Bird food attracts rodents and vermin to your garden. We’ve heard that a lot, right? And yes, it can do, but it’s a bit more complicated than that…
Feeding the birds
We want to do our bit helping the local wildlife to thrive, so feeding birds is a natural thing to do. Unfortunately, mice and rats are vermin, and possibly carrying diseases, so we don’t want them in our gardens.
Mice and rats are scavengers and they are opportunistic feeders so we can’t blame them for wanting to take bird food. It’s their natural behaviour and they will feed on just about anything they can get their paws on. If we are leaving them plentiful food outside, they’re naturally going to eat it.
Feeding birds doesn’t automatically mean you will end up with rodents living in your garden. Many people leave out bird food and don’t ever see rodents scurrying about. You may have the odd mouse or rat pass though, but it might not develop into an issue.
Vermin living in our gardens
The thing is, you probably have rodents living in your garden regardless of whether you have bird food there or not. The bird food doesn’t attract them to your garden, if you see vermin, they are already there. Its just that the bird food may tempt them to venture out from undercover more often.
How can we stop rats and mice eating bird food?
One of the main reasons you will see rats or mice eating bird food, is because it is accessible for them.
- They are excellent climbers so if you make it harder for them to reach, they will be less likely to bother.
- You need to make sure that there is no mess or fallen food on the floor – the easier it is to reach, the rodents will get it.
- Don’t overfill trays as they are more likely to create spillage.
- Use higher quality bird food. Birds tend to sift through the food and discard the bits they don’t like which, you guessed it, end up on the floor.
If you have a bird feeder on a pole and have noticed rats climbing up to reach the bird feeder, you can try the following:
- Try smearing the pole with Vaseline – some people swear by it!
- Purchase a ‘baffle’ – a sort of clear, plastic dome, which stops squirrels (and rats) from reaching bird feeders.
- Make sure your feeder is not near any sheds or roofs, so the vermin cannot jump onto it.
Obviously, ensure that your garden is free from rubbish, that dustbins are stored out of the way and securely closed. Rats also like cosy spots outside in the countryside and towns. Garden waste, like piles of branches, can create warm areas for them, as can collections of lots of plant pots.
Ultimately, if you see one rat or mouse occasionally, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. It may mean that they are just passing through. If you practise good house and garden hygiene, there shouldn’t be too much risk. However, if you do feel you have a bit of an issue with rodents and vermin, would like an assessment or some advice, please get in touch with us. We will be glad to help.
Call us
If you would like advice or support with a rat, mice or rodent infestation, don’t hesitate to call or message Jeremy on 07766083234. We are always glad to help.
Photo by j. a. uppendahl on Unsplash
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