Outdoor Cushion- Pest Control

Q: I have an outdoor bench with polyester cushions. Birds attacked the top of the cushion, apparently carrying away bits of the stuffing for nests. How do I protect new cushions from the same kind of attack?

A: Try placing a nest material dispenser nearby in spring to give the birds what they want. Buy a suet cage and remove the suet block. Fill the cage instead with yarn cut into six inch lengths, dryer lint, used dryer fabric sliced into strips, long pieces of dried grass and hair groomed from pets.