Why tits need a safe peanut feeder

British garden tits – blue, great, coal, marsh and willow – are among our most engaging visitors. Their acrobatic antics on a feeder bring life to any garden. Peanuts are a superb energy source, especially in cold weather, but they must be offered safely. A poorly designed feeder can damage delicate beaks and tongues, and mouldy nuts can poison birds. This article explains how to attract tits to a peanut feeder without harming them.

Choose a metal mesh feeder, not plastic or nylon

Tits have fine, pointed beaks adapted for probing. They also have long, sensitive tongues. Plastic mesh feeders may seem cheap, but they quickly develop sharp edges as tits peck and wear them down. Worse, some plastic feeders have rough or split strands that can trap a tongue or split a beak. Nylon mesh is similarly risky. Always use a metal mesh feeder with small, smooth, rounded openings. The mesh should be small enough that birds can only take tiny fragments of peanut, not whole nuts. This mimics their natural feeding behaviour and reduces the risk of choking, particularly for young birds. A good metal feeder will have no sharp points, no loose wire ends, and a sturdy lid that tits cannot lift. Look for stainless steel or powder-coated steel.

Where to hang your feeder for safety

Position matters as much as the feeder itself. Tits are fast flyers, and a feeder close to a window is a collision risk. Hang your feeder at least two metres from any window, or alternatively within half a metre if you use a window sticker or external screen. The two-metre gap gives birds space to change direction; the close option prevents them building up enough speed to injure themselves. Also consider cats: place the feeder on a smooth metal pole with a baffle, or hang it from a bracket at least 1.5 metres above ground and away from lurking spots like dense shrubs. Tits prefer a perch with a clear view of approaching predators. A spot with some shelter from wind and rain will keep peanuts dry and reduce mould. Avoid hanging near feeders used by larger birds like pigeons or magpies, which can bully tits away.

Cleaning routine that keeps tits healthy

Dirty feeders spread disease. Trichomonosis, salmonella and avian pox can all be transmitted at feeding stations. Tits are particularly susceptible because they gather in groups. Clean your peanut feeder every week, and more often in wet weather or if you see sick birds. Follow this routine:

• Dismantle the feeder and brush off loose debris.
• Scrub every crevice with hot soapy water and a bottle brush.
• Rinse thoroughly, then soak in a bird-safe disinfectant or a dilute bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water).
• Rinse again until no smell remains, and allow to dry completely before refilling.
• Wear gloves, and wash your hands afterwards.

Rotate feeders if you have several: clean one while another is in use. Discard any peanuts that look discoloured, smell musty, or have black or white mould. Never refill a dirty feeder – leftover crumbs become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Peanuts, seasonality and extra treats

Peanuts are rich in fat and protein, ideal for winter and early spring. However, whole peanuts are dangerous for nestlings because they can choke. A metal mesh feeder solves this by breaking nuts into small pieces. Never put loose whole peanuts on a bird table during the breeding season (roughly March to August). Instead, use the mesh feeder all year round, or switch to sunflower hearts, nyjer seed, or suet pellets in summer. Always buy peanuts marketed for wild birds, never salted or roasted ones for human consumption. Store them in a cool, dry, airtight container. Offer a shallow dish of clean water nearby for drinking and bathing – tits need water even in winter, when natural sources freeze. In hot weather, refresh water daily.

Dealing with squirrels and other visitors

Grey squirrels are relentless. They will chew plastic feeders to bits and empty a metal one in minutes. Hang your feeder on a metal pole fitted with a baffle, or suspend it from a wire between two trees at least 2 metres off the ground. A squirrel-proof cage around the mesh feeder can help, but ensure the mesh size still allows tits through. Larger birds like starlings and pigeons may also crowd out tits. If this happens, try a feeder with a smaller perch or a guardian cage. Finally, keep an eye out for rats, which are attracted to spilled peanuts. Use a tray under the feeder to catch debris, and clear it daily. With a little care, your metal mesh peanut feeder will become a hub for blue tits, great tits and maybe even a coal tit or marsh tit – a daily dose of joy and a genuine help to British wildlife.