Do Rats Keep Birds Away From Their Feeders?
WouterIf you have a rat problem, you may wonder, “Do rats keep birds away from their feeders?” The good news is that you can take steps to prevent them. One method is to remove bird seed pellets from your feeder. This method works best in combination with other bird control methods. In addition, you should keep your yard tidy. It is also important to clean up any bird seed and fruit and nut deposits you have.
Ideally, you should avoid using bird feeders in areas with active rats. Instead, try using natural foliage like seed-bearing flowers, oat grasses, and fruit-bearing trees. When you do put out bird feeders, make sure to avoid overhanging branches, or placing them too close to buildings. Ideally, you should also keep the feeders close to fences or walls so rats can’t get to them. You should also catch and discard the seed spillage every day.
You should clean your bird feeders every time you fill them. This includes the ports on the feeder and inside the seed trays. This will help keep rats away because rats like easy food sources. You can also use plastic sheeting beneath your feeders to collect any spilled seed. Moreover, make sure to remove any leftovers before dusk.
Another way to keep rats away from your bird feeders is to put bird seed in a metal container. These are more effective because they kill the rats in a much faster time than poisoning. If you live in an urban area, you can use live catch traps instead of traps. These traps are very effective but can be costly. If you live in a rural area, you can also give bird seeds to the wildlife that inhabit your area.
