We love feeding the birds, but they drop seeds on our balcony and attract mice, rats, and squirrels. You don't have to stop feeding birds out of fear that bird seed will attract rats and mice to your yard. Lots of food ends up on the floor for squirrels, mice and rats. For example, you can feed squirrels some nuts as desert after they’ve eaten all of their vegetables. Despite the uneasy alliance, wherever there is man there are rats. This can control feeding the entire Milton wildlife population. Also, rats have poor eyesight (squirrels do not), so rats, like mice, tend to stick to the edges of walls and perimeters so keep the feeders out in … They can't get the bird seed either, but we don't think they're cute and fun to watch. If you feed birds, you will attract other creatures - squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, raccoons, possum, etc. You can do what we do and reserve the nuts for squirrel desert. Squirrels should maintain their natural fear of humans and the areas in which they live. That can lead to them getting too comfortable around people and in residential areas. Feeding squirrels by hand teaches them that they have nothing to fear from humans. Since a squirrel is predominantly a herbivore, it needs a decent amount of vegetables, minerals and vitamins. We have a feeder pole in the backyard with four different feeders on it. They can fit through a hole the size of a dime in your outer walls or foundation. However, there are some precautions that can keep your bird feeder a “birds only” food source. But very necessary if you are going to have a rat free house. Katherine Smith has some pointers on how to avoid pest issues.cription. Keep reading to learn more about how they attract these small rodents and what you can do to prevent it. Many times they will even transport a lot of the food into your walls to start stockpiling for winter. What to do? They can fit through a hole the size of a dime in your outer walls or foundation. This is not a rats-in-the-house problem -- … Bird feeders are great for watching birds but we've all had to battle different kinds of pests to keep them away from our bird paradises. This can control feeding the entire Milton wildlife population. Do Birdfeeders Attract Rodents? You can do what we do and reserve the nuts for squirrel desert. What can we do to keep rodents away while feeding birds?-Mary Lou But I do agree that those who feed birds, myself included, need … Are bird feeders really to blame for rat populations? Just think, it's not birds that attract rats, it's humans. So does anyone have any suggestions on getting rid of the rats without hurting the squirrels? Close Many of us enjoy feeding birds in our gardens but if we are not careful we can attract undesirable visitors to share in the bounty. The North American bird feeding industry talks about the many different species of birds you will see once you set up a variety of feeders offering a variety of foods. However, there are some precautions that can keep your bird feeder a “birds only” food source. For example, you can feed squirrels some nuts as desert after they’ve eaten all of their vegetables. Similar situation in apartment complex, and believe it or not, with neighbors near my house out-of-state. Getting rid of the rats you see now, will not keep your home rodent free. How to prevent squirrels and rats eating bird food David Chapman / 08 December 2016 Tweet. It will be more difficult than dealing with your feeders, because a rat, can fit through a hole slightly smaller than a quarter. To some they are nice additions to the collection of creatures, but mice are crafty at finding ways into your home. ... then once dose a month for a couple of months and the rats (and any squirrels or foxes that eat it) will learn its a BAD idea. Rats and squirrels don’t like it but the birds aren’t bothered by it. Whether you feed birds, squirrels, deer, or any other type of wildlife, you might attract rats. Squirrels may seem fluffy and cute as they scurry throughout your back yard, but these small rodents can create big problems. The cooler weather motivates mice to find dry warm places. August 11, 2016 by Bill Dowd. I really love the squirrels! But do they attract mice? Anything you use to poison them would also poison the desireable animals, including the birds, not to mention any neighborhood pets or children that might get into it. 0. Attract a lot of squirrels to your neighborhood and the chances of parasites jumping onto you and your pets and setting up …