Trichomonosis, what do we do?
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What do about Trichomonosis this Summer?
Published by The Wildlife Food Company | April 2026
If you've been following wildlife news recently, you'll have seen the RSPB's important updated guidance on feeding garden birds. At The Wildlife Food Company, we've read it carefully, we stand fully behind the importance of this and we want to help you understand what it means — and what to do instead.
A Conservation Crisis in Our Back Gardens
You may already be aware of Trichomonosis — the parasitic disease that has devastated UK finch populations. If you'd like a deep dive into what it is, how it spreads, and why feeder hygiene is so critical, we've written a detailed guide here: The Importance of Cleaning Bird Feeders →
What's new is the scale of the response. Following a major evidence review conducted with the British Trust for Ornithology and the Institute of Zoology, the RSPB has confirmed that Greenfinch numbers have fallen by more than 65% since the mid-1990s, with disease identified as a key driver. The disease may now also be causing a rapid decline in Bullfinches. BirdGuides
The New RSPB Guidance: Feed Seasonally, Feed Safely
This is the headline change: the RSPB now recommends that you pause feeding garden birds seeds and peanuts between 1 May and 31 October. RSPB
The scientific evidence shows that the risk of trichomonosis outbreaks is highest in summer and autumn. RSPB During these months, birds congregate more frequently around feeders, the parasite survives longer in warmer conditions, and natural food — insects, caterpillars, berries — is actually abundant. Natural food sources such as caterpillars, bugs and flies are at their peak during this time, and the benefits of supplementary seed feeding are much less clear. The Conversation
Finch species prefer seeds, but as they rarely eat fatballs, suet and mealworms, these foods are considered low risk when it comes to the spread of trichomonosis. RSPB So there is still plenty you can do for your garden birds — just differently.
The RSPB is also reinforcing its advice on feeder design: flat surface feeders appear to carry a higher risk of onward transmission than hanging feeders, and are best avoided. British Trust for Ornithology
Where We Stand
At The Wildlife Food Company, conservation isn't a marketing message, it's the reason we started this business.
As a family-run business, we see the impact of wildlife decline up close. We currently have a regular number of goldfinches and greenfinches in our back garden and would very much like this to continue. We owe it to our customers, our community, and the birds themselves to be honest and responsible.
We have now stopped selling Niger seed for the foreseeable future, as this is a primary food source for Finches. We will continue selling sunflower hearts and sunflower seeds as these are part of the mixed diet for red squirrels, which we specialise in providing food for.
So What CAN You Put Out This Summer?
The good news is there are safe, RSPB-approved alternatives your garden birds will genuinely love. Here's what to offer between May and October:
Dried Mealworms — The number one summer food. High in protein and eagerly taken by robins, blackbirds, blue tits and starlings. During spring and summer, dried mealworms can be soaked in water to make them easier for nestlings to eat and to increase their moisture content. RSPB A little goes a long way — put out small amounts and refresh daily. We stock high-quality dried mealworms in our range.
Suetballs & Suetcake — A brilliant energy source and safe to offer year-round in moderation. Homemade fat balls can melt in warm summer weather and should be avoided RSPB — look for purpose-made suet products designed to hold their shape in the heat. We have summer-suitable options available.
Bird-Friendly Planting — This latest disease outbreak is a great opportunity to think longer term. The RSPB recommends bird-friendly planting — including sunflowers, teasels and ivy — which provide seasonal food and encourage the insects that matter when birds are feeding their chicks. Habitat loss is one of the biggest issues that faces wildlife across the globe and the UK is right up there as one of the worst countries for natural habitat. Intensive agriculture and 'clean' gardens leave nature with nowhere to live or feed, so it's time to create messy areas. This is something we'll be going into in greater depth over the coming months.
Fresh Water — Arguably the most important thing you can offer in summer. The RSPB recommends only putting water out if you are able to change it every day using tap water. RSPB A shallow dish, refreshed daily, can be a genuine lifesaver during dry spells.
Feeder Hygiene Remains Essential
The information coming in from various sources is highlighting dirty feeding stations as the biggest reason for disease transmission. Not only Trichomonosis, but other diseases too. Birds would naturally forage in different areas across a large range, but as foraging habitat is becoming more and more scare, they seek sanctuary in our gardens. Bird feeders have now become disease transmission hotspots and any feeder or table with a flat surface is an area of high risk. The advice is to use free hanging feeders where birds are less likely to regurgitate or defecate on the feeder, then clean that feeder weekly and regularly change hanging positions in the garden.
For a full guide to cleaning your feeders properly, dealing with disease signs, and keeping your feeding station safe, read our dedicated post: The Importance of Cleaning Bird Feeders →
In a nutshell: clean weekly, move your feeder regularly, use hanging feeders only, and never top up old food with fresh.
Looking Ahead to Winter
The RSPB notes it is often beneficial to feed birds during winter, especially during cold weather when natural food can be in short supply. Birds can also benefit from feeding during March and April — sometimes called the 'hungry gap' — when there are fewer natural foods available for seed-eating birds. RSPB
Browse our summer-safe range → (link to suet products) (link to mealworms)
Sources: RSPB 'Feed Seasonally, Feed Safely' guidance (April 2026); British Trust for Ornithology seasonal feeding FAQ (April 2026)