Be an animal detective

Find out which animals are visiting your garden at night. 
Please note: This activity involves nuts, so please avoid if you have a nut allergy.

Be an animal detective

What you'll need

  • Plastic pipe 7cm in diameter, 30cm long

  • A piece of A4 plain white paper

  • One colour of non-toxic poster paint and a brush

  • Vegetable oil

  • Two pieces of greaseproof paper, each 7x4cm in size

  • Stapler

  • Peanut butter and a long stick

What to do

  1. Take the greaseproof paper and staple it to each end of the sheet of paper.

  2. Put the paint in a pot and add the same amount of vegetable oil, mix it in with the brush. Paint the mixture on to the two pieces of greaseproof paper.

  3. Very carefully slide the paper into the piece of pipe.

  4. Put a large blob of peanut butter on to the end of the long stick and place it inside the pipe on the paper. Remove the stick. The food will smell yummy and attract some animals!

  5. Place the pipe in longer grass or near a wall or hedge and leave it overnight. In the morning, carefully slide out the paper and see which animal is visiting your garden at night time!

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.