Feeding garden birds

UK bird feeding guidance changed in 2026: pause seeds and peanuts from 1 May to 31 October. A dated answer for every food, the hygiene routine that matters more, and the evidence behind it.

Right now, in October

The RSPB advises pausing seeds and peanuts.

The pause runs 1 May to 31 October, because trichomonosis spreads at feeders in warm weather. Suet, fat balls and mealworms are still fine in small amounts, and fresh water matters more than ever. We have left our recommendations below so you can see what we would buy — but if you are buying seed today, buy it for 1 November, not for this week.

What to feed your garden instead this summer →

Source: RSPB, “Feed Safely, Feed Seasonally”, aligned by the BTO. We last checked this on 20 September 2026.

Can I feed this today?

Answers for October. Next change: 1 November — seeds and peanuts go back out.

Not until 1 November

Sunflower hearts

Seeds are paused. If you are buying, buy for 1 November.
Not until 1 November

Mixed seed

Seeds are paused.
Not until 1 November

Peanuts

Peanuts are paused. This is now a disease rule for the whole summer, not just the old breeding-season choking rule.
Not until 1 November

Nyjer seed

Seeds are paused.
Yes

Suet and fat balls

Small amounts, year round. Take them out of any nylon net first — see below. Fat products cope less well with hot weather, so put out less in a heatwave.
Yes

Mealworms (dried or live)

Small amounts, year round. Finches — the birds trichomonosis hits hardest — rarely take them, which is why they stayed on the list.
Yes

Fresh water

Every day of the year, and change it daily. In a dry summer this matters more than food.
Never

Bread

On Garden Wildlife Health’s never-offer list. Fills birds up for almost no nutrition.
Never

Milk

On the never-offer list. Birds cannot digest it.
Never

Salted or dry-roasted nuts, salty scraps

On the never-offer list.
Never

Desiccated coconut

On the never-offer list — it swells after being eaten.
Never

Anything in a nylon mesh bag

Garden Wildlife Health says never offer seeds or nuts in nylon mesh bags — feet and tongues get caught. Cut the net off and use a proper fat-ball feeder.
Never

Loose whole peanuts

Mesh feeder only. Loose whole nuts are a choking hazard to chicks.

The part that never changes

Clean feeders and baths at least once a week, with hot soapy water and a disinfectant.
Move the feeder to a different spot every week, so droppings and old food do not build up in one place.
Change bird bath water daily.
Put out small amounts and clear what is not eaten within a day or two.
Do not use bird tables, window feeders or any feeder with a flat surface or tray.
If you see several sick or dead birds, stop feeding for at least two to four weeks and report it to Garden Wildlife Health.

Checked against the RSPB, BTO, Garden Wildlife Health and GOV.UK. Reviewed on 20 September 2026. No affiliate links on this page.