Hi I'm new here, so forgive me if this has been asked before. I've been feeding the birds for years but recently the feeder is attracting rats. I'm feeding sunflower hearts and trying to keep the ground underneath clean because the finches seem to spit some out. I don't want to use posion and I'd hate to stop feeding the birds but I might have to. Any advice greatly appreciated.
Cin J
I'll also add, rats are one of natures many hoovers, clearing up what other species leave behind, which is why in urban environments they're so successful.
To remove the feeders, and then reintroduce them at a later date will only defer the rats return, they will be back.
What might be a better idea is to make it harder for the rats to feed on food dropped to the ground by daily clearing up, and it may require more than one daily clearing up mission.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler