Bird feeder mistake everyone makes invites rats into your garden – Wales Online

Could you be making this mistake?(Image: Getty)
A simple change to your bird feeder could eradicate the risk of rats coming into your garden.
Setting up a bird feeder in your outdoor area will probably draw plenty of avian visitors – though without appropriate measures, you might unintentionally attract some undesirable creatures.
Rodents like rats and squirrels are unable to recognise that the food meant for robins or tits isn't for them, and will quickly consume whatever has been left in your feeder.
Since practically nobody wishes to encourage a rat problem in their garden, thoughtful planning is essential when using your bird feeder.
Likewise, predators such as cats and foxes might be attracted to the supplies in your feeder, potentially leading to the deaths of the very birds you're attempting to entice to your garden, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Picking the right feeder is key(Image: Getty Images)
Often, both predators and rodents are attracted to your bird feeder because of one common mistake – although thankfully, this can be straightforwardly resolved, according to specialists.
In conversation with Ideal Home, experts explained that a major error many individuals make with bird feeders happens before they even buy one.
Buying a feeder with an unsuitable design can make it easily accessible to rats or squirrels – who are skilled climbers – along with cats and foxes.
For those worried wildlife is consuming bird feed before feathered friends can access it, there is an extensive selection of squirrel and rodent-proof feeders on the market. "
If food is really hard to find in your area," explains expert Thomas Hibbert from the Wildlife Trust, "you could offer some seeds or suet in a squirrel-proof feeder"
Rats could be eating your bird food(Image: Paul Grace Photography Somersham via Getty Images)
The most successful varieties to buy are "weight-activated, caged, and domed" bird feeders, especially for those wanting to keep pests and predators away from their garden.
However, for those unwilling to invest in purpose-built equipment, specialists say there are several alternative methods worth trying.
Squirrels and rats will generally consume whatever is put out for garden birds, but adding certain unwanted ingredients can discourage them completely.
Sunflower or niger seeds, for example, are popular with birds but have little attraction for squirrels.
Furthermore, specific items can be introduced to feeders that create such an unpleasant smell for squirrels and rats that they will avoid them entirely.
Rodents are powerfully deterred by garlic, pepper, cayenne pepper, and peppermint, so distributing these among your bird feed could be remarkably successful.
"While these smells are unappealing to rodents, birds can't actually taste them, so sprinkling a little cayenne pepper into your bird feeders, for example, will act as an additional deterrent," the specialists claim.
Choose Wales Online as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.

source