February is often believed to be a quiet time for gardens as it is still freezing cold outside but now is in fact the time to watch out for birds and other critters coming onto your property. It is only a few weeks until winter is officially over but this time of year can be a desperate time for birds, as most berries and other natural food sources have been ransacked.
Small British birds such as robins, blackbirds, chaffinches and blue tits will really struggle to find food which is why you are more likely to see them huddled around a bird feeder or table. Unfortunately, birds are not the only animals drawn to bird food, as rats, mice and squirrels will also forage in gardens in late winter and often take it without hesitation. The gardening experts at Wiggly Wigglers have shared there is a way to keep feeding birds without attracting pests, as all you need are some chilli flakes.
They said: “A great natural deterrent is chilli. Birds don’t taste it, but rats and squirrels hate it. Sprinkle chilli flakes or cayenne pepper onto your bird food. It won’t harm the birds — they don’t have the same receptors for spicy heat. It’s a simple, effective way to make your feeders less appealing to rodents.”
Birds are not affected by capsaicin, which is the spicy compound found in chilli flakes, and they can eat it without any discomfort.
However, rodents are known to have a very sensitive sense of smell and taste so even a small amount of chilli flakes can overwhelm them.
Squirrels, rats and mice rely on their noses to forage for food and sniff out predators, so unfamiliar pungent scents can make them believe a area is unsafe to stay in.
Chilli flakes will also make it more difficult for rodents to find food, and if they do find a bird feeder the taste of capsaicin will be irritating enough that they will not try eating out of it again.
How to keep rodents away from birdfeeders using chilli flakes
All you need to do is pour a few teaspoons of chilli flakes into some birdseed. Use only plain chilli flakes and not any fajita seasoning — while it is spicy, it can contain salt which can harm birds.
Place the bird food in the garden and scatter some more chilli flakes around the base of a birdfeeder or underneath a bird table.
Reapply the chilli flakes every few days, or after it has rained, and wash your hands after handing the seasoning.
It will also help to always clean up any spilled seeds as soon as you notice them — rodents will come into gardens if they think there’s an easy way for them to access food.
Keep feeders off the ground and hang them high up on a tree or pole if you can. It should be enough to completely deter rodents and keep them away for the rest of February.
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