Gardeners urged to put household staple in gardens this November for very important reason

Gardeners are being urged to put out bird food in their gardens as winter hits, but there's a special ingredient that you can add to the food to make sure the birds get it all to themselves

Gardeners are being encouraged to sprinkle chilli powder in their gardens this November for a crucial reason. It might sound odd, but it's the perfect way to leave food out for hungry birds without it being snatched by other animals.

Especially in winter, birds and wildlife struggle to find food. This year has been challenging for birds.

Gardeners have reported seeing fewer birds than usual. The drastic decrease in insect numbers - down by as much as 80 percent over the past two decades due to habitat loss and climate change - is believed to be having ripple effects up the food chain, with birds having less to eat, putting them at risk of starvation.

That's why gardeners are being asked to help birds by leaving bird food out as the weather gets colder. However, one major issue with leaving bird food out is that other animals, like squirrels, will try to steal it.

This is where the chilli powder comes in handy. If you have a birdbath or bird table, or something on which you leave bird food (and if you don't have one, consider getting one), then you can leave a mix of peanuts, seeds, mealworms and slices of fruit like apple for birds to eat, reports the Express.

Bruised apples and pears are very appealing to birds, and household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs can also be used - although the RSPB advises not to use too much of these.

Spicing it up could be the solution for bird lovers who want to deter hungry squirrels and foxes from nicking the food meant for their feathered friends. Interestingly, our avian pals aren't bothered by a bit of heat as they are immune to the fiery kick of chilli powder, unlike their furry foes who detest the spicy seasoning.

This nifty trick ensures the treats are reserved purely for the birds. The RSPB recommends: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of peanuts, seeds and live food like mealworms and waxworms."

They further advise, "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."

For those who want to keep their bird feed exclusive, the society suggests, "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."