I love to put bird seed out and watch the backyard birds enjoy the delicious meal. What isn’t so great, that same food is an attractant for mice and rats. A few tips to consider if you want to enjoy the feathered garden visitors but not the rodents.
If you see indications of rodents around your bird food, it’s likely they’re already in the area; putting up a feeder isn’t likely to make rats suddenly materialize. But if they are in the area, bird seed is an easy meal. If you already have rodents, consider:
- Removing as much rat shelter as possible, particularly brush and debris piles, stacked wood, and thick patches of ivy and other groundcovers.
- Preventing access to food sources such as garbage cans, compost piles, pet food, stored birdseed, dog waste (it’s true!), BBQ grills, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees.
Here’s some information on managing rats from the Marin Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. They provide free rodent inspections to residents of Marin and Sonoma counties. During these inspections, District staff attempt to locate rodent entry points to structures, identify sources of harborage, identify the rodent species that are present, and provide recommendations to residents about how to make their property less attractive to rodents. Residents may call 1.707.285.2200 for advice about rodent issues or to schedule a free inspection of their residence.
If you’re ready to try feeding the birds, the type of food you provide, and the feeder can make a big difference:
- Try hot pepper suet or hot pepper-treated seed – birds can’t taste these foods, but they are highly distasteful to mammals.
- Use “no mess” seeds with 100% edible ingredients like shelled sunflower, hulled millet, or chopped nuts. As long as you have some ground-feeding birds like doves, towhees, sparrows, or quail, any small bits that fall beneath your feeder will quickly be consumed.
- Try suet cakes, suet balls, suet nuggets, or spreadable Bark Butter that does not fall to the ground.
- Hang feeders from a freestanding pole with a baffle (a metal disc or cylinder) to block climbing animals.
- Most window feeders are safe from rodents, as long as placed a few feet away from any climbable walls, tree branches, etc.
Learn more about feeding backyard birds: