Monty Don reveals 'vital' animals that keep pests away and boost garden health

Monty Don has revealed that a type of animal you can spot from the comfort of your own home can boost your garden's health.

Speaking in a recent edition of BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, Monty discussed how the lockdown period opened our eyes to the captivating and abundant natural life that's right outside our doors.

He reflected on how during lockdown, we discovered that local wildlife could be just as "fascinating and rich" as anything found in faraway mountains or on "distant shores".

Yet, his focus was especially drawn to birds, crediting their "vital" songs and their knack for naturally controlling undesirable garden pests.

Monty noted: "A good selection of bird life greatly helps the health of your garden too, providing the best way of controlling any excess of pests such as aphids and caterpillars.

"Birdsong is a vital element of any good garden and at Longmeadow, we are blessed with songbirds such as thrushes, blackcaps, and a particularly dense population of blackbirds and robins to serenade us.

"And so my winter gloom is lightened by these lovely birds until next April, when spring is marked by the return of the swallows and house martins, and all is well with the world."

The gardening expert had previously said that to attract a variety of bird species and deter larger animals like rats and squirrels, there's a certain type of food you should refrain from putting in your bird feeders.

He expressed that it's not worth incorporating grain as it predominantly attracts pigeons, sparrows, squirrels and rats, while birds seldom consume it. However, he did divulge the components of his homemade bird feed.

He added: "This is composed of a mix I make up myself with sunflower seeds and hearts, peanut pieces, suet pellets, dried mealworms and nijer seed, and lives in a dustbin outside the back door."

To assist people in maximising their bird feeders, the Gardeners' World presenter detailed where he situates his own, with the positioning also serving as a deterrent against sparrow hawks.

Monty disclosed that he suspends his peanut feeders and fat and suet balls from the branches of a large tree. Each morning, he scatters the mix onto the logs and across a wall "backed by thick brambles".

He said these act as cover for sparrow hawks, which sometimes swoop in to take birds from the garden.