From eggshells to peanut butter, there’s no shortage of kitchen scraps that gardeners swear by when it comes to feeding birds. However, should you add coffee grounds to your bird feeder?
Yes, something is happening in the coffee grounds for a while, many people claim that your Bird feeder Can deter pests, enrich your food plot and even benefit the garden Wildlife.
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(Image credit: Getty Images)
Should You Add Coffee Grounds Around Your Bird Feeder?
At first glance, it makes a certain kind of sense; Coffee grounds are natural, readily available and already widely used in compost and soil amendment. If they can help the garden, surely they can help the birds too?
‘Adding a small amount of used coffee grounds under or around your bird feeder can help deter pests such as ants and even some squirrels because of the smell,’ says Morris Hankinson. Hops Grove Nursery.
Now, there is a major caveat to all of this, because bird feeding is not just about feeding; It’s about creating a safe, healthy environment that’s supportive Wildlife rather than inadvertently endangering it. When it comes to adding anything unfamiliar in Feeders, then, Morris warns that even well-meaning habits can have unintended consequences.
Morris is the founder and managing director of Hankinson Hops Grove Nursery Ltd., is the UK’s only specialist manufacturer-retailer of hedging plants. Shortly after graduating with a degree in commercial horticulture from Rittle College, Essex, he established a thriving business in 1992.
As such, he says you should never put coffee grounds in your bird feeder. ever. ‘Birds won’t eat it, it can cause hygiene issues,’ he stresses.
Instead, he recommends using it sparingly and keeping it away from food. ‘Be sure to fill the feeder with the right bird food, as the aim is to protect the space and not replace what the birds actually want.’
While you can sprinkle coffee grounds around your bird feeder RSPB Totally agree with Morris: coffee grounds have no place in your bird feeder.
(Image credit: Getty Images / Alan Tunnicliffe Photography)
‘We would not advise mixing coffee grounds with birdfeed as this can lead to contamination, and our Updated food guidanceWe recommend that seed and groundnut feeding be suspended between May 1 and October 31,’ explains the spokesperson. ‘Fat, soot and mealworms can be given in small amounts all year round.’
This guidance reflects the growing awareness of hygiene and disease prevention in garden bird populations. While feeding birds can be beneficial, poorly maintained feeders can quickly become a source of infection. However, while coffee grounds shouldn’t go anywhere near your feeder, they can still find a place in your garden… just not in the way you might expect.
Bird feeding requirements
Crocus
Satellite Fat Ball Feeder – Crocus Green
If you want to make sure your bird gets a good, steady supply of suet, try giving it something like this.
RSPB
Fat balls for wild birds
Keep your birds fed and happy (as per RSPB guidelines) with these suet balls, which can be put out whole, loose or crumbled.
Crocus
Copper bowl on stainless steel stack
These serve as dual-purpose rain catchers and bird watering stations. Even better, they can be unscrewed for easy cleaning.
FAQs
Why should you sprinkle coffee grounds around your bird feeder?
While you should never put coffee grounds in your bird feeder, there is an argument for putting them on the ground around it; The scent is said to help deter pests such as slugs, bees, wasps, fleas, ants, slugs and the odd squirrel. Just make sure to use it sparingly.
How to feed birds without spreading disease?
If you want to feed birds without spreading disease (and, let’s be honest, everyone does) it’s important to get into the habit of thoroughly cleaning your feeders at least once a week. If possible, move them to a slightly different spot each time to prevent the build-up of contaminated debris underneath. Any husks, droppings or leftover food should be cleaned up regularly.
If you’re offering water, you should also take care to change the water daily (bird baths should also be cleaned weekly to prevent bacteria and algae from building up. And, according to RSPB guidelines, we should all retire our flat-surface feeders too.
Yes, traditional bird tables have been shown to increase the spread of disease, as contaminated food accumulates and is easily shared between birds. Switching to a hanging feeder or a design without a flat surface can help reduce this risk.
In short, while coffee grounds can be a useful addition to your compost pile or flower bed the bedAnd while they’re brilliant for sprinkling around bird feeders, they’re not entirely suitable for putting in the actual food you’re offering the birds.
After all, when it comes to feeding garden birds, simple is best, so stick to the right foods, take care to clean feeders, and focus on hygiene over hacks. It may not be as inventive as the latest viral sensation, but it’s more effective… and even safer for the wildlife you’re trying to support.
