"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2009-05-07 07:19:53 +0100, "wafflycat"
said:


"Bill Smith" wrote in message
...

now infuriating!

Can anyone suggest a low-cost deterrent which will not harm the
squirrels but would allow the other birds (Most of which seem to prefer
peanuts to wild bird seed) to feed on the peanuts?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Bill.

Dust the peanuts in chilli powder, the hotter the better. Sit back.
Watch. Have fun when the squirrel does a "YUK!" expression & runs off
shaking its head. You do have to keep up with regular dustings of chilli
though.

And the birds?!
--

No adverse effect on the birds at all. Birds do not taste hot chilli - the
seeds are evolved to be spread by birds. Mammals, on the other hand, do
taste the heat. My hens have crushed chilli in their food every day. They
love it.

"wafflycat" wrote in message
...

"Sacha" wrote in message
...


snippity..


And the birds?!
--

No adverse effect on the birds at all. Birds do not taste hot chilli - the
seeds are evolved to be spread by birds. Mammals, on the other hand, do
taste the heat. My hens have crushed chilli in their food every day.
They love it.

And to confirm

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-202877

On 2009-05-07 10:02:01 +0100, "wafflycat"
said:


"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2009-05-07 07:19:53 +0100, "wafflycat"
said:


"Bill Smith" wrote in message
...

now infuriating!

Can anyone suggest a low-cost deterrent which will not harm the
squirrels but would allow the other birds (Most of which seem to prefer
peanuts to wild bird seed) to feed on the peanuts?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Bill.

Dust the peanuts in chilli powder, the hotter the better. Sit back.
Watch. Have fun when the squirrel does a "YUK!" expression & runs off
shaking its head. You do have to keep up with regular dustings of
chilli though.

And the birds?!
--

No adverse effect on the birds at all. Birds do not taste hot chilli -
the seeds are evolved to be spread by birds. Mammals, on the other
hand, do taste the heat. My hens have crushed chilli in their food
every day. They love it.

Wonderful. I had no idea - says she rushing off to the larder....... ;-)
--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

Ah, just covered my grass seed in chilli powder to stop the pigeons eating it!!!/