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Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 6 flowers that feed birds all summer long
Bird-lovers will be delighted to discover that these flowering plants will keep birds coming back to your garden as they provide them with nourishment and shelter If you're a fan of these feathery creatures, experts have shared the top flowers you need to plant to keep birds flitting about in your garden. Birds are delightful creatures, filled with personality and unique behaviours that make them fascinating to observe. What's more, they also play a pivotal role in your garden's eco-system, as they contribute to key processes like pollination and seed dispersal. One of the best ways to encourage them to your home is by growing plants that provide them with food and nesting materials. Plus, given that bird numbers are dwindling in the UK, this is more important than ever. According to government data, bird species across the UK have declined by 2% between 2018 and 2023. One of the biggest causes of this are modern farmland practices according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird's (RSPB) State of Nature report 2023, which is largely due to the use of fertilisers and pesticides, which impact bird's food supply. Luckily, garden design expert Calum Maddock at has shared the six flowers you need to plant to make your home extra appealing for birds. Sunflowers Sunflowers are a summer favourite, as they instantly brighten up any space with their broad yellow leaves. The good news is that they also attract birds. According to Calum: 'The many seeds packed at the centre of the flower heads provide nourishment that is rich in oil throughout the autumn for seed-eating birds such as finches and nuthatches.' Honeysuckle As well as providing berries, honeysuckles are a great source of shelter for small birds like thrushes, warblers, and finches. They will also attract insects during the summer months, providing a further food source for birds. Rowan Rowans are known to produce masses of creamy white flowers that entice birds. Calum advised: 'Depending on the species, you can expect your rowan tree to bear berries from late July through to November.' Hawthorn Hawthorn is a flowering shrub which produces berries that attract birds such as blackbirds, redwings, fieldfares and starlings. Plus, Calum adds that the leaves will also attract caterpillars, which are 'an excellent food source' for baby birds during spring. Ivy Calum shared: 'Ivy is another plant which doubles up as a fantastic source of both food and shelter. The blackberries which appear in winter provide much-needed food for a range of birds, such as thrushes, starlings, jays, finches, and blackbirds.' Holly Holly berries will keep birds satisfied during winter, as they are enjoyed by birds such as song thrushes, blackbirds, and redwings. Calum added: 'Just make sure that you plant a female plant and a male plant close together, as only the female produces berries, but the male is needed for pollination.'
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Households issued 30cm warning over installing an outdoor socket
If you're looking to install an outdoor socket in your home make sure you're up to date with the latest regulations - only trained electricians can set them up for this major reason Be careful the next time you try to set up an outdoor socket – there are strict rules around where they can be placed. Otherwise, you risk creating a major fire hazard in your home. The rule is in accordance with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, which is designed to make electricity safer in the UK. It also brings existing electrical installations in the UK up to EU standards. The guide states that for safety reasons, sockets outdoors can only be installed by trained electricians. Electrician Stephen Jones from explained that it is more than just a DIY task. He wrote: 'There are too many safety issues to consider doing this work yourself, both for you as a homeowner and for anyone who may use the socket. Therefore, it's important to hire an electrician to do this work for you.' Common dangers that arise from working with electricity include electric shock, which can be fatal. You also risk creating a fire hazard if the job isn't completed properly. Another problem that may occur is damaging the existing electrical wiring in your home. This can lead to further damage and potentially expensive repairs. Particularly when it comes to outdoor sockets, there are specific rules that must be followed. One of the most important is making sure that your socket is placed high enough from the ground. External sockets must be placed at least 30 cm off the ground. One of the major reasons for this is to protect the socket from overexposure to water during heavy rain. It also shortens the amount of cabling needed to connect the socket to the main power supply. This helps account for issues like voltage drop and potential failure points. Aside from height, it's also important to consider where in your outdoor space you want the socket fixed. Ideally, it should be placed somewhere sheltered from the elements. For this reason, outdoor sockets should have a high IP (Ingress Protection rating). An IP44 or higher is usually a safe bet, as it indicates a resistance to both water and dust. If large amounts of water seep into a water socket, it can cause the electrical current to increase. This is because it is a natural conductor of electricity. Once a enough water is in the socket, it can lead to short circuits, in turn causing wires to heat up. In a worst case scenario, it can even start an electrical fire.
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Households suffering with 2 symptoms urged to wash bedding immediately
People suffering from constant sneezing and itchiness around their eyes should wash their bedding now in a bid to ease their symptoms and get a better night's sleep Hayfever season is here, and around 16 million Brits suffer with its pesky symptoms every year as the pollen count increases. Pollen can get onto anything and everything, including slotting itself into the fibres of our clothes - and our bedding. This is why hayfever sufferers, especially those enduring constant sneezing, itchy eyes and general irritation, should ensure theirs is washed immediately. Not only that, washing your bedding is crucial for maintaining hygiene. Unwashed bedsheets can accumulate a lot of bacteria, including microscopic organisms like dust mites and other allergens that can trigger allergies, skin problems and asthma. These allergens thrive in most environments, which is why it's even more important to wash your bedding during the warmer months when humidity increases. This includes sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. According to clearing expert Joyce French at he explained: 'Regularly washing bedding is always an important task, but particularly so during hay fever season to keep symptoms at bay and allow for restful sleep. Wash your sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases in a hot wash once a week – hot water is crucial for killing dust mites and eliminating allergens.' Generally, it's recommended to change bed sheets at least once a week. However, in some cases, it can be extended to two weeks when it's considered acceptable. For example, if you don't sweat excessively or have any pets that sleep in the bed. If you're prone to allergies, it's better to be on the side of caution and wash your bedding more frequently - better be safe than sorry! Choosing the right fabrics for your bedding - as well as your nightwear - plays a significant role in improving your sleep quality when dealing with allergies. On the other hand, synthetic fabrics, like polyester, tend to trap moisture and heat, which creates the ideal environment for dust mines. As explained by Secret Linen, natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and bamboo are much more breathable, allowing air to flow and becoming 'less hospitable' to dust mites. Moreover, these materials help regulate body temperature, avoiding sweat buildup and keeping your skin comfortable throughout the night, ensuring a good sleep. By changing your bedsheets regularly - as well as your pyjamas - you can rest assured of having a good night's sleep, away from any allergies that these can bring. Now that spring time has arrived, and summer is around the corner, it's important to avoid these at all costs.
