recs for birdhouse/feeder in urban rowhouse

[Anonymous]

We moved into a house this year, and DH wants a birdhouse. I'm hesitant since I've heard about rats on the neighborhood blogs being drawn to bird seed and many people giving up their birdhouses (we're on the border of Columbia Heights/Petworth). Maybe a bird bath and some type of hummingbird feeder could be a good meet-you-halfway. He delights in all the new house cameras so he'd would love one of those feeder that comes with a camera. Thanks for any ideas.

[Anonymous]

As a sad Arlington resident who had to give up feeding birds seeds, I say no bird food.

A raised bird bath might be OK assuming rats wouldn't climb it for water. They drank out of the low one on our deck at night, so I dump it every evening now. We have a cam.

Hummingbird feeder ok.

[Anonymous]

Bird bath and bird house are okay. A bird feeder with seeds will guarantee vermin. You can put out peanuts and suet. I buy bags of unsalted roasted peanuts in the shell at Costco, and many birds go nuts for them. If you supply a heated bath in winter the birds will love you. Hummingbird feeder is fine. Buy the ones with wasp guards and make your own sugar water. The commercial mix has red dye that is harmful to the hummers.
You’ll get the best luck with hummingbirds if you also plant flowers that they like and there are many that will grow well in pots.

[Anonymous]

I get this dilemma—I’m a nature lover/wildlife gardener who lives in the middle of DC, aka rat central. I recommend getting the spicy bird seed. They mix in hot peppers that don’t bother birds but are unpleasant for all mammals.

[Anonymous]

You can trap and remove the rodents using a have a heart trap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a sad Arlington resident who had to give up feeding birds seeds, I say no bird food.

A raised bird bath might be OK assuming rats wouldn't climb it for water. They drank out of the low one on our deck at night, so I dump it every evening now. We have a cam.

Hummingbird feeder ok.

Why did you have to give it up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a sad Arlington resident who had to give up feeding birds seeds, I say no bird food.

A raised bird bath might be OK assuming rats wouldn't climb it for water. They drank out of the low one on our deck at night, so I dump it every evening now. We have a cam.

Hummingbird feeder ok.

Why did you have to give it up?

Vermin.

[Anonymous]

Don't do it. You're going to invite rats and mice.

Your neighbors will hate you.