Page 28 - May 2020 Courier.pub

Bird Feeders May

Attract More Than

Birds

It seems that late summer is a time when rodents, specifically rats and mice, are active. Our office received several complaints in September
regarding what might be attracting them to certain parts of our neighborhood. If you type “what attracts rats and mice” gardens, pet food left out
overnight, and birdfeeders seem to be at the top of the list. There have to be some solutions for the bird lovers in our community who want to keep
their birdfeeders, but lose the rats.

The Real Problem
The villains here are the rats, not the bird feeders. Surely there are many residents who appreciate the feeders and the birds they attract.

Tips for Discouraging
Because mice and rats are adaptable, it is impossible to completely eliminate them from any bird-friendly property. It is easier than many birders think,
however, to make rats and mice unwelcome and discourage them from staying nearby. Follow these steps:

 Eliminate ground-feeding areas or open  Store Smart: Store your bird seed in  Choose metal or recycled plastic feeders with
platform feeders that are easy for mice to airtight, watertight, rodent-proof containers thick, durable construction and rounded
use. Instead, opt for hanging tube or away from where rodents live. Carry the edges that mice will find difficult to chew.
sheltered hopper feeders that use wire or container out to the bird feeder, rather than Feeders that are squirrel-resistant are often
metal hangers mice won’t be able to climb. shoveling bird food (and spilling waste) in mouse-resistant as well.
 Use a Seed Tray: Install a seed catcher tray your house or garage.  Use metal poles to hang feeders several feet
on your feeder pole, to catch stray seeds and  Rodent-Proof Your Feeders: Use baffles to off the ground. Mice can easily climb
hulls that the birds drop as they eat. Some prevent rodents from climbing the pole, and wooden poles, but their claws will not have
feeders come with detachable trays, or you place feeders where rodents can’t get to good traction on metal. Broad baffles are
can buy pole-mounted ones. them. Avoid ground feeders if you have a another obstacle to keep them away from

 Choose No Waste Bird Food: A number of rodent problem. feeders.
bird feeding options are available that reduce  Rodent-Proof Your House: Because it’s  Clean bird feeders regularly with a weak
the amount of waste that’s dropped (thereby impossible to keep mice and rats completely bleach solution to decontaminate them and
reducing the temptation for rodents). Look away outdoors, protect your home by sealing eliminate odors that may be attractive to
for hulled seeds, including sunflower hearts, any cracks and openings where they might mice.
shelled peanuts, and hulled millet. You can get inside.  Keep grass near the feeders well trimmed to
also try suet, nectar, thistle, or cracked corn.
 Regularly clean underneath feeding areas by remove shelter that can make rats and mice
 Clean Up: Use a broom to regularly sweep raking up spilled seed and hulls, or using a feel more secure. If they are nervous, they
up seeds and hulls on the ground. You’ll leaf vacuum to collect the debris. This will are less likely to stay nearby.
miss out on ground feeding birds, but it’ll also help clean up any contamination in the
discourage rodents. area, keeping birds healthier.

Keep it Clean

Rake the area around the bird feeder and clean up any spilled bird seed on a daily basis. A pan or tray under the feeder makes
cleaning easier although it will accumulate bird droppings as well as spilled seed. Don’t leave seeds on the ground overnight
when it will attract the nocturnal rats. Monitor the area after dark for signs of rats.

May 2020 Page 28