Sprinkle 43p spice over garden to ‘protect your plants’ from pests
Gardeners are being urged to try a cheap kitchen cupboard trick that's said to stop common pests from destroying flowers and bulbs
Gardeners struggling with pests digging up bulbs and ruining flowerbeds may already have the answer sitting in their kitchen cupboard. A popular TikTok creator claims one cheap household ingredient could help protect plants naturally without the need for harsh chemicals.
The advice comes from Dave The Plant Man, who has more than 100,000 followers and 570,000 likes on the platform. He recently filmed a video at the Chorley Flower Show where he was accompanied by a stallholder named Bob. They discussed a budget-friendly gardening tip involving chilli powder.
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Speaking in the clip, Dave explained how the spice can be mixed into bird seed to help deter squirrels and other mammals from bird feeders. "Birds don’t have taste buds, they’re oblivious to it, it doesn’t do them any harm," he said. "Mammals don’t like the smell".
They also explained how a level teaspoon of chilli powder mixed with feed can be used to keep rats and mice from returning to their gardens. It was described as a "top tip" for protecting the likes of crocuses, bluebells and other spring bulbs from disturbance.
Chilli powder is often promoted online as a natural pest deterrent because capsaicin - the compound responsible for heat in chillies - can irritate mammals and discourage them from feeding in treated areas. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), strong-smelling deterrents are sometimes used by gardeners to help discourage pests from digging in flowerbeds.
The RHS also advises gardeners to combine deterrents with practical protections such as mesh covers, fencing and careful bulb placement for the best results. Wildlife experts warn that deterrents should be used carefully and not directly applied to animals.
Research published by the University of Massachusetts Amherst notes that capsaicin-based repellents are commonly used to discourage squirrels and deer from gardens and bird feeders. The university says mammals are sensitive to capsaicin, while birds are largely unaffected because they lack the same receptors that detect the compound’s heat.
Budget supermarkets and discount retailers often sell small tubs of chilli powder for as little as 43p, making the hack a low-cost alternative to commercial pest repellents. Many specialist garden deterrent sprays containing capsaicin can cost significantly more.
