Gardening experts share a simple chilli flakes trick to stop rats, mice and squirrels causing havoc
Birds aren’t the only creatures that can make use of a garden feeder(Image: Getty)
While February might appear to be a dormant period for gardens due to the bitter cold, it’s actually a critical time to monitor wildlife visiting your outdoor space.
With winter drawing to a close in just a few weeks, this season proves particularly challenging for birds, as natural food supplies like berries have largely been depleted.
Native British species, including robins, blackbirds, chaffinches and blue tits, face significant difficulty locating sustenance, which explains why they’re frequently spotted clustering around feeding stations and bird tables.
However, these food sources don’t just attract our feathered friends – rats, mice and squirrels are equally keen to raid gardens during late winter and will readily help themselves to whatever’s on offer.
Gardening specialists at Wiggly Wigglers have revealed a clever solution for continuing to feed birds whilst deterring unwanted visitors, requiring nothing more than some chilli flakes.
They explained: “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.”
Avian species lack sensitivity to capsaicin, the fiery compound present in chilli flakes, meaning they can consume it without experiencing any adverse effects, reports the Express.
Gardeners urged to sprinkle chili flakes in their garden throughout the rest of February(Image: Getty)
Conversely, rodents possess exceptionally acute senses of smell and taste, making even minimal quantities of chilli flakes sufficient to repel them entirely.
Rodents such as squirrels, rats and mice depend heavily on their sense of smell to locate food and detect danger, meaning strong, unfamiliar odours can convince them that an area poses a threat.
Chilli flakes can also hinder rodents’ ability to locate food sources, and if they do reach a bird feeder, the burning sensation from capsaicin will discourage them from returning.
How to deter rodents from bird feeders using chilli flakes
Simply mix several teaspoons of chilli flakes into your birdseed. Ensure you use plain chilli flakes rather than fajita seasoning – whilst spicy, such blends may contain salt, which could be harmful to birds.
Distribute the treated bird food throughout your garden and sprinkle additional chilli flakes around the feeder’s base or beneath bird tables.
Reapply the chilli flakes every few days, or following rainfall, and remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the spice.
It’s also advisable to promptly clear away any scattered seeds – rodents are attracted to gardens where food appears readily available.
Position feeders off the ground and suspend them as high as possible on trees or poles. This approach should prove sufficient to repel rodents and maintain a rodent-free garden throughout the remainder of February.
Comments are closed.