We realize birds can sometimes be considered pests, but, despite that, we love our feathered friends and want to help them through the long winter by providing food. However, because Northwest Pest Control knows a thing or two about other pests, we understand rats can also be fans of birdfeeders, which just won’t do! Can you feed the birds without attracting rats? We say yes.
Let’s first take a look at rats. They are inherently lazy so the more challenging it is to access food the less likely they are to bother. Making your feeder as challenging for a rat to get to as possible, is the key to keeping them away.
Eliminate tree-hanging feeders: Rats don’t much care for climbing but the bark on trees, or the bunched branches of shrubs, reduces the challenge. The appeal of a full belly may outweigh the dread of the climb. Your best bet is to put feeders far away from nearby trees and shrubs.
Mount feeders on metal poles: Metal offers nothing for a rat to grip so it can’t ascend the pole to reach the food. But there are some rats that are a bit more dexterous, so add an additional roadblock for them by adding a baffle to the pole. If it can’t climb through it or over it, it can’t reach the seed. Foiled again!
Use no waste bird feed: Sunflower seeds, millet, and corn are all types of feed that have husks. Birds don’t eat husks. They remove them and toss them to the ground. This is a buffet for rats who aren’t nearly as finicky about what they eat. Buy already shelled, or no shell seeds. And, really, rats find millet and corn in particular delectable, so it might be best to avoid this type of feed altogether.
Keep the ground free of seed: As mentioned, rats are lazy. If food simply falls from the sky and collects on the ground, they will be sure to take advantage of the easy feast. To stop the food from falling, you could turn to a feeder with smaller holes like a thistle feeder, but that can limit the types of birds that visit. A better solution is to use a catcher tray that attaches to the pole mount. It is what it sounds like–a flat tray that accumulates the falling seed and husks. You could even make your own tray with a plastic plate or lid. What else were you going to do with those lids in your container drawer that have no match?
Fill feeders indoors: Whether pouring seed directly from the container or using a scoop to get it into the feeder, there’s a high likelihood some will spill onto the ground. Remove the rat temptation by filling your feeders indoors where clean up is a simple swipe of a broom or vacuum and the rats will have no idea what they missed.
Rat proof: Keep bird food in a tightly sealed metal container for maximum security from rats. They can chew through plastic or paper, and even toss loose lids aside, but metal is no match. For further protection, take a look at where you store your seed and seal off any cracks or gaps around the room’s windows, doors, or vents to block entrances. And while you’re at it, take a look around your entire home, garage and attic included, and make sure you are not leaving an easy entryway for the rats.
Bird feeders and rats do not have to go hand-in-hand. With a little extra thought about the seed you buy, the feeder you use, and how you handle the bird food, you can keep on feeding the winter flocks without ushering in the rat pack. If you have any further questions, our experts at Northwest Pest Control are happy to help. And if the rats have already invaded, give us a call and we’ll remove them, plus ensure they won’t return.