If you love to watch the birds in your garden, but don’t enjoy seeing rats and mice creep in to pinch the seed from the feeders, then don’t stress. There is a simple way to keep pests away from your garden while still enjoying all the beauty of birds in spring time.
Bird feeding expert Richard Green at leading bird food supplier Kennedy Wild Bird & Pet Food Supplies has shared the top ways Brits can continue to feed birds without attracting rats to the garden. One of the ways you can banish rats and mice is by adding strong scents to your bird feeders that rats can’t stand. Green said: “Natural deterrents, such as eucalyptus, citronella, cayenne pepper, or peppermint, can be highly effective in keeping rats away. These strong scents are unpleasant to rodents, offering an organic defense mechanism that works well when placed near bird feeders to protect the food from pests.”
Another smart move is to invest in spill proof feeders, which minimises the chances for rats to come in and scoop up spilled seed.
Green said: “Going for spill-proof feeders is a smart choice for those looking for the least mess and can prevent rodents from getting dropped seeds.
“Choosing high-quality feeders designed to reduce seed spillage helps make sure that the food remains available for birds, not for rats.
“Platform trays can make it easier for rats to access birdseed, as their open design allows rodents to climb and feed without much effort. Instead, go for enclosed feeders or tube feeders, as they limit the accessibility for rats and reduce the chances of attracting them.”
You can also install baffles to add a physical barrier for pests.
Green said: “Both dome and tubular baffles are effective tools for keeping pests away from bird food, preventing rats from climbing and accessing the seeds while maintaining an attractive setup for birds.”
Make sure you don’t overfill your feeders as excess seed is more likely to draw pests to your garden Instead, only add as much feed as birds can eat in a day.