Feeding the Birds - Pest Control Fact Sheet

 

Birds Feeding

 

 

 

Hygiene

Simple Guidelines

Top Ten Tips

 

 

Contact Us:

Telephone: (023) 9244 6670

Email: ehenvironment@havant.gov.uk

Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX

 

Especially during the winter  many of us like to feed the wild birds, and with good reason. Many species of birds rely on a good supply of nourishing food to see them through the cold winter months, and whether you have a lush garden or a simple arid border, putting out food for garden birds can be fun and rewarding.
 
However, it is very easy to inadvertently fatten-up some not so welcome visitors . . . .
 
Brown rats are on the increase and are quick to take advantage of an easy meal; especially one made up of "leftovers". So, when feeding the birds, please ensure that you only put out enough food for them to eat that morning or afternoon. If you find that yesterday's titbits are left on the bird table, it may be that you are putting out too much. Old excess food should always be cleared away. This will help to stop the spread of disease amongst garden birds and will help to avoid attracting rats that may be keen to investigate your garden, and even your home.
 
Therefore, it is very important that if you employ the services of a Pest Control company to rid your property of rats, you must ensure there is not an alternative food source. If the rats can get better food than the bait laid down for them it will become very difficult to eradicate them from your property, if at all. If you must feed the birds keep the feed above ground level, on a bird table, out of the reach of rats; clean up surplus feed before dark; do not overfeed, stale rotting food can cause death if eaten by birds
 

Hygiene 

Birds Feeding

 

The food that we provide can have a very positive influence on the bird populations using our gardens, helping them through the lean times of winter and supporting adult birds that are busy finding food for their young.
 
We also have a responsibility to ensure that the food we provide does not harm the birds that we are trying to help. This can be achieved by adopting some sensible precautions and by making sure that we do not provide foods that are inappropriate.
 
Hygiene is also important, since the spread of disease can be facilitated by the crowding together of birds at feeding stations.
 

Some simple guidelines

 

Ensure that you keep surfaces on which birds feed clean. Ideally, brush surfaces daily to avoid heavy faecal contamination.  If you feed on the ground, do not put food in the same place every day but move it around.
Provide food at several sites within the garden so that large numbers of birds do not gather in the same place.  Move hanging feeders periodically and keep the area beneath them clean of droppings, spilt food and seed husks.
Clean feeders and bird tables on a regular basis, ideally using a recognised cleaning agent designed for the purpose. Rinse feeders thoroughly after cleaning and ensure that they are dry before refilling with food.

 
Ensure that any water you provide is clean, and that birdbaths are cleaned and disinfected regularly.  Some bird diseases can be passed on to humans, so it is essential that you should observe scrupulous personal hygiene.

Top Ten Tips

 
  1. Only put out as much food as can be consumed in a day or two. Never allow food or detritus to accumulate. Reduce food at quiet times.
  2. Keep feeders reasonably clean and move them around the garden periodically to avoid infectious droppings from building up in one place.
  3. In the nesting season avoid presenting whole peanuts. Either chop them up or provide them in a mesh peanut feeder from which adult birds can only take small fragments.
  4. Try to have reasonably clean water available at all times for bathing as well as drinking. Never add salt or any chemicals to the water.
  5. Do NOT put out salty snacks, highly flavoured foods, uncooked rice, whole bacon rinds or unsoaked desiccated coconut which can be fatal to birds.
  6. Keep food away from cover in which a cat could hide. Consider using electronic cat scarers - these should be moved regularly.
  7. . ... but if Sparrowhawks are present, place feeders next to shrubs to allow birds to escape. Clip the shrubs back hard at the base so cats cannot hide.
  8. Provide a wide variety of different foods in different positions and types of feeder.
  9. Cereal grains, such as wheat, attract pigeons. Use better quality pure foods such as black sunflower seeds or peanuts.
  10. Stick to natural foods, rather than chemically altered or processed foods such as margarine.

Contact Us:

Telephone: (023) 9244 6670

Email: ehenvironment@havant.gov.uk

Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX

 

 

Direct Gov UK
Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX