Feeding the birds is one thing, but trying to keep the squirrels out of their way is another - but it can be done with this little-known trick

Birds need special attention in gardens during the colder months, with high-fat foods and constant fresh drinking water to survive.

The winter is a hard time for nearly all species of bird, with natural food supplies shorter, and extra effort for them to stay warm, especially as temperatures drop overnight. As the UK enters spring, bird feeders still need that little bit of extra attention from gardeners, as the milder conditions hails the start of breeding season.

But feeders can be hard to maintain, especially when squirrels want a look-in too. If gardeners choose not to feed squirrels separately, there could be an issue with keeping them out of the birds' way. But that's unless a natural trick is not adopted. According to Happy Gardens, there's a wealth of hacks that can deter squirrels without causing them any harm. One of them is deploying a bar of soap, leaving it hanging near the entrance to a bird feeder.

Although, it's not just any old soap. Apparently, squirrels detest the smell of Irish Spring, which gives off a musky, masculine scent. Experts at Happy Gardens said: "Simply hang a bar of the soap not too far from your bird feeder. To protect wildlife, make sure to place the bar of soap in an old sock. You'll also want to reconsider this strategy during the summer, when sweltering temperatures can turn a bar of soap into a hot mess in just a few hours."

If hanging the soap in a sock is too much hassle, or there's nowhere suitable to leave it, DIY pest control experts say to simply rub it on areas where you've seen squirrels climbing. Another tip is to melt it down and mix it with water, adding it to a spray bottle. This way the scent can be spread across the property, keeping them away.

Despite this time of year being the perfect time to try out this method, there is an element of scepticism from Critter Stop, which says squirrels do quickly adapt. So, while it may work effectively for a while, they may venture back in no time at all once they've got over the strong smelling scent. Critter Stop's website says: "Squirrels are highly adaptable creatures and may eventually ignore the scent if food or shelter is nearby. Consider combining this method with other deterrents for more reliable results."

Source:
courtesy of MIRROR

by Victoria Chessum

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