Any way to feed birds without attracting RATS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about suet in hanging cages ?

Mine just disappeared out of a large shrub with lots of leaves/twigs down. Guessing it was a deer or a raccoon. I'm done with trying to feed the birds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, nope, seeds will attract all vermin not just squirrels. Will also attract varmints like coons, possums, skunks, etc.

You could use bird feeders but some will still spill. The cylinder feeders with a tray at the bottom to catch spills is your best option, and hang them high on poles with squirrel guards.

So not to derail the thread but this reply made me stop and think...my wife and I grew up in PA (not far from here) and we have seen seen and smelled 100s of skunks growing up. We've lived in Arlington for 8 years and Fairfax for 18 years and we have NEVER EVER seen or smelled a skunk alive or dead in VA. I mean not even dead on the road. How could this be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, nope, seeds will attract all vermin not just squirrels. Will also attract varmints like coons, possums, skunks, etc.

You could use bird feeders but some will still spill. The cylinder feeders with a tray at the bottom to catch spills is your best option, and hang them high on poles with squirrel guards.

So not to derail the thread but this reply made me stop and think...my wife and I grew up in PA (not far from here) and we have seen seen and smelled 100s of skunks growing up. We've lived in Arlington for 8 years and Fairfax for 18 years and we have NEVER EVER seen or smelled a skunk alive or dead in VA. I mean not even dead on the road. How could this be?

I'm in Fairfax and we routinely have foxes, raccoons, deer, etc but I've never seen or smelled skunk. I agree, it's weird! Also no possums.

We see zero rabbits, though, and I bet there must be some or we wouldn't have foxes. They're just good at hiding.

[Anonymous]

In Arlington is Wild Bird Unlimited. They have a no-mess birdseed that doesn’t have hulls etc.

Putting this mix in a vertical bird feed helped us—no rats. Now I only use a no-mess or hull-less seed though I buy from other places too.

[Anonymous]

I only serve HOT PEPPER SUET for my birds. All mammals stay away from it. The birds love it. Especially in winters. You can even feed the ground feeders like doves and juncos with it. Just put it on tray feeders slightly above ground so that they don't get wet. You will also attract all your regular birds and a variety of wood peckers. They are the best.

Wear disposable gloves when handling it.

[Anonymous]

Birds are rats with wings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Birds are rats with wings.

Pigeons and blackbirds certainly are.

[Anonymous]

I smell skunk in Arlington sometimes, near the skate park on Wilson most recently. And often heading out to Great Falls NP.

[Anonymous]

We are forgetting the best part to come...RAT SNAKES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are forgetting the best part to come...RAT SNAKES

I won't feed the birds anymore because it attracts the rodents ... which attracts the ... copperheads. No thanks.