also be utilised – though the RSPB advises using these sparingly.
However, dust everything with a sprinkle of chilli powder or chilli flakes, including the water, and the birds will enjoy the food and water without competition. This works because birds remain completely unaffected by the fiery taste of chilli, whilst squirrels and foxes detest it. This ensures all the food and water remains available for the hungry and thirsty birds.
The RSPB states: “When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of peanuts, seeds and live food like mealworms and waxworms. 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.
“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.”
The Express tested this method and confirmed it genuinely works.
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