Gardeners are being urged to sprinkle chilli powder in their gardens in October.

It might sound odd, but the spicy orange seasoning can serve a really important purpose in your outdoor space as autumn begins.

It's high time of year to help feed birds before they hibernate or migrate for winter, and chilli powder can help protect food left out for the birds and stop it being stolen and eaten by other, less deserving animals.

Birds have struggled this year. Anecdotally, gardeners have reported seeing far fewer birds than normal and the RSPB backs this up with real figures - over the past four decades, one in six birds has been lost.

And the massive reduction in insect numbers - down as much as 80 percent in the last 20 years thanks to habitat loss and climate change - is thought to be having knock-on effects right up the food chain, as birds have far less to eat, which is putting birds at risk of starvation.

That's why gardeners are being asked to do what they can for birds and leave bird food out.

But one huge problem with leaving bird food out is that other animals - like squirrels or foxes - will try to steal it.

That's where the chilli powder comes in. If you have a birdbath or bird table, or something which you leave bird food on for the birds (and if you don't have one, consider getting one), then you can leave a mix of peanuts, seeds, mealworms and slices of fruit like apple out for birds to eat.

Bruised apples and pears are really attractive to birds, and household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs can be used too - although you should avoid using too much of these, say the RSPB.

But lace all of it with chilli powder, and the birds will have the food all to themselves. That's because birds aren't at all affected by chilli powder, whereas squirrels and foxes hate it, which allows you to leave all the food for the birds.

The RSPB says: "When buying bird food, try to get a good mix of peanuts, seeds and live food like mealworms and waxworms."

"Fruit, especially bruised apples and pears, will be popular with thrushes and Blackbirds. Household scraps like pastry, cooked rice and breadcrumbs should only be offered in small amounts occasionally."

"Strong chilli powder or pepper sauce (like Tabasco) can be shaken onto bird food. Birds aren't bothered by the chilli, but most squirrels can't put up with the burning sensation and will leave the food alone."