Gardeners are being urged to put chilli powder in their gardens in May for a really vital reason. It sounds quite odd, but the method is the perfect way to leave food out for hungry birds as we enter the warmer spring months, without it being stolen by other animals. As nesting season peaks it becomes an especially important time of year.
Birds have faced challenges for the past few years, now linked to the loss of habitats and the relative scarcity of food. Gardeners have reported seeing far fewer birds than normal, with the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch tracking the reduction in bird populations in people’s gardens over the past decades. The massive reduction in insect numbers – down as much as 80% in the last 20 years thanks to habitat loss and climate change – is thought to be having knock-on effects right up the food chain, as birds have far less to eat, which is putting birds at risk of starvation.
That’s why many gardeners try to do what they can for birds and leave bird food out, especially during the important nesting season.
But one huge problem with leaving bird food out is that other animals – like squirrels – will try to steal it. That’s where the chilli powder comes in.
If you have a birdbath or bird feeder, then you can leave mealworms, suet, fat balls and slices of fruit like apple out for birds to eat.
Bruised apples and pears are really attractive to birds, and household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs can be used too – although you should avoid using too much of these, say the RSPB.
But lace all of it with chilli powder, and the birds will have the food all to themselves. That’s because birds aren’t at all affected by chilli powder, whereas squirrels and foxes hate it – which leaves all the food for the birds.
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