Latest news with #KennedyWildBirdFood&PetSupplies
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners told to tip coffee straight onto their beds this summer
Slugs have been having a field day this summer munching their way through gardens up and down the UK but it turns out that coffee grounds can keep them at bay and stop ruining your plants It's been a challenging summer for green-fingered Brits with heatwaves followed by thunderstorms - and it's been great for slugs and snails. While the weather has made it great for plants to bloom, the insatiable creatures will stop at nothing to devour your garden, munching through strawberries, raspberries, tomato plants, potato foliage and all sorts of flowers in their quest to satisfy their seemingly insatiable appetite. But did you know that inexpensive coffee grounds can do more than just kick-start your day? They could also give your garden a much-needed boost. Caffeine is toxic to slugs and snails, leading some gardening gurus to advocate its use as a form of pest control. However, a word of caution: coffee is an extremely painful way for slugs to meet their end, even worse than salt, so avoid applying coffee grounds directly onto any slugs or snails (a swift stamp would be quicker and less cruel). Instead, simply scatter the coffee grounds onto soil and around raised beds or pots during dry, clear weather, reports the Express. When it does rain, the slugs won't cross the coffee, thereby safeguarding your precious flowers and crops. Research has shown that coffee grounds can reduce slug and snail populations by between 50 and 90 per cent. And don't worry about harming your plants - the coffee won't have any detrimental effects. In fact, some studies have found that caffeine can actually stimulate plant growth - making it a win for your garden all round. The gardening blog Tea and Coffee reveals: "Coffee grounds contain a chemical called alkaloid, which is poisonous to slugs. When slugs ingest coffee grounds, they suffer from severe dehydration and eventually die. For these reasons, slugs will avoid areas where coffee grounds have been sprinkled. While coffee grounds may not be the most effective way to keep slugs out of your garden, they can be a helpful tool in deterring these pests." However if you want a more natural and kinder way to slug-proof your garden patch, wildlife expert Richard Green from Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies has the inside scoop on slug warfare: enlist the help of our feathered friends. "Birds can be a great way to naturally deal with slugs and protect your plants," he shared. Green points out that blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, and robins aren't just pretty faces – they're slug-munching machines, offering an organic alternative to chemical repellents. "Blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, and robins are some of the birds that eat slugs, becoming a natural source of pest control while reducing the need for harmful chemicals," he further noted.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Slugs will vanish from your garden if you attract these birds
Slugs are a common problem for gardeners, but one wildlife expert has shared a simple and natural way to get rid of the pests using birds - here's how to do it Slugs are the bane of British gardeners, wreaking havoc on lush greenery during those warm, wet summer spells. These slimy pests can decimate your dahlias and veggies in no time, leaving you fuming and frantically searching for a fix. While some reach for harsh chemicals to fend off these molluscs, there's a greener, kinder way to slug-proof your patch. Wildlife whizz Richard Green from Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies has the inside scoop on slug warfare: enlist the help of our feathered friends. "Birds can be a great way to naturally deal with slugs and protect your plants," he shard. Green points out that blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, and robins aren't just pretty faces – they're slug-munching machines, offering an organic alternative to chemical repellents., reports the Express. "Blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, and robins are some of the birds that eat slugs, becoming a natural source of pest control while reducing the need for harmful chemicals," he explained. How to attract slug-eating birds to your garden Creating the ideal environment If you want these bird flocking to your garden, you've got to roll out the welcome mat with the essentials: grub, water, and a cosy nesting spot. Pop in some berry-laden bushes like hawthorn, ivy, and cotoneaster to keep the birds popping by all year round, even when the winter season arrives. Don't forget to set up a birdbath or another splashy feature – it's a magnet for birds in the sizzling summer months. Citrus fruit trap To really get the birds pecking away at your slug problem, try a citrus fruit trap. It's a clever ploy that tempts both the birds and the slugs, setting the stage for a feathery feast. The expert explained: "Birds are drawn to the fruit, and slugs are attracted to the leftover rinds. Once the slugs gather, the birds will return to eat them, creating an effective and eco-friendly way to manage pests." Providing shelter with nest boxes If you're looking to keep birds in your garden for the long haul, setting up nest boxes is a brilliant method to entice them to stay and breed. "Different-sized entry holes attract different species, helping to boost bird diversity," Richard proposed. To make the nest box even more appealing, place it in a quiet, sheltered spot and supply nesting materials like straw, wool, or pet hair. Using plants and natural shelters Native species and berry-bearing shrubs are especially beneficial for luring birds and providing them with vital food. Richard further advised: "Leaving areas of the garden untidy, such as longer grass or fallen leaves, offers shelter and easy access to slugs and other pests. These spaces can also attract other slug predators that birds are safe from, like hedgehogs and frogs."
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Warning to UK households with bird feeders in gardens
People who feed pigeons in their garden have been warned of the risks UK households with bird feeders in their gardens have been warned by wildlife experts to stop using them as they attract pigeons. These birds eat all of the food very quickly, meaning there is nothing left for other birds and it also puts off smaller species from visiting your bird feeder as they are intimidated by the pigeons. Pigeons raiding the bird feeder means gardeners will have to constantly refill too. But there is a way to deter pigeons allowing the smaller birds to feast on the food without being terrorised by the larger birds. Richard Green, wildlife expert from Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, advises households to put seed trays into their feeders. This stops seeds falling onto the ground and wasted and is what attracts the pigeons in the first place. According to Richard, putting a cage around your feeders makes it easier for smaller wildlife to access the seeds and also keep larger birds, like pigeons, out. People can also chose to use pigeon-proof designed feeders which are often angled so that the birds struggle to get a good grip, according to the Mirror. Mr Green explains: 'Fallen seed is a major attraction for pigeons and other pests, such as rats. Adding seed catchers beneath feeders helps stop seeds from reaching the ground. It's also important to regularly clean up any remaining food to keep your garden tidy and free from unwanted visitors. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'Feeders designed to keep pigeons away often feature vertical or angled surfaces that pigeons struggle to grip. Pigeons are not as agile as smaller birds, so creating feeding spaces with uneven or narrow perches can make a big difference in keeping them at bay.' Another option to prevent pigeons stealing all the food from other birds is to put out things like nyjer seed, suet balls or sunflower hearts, as these are less appealing to them so it gives smaller birds a better chance to enjoy the food on offer. Of course, if you want to keep feeding pigeons in your garden, without excluding smaller birds, it's advised that you set up separate feeding areas. Mr Green adds: 'Ground feeders with high-cereal seed mixes are ideal for pigeons, while smaller, more protected feeders can be reserved for smaller species. This allows all birds to enjoy your garden without competing for food.' Hanging feeders are a popular way to keep birds fed, however, they aren't ideal for all species. The suspended feeding system is difficult for blackbirds, dunnocks and robins to cling to. In order to make sure these birds are happily fed, it's much better to use a flat surface to lay out suet or seeds. This can be a bird table, an open stretch of shorn grass, or a patio area. Simply sprinkle the food out and watch as your feathery guests hop out to peck up the food in peace.
