Gardeners are being urged to sprinkle chilli powder in their gardens this July for a very important reason. It might sound odd, but spicy chilli powder is the perfect seasoning to scatter food out for hungry birds - so it doesn't get stolen by other animals, especially when summer is well established but birds are still struggling to find food for themselves.

Birds continue to face challenges finding food, with populations under threat in the UK as food availibility continue to decline. The massive reduction in insect numbers - down as much as 60% in the UK 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 them at risk of starvation, especially when they need to nest and feed their young too. That’s why gardeners are being asked to do what they can for birds and leave bird food out this July.

Bird feed firm HoneyField's says that birds need a boost in July because of the millions of chicks which have been born and now need feeding urgently.

It says: "Springtime is a really busy time for birds as they claim their territories, search for a mate, build nests and begin to raise their young. Not only do the parents need to hunt all day to find the right food for their young, they also need to find food for themselves. A well fed parent is better able to gather food for its young. By July and August there are millions more hungry mouths to feed. For tits, finches and sparrows garden feeders -whether hanging or ground, provide a real lifeline."

But one huge problem with leaving bird food out is that other animals - like grey squirrels - 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 chopped peanuts, seeds, mealworms and slices of fruit like apples 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 a scattering of chilli powder or chilli flakes, and the birds will have the food all to themselves. That’s because birds aren’t at all affected by the spicy taste of chilli, whereas squirrels and foxes hate it. That way, all of the food is left for the hungry 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."

The Express put this to the test, too, and found that it really does work.