Any tips on deterring rats from invading the bird feeding station?

I don't want to kill or harm the rats just deter them from invading the bird feeding station and eating everything in sight! They are also scaring off the bird population apart from the magpies who enjoy giving them the run around on the lawn. Highly amusing to see a rat chasing a magpie, however I would like the birds to be able to eat in peace. I have had the bird feeding station moved with amusing results as the rats didn't initially realise and as they launched themselves off the fence towards the feeders they suddenly found themselves racing towards the earth! Again highly amusing but now they have worked out that they can climb up the pole. Have been trying out various slippery based applications eg vasoline, oil and some other type of grease. However the rain and their repeated attempts to climb up soon wear off the application. Any tips would be gratefully received. I should mention that I have communal gardens so difficult to re-site the feeding station as do not want to impede the grounds maintenance ie very large lawn mower that has to be ridden! Hence the feeder is near a fence. Have also pruned nearby bushes so that they can't climb from there. Clever and resourceful little so and so's!!!

Every creature has the right to co-exist next to each other. It is not up to the humans to decide its fate just because it is a nuisance to them!

  • Yes the text did come out rather large for some reason and I was unable to change it. I was just typing merrily away in normal text size of approx 12 and then there was a blip and the text just jumped to that size and wouldn't change back.

    A few people have now mentioned squirrel proof feeders so I shall look into it.

     

    Thanks for the info.

    Kind regards

    Salsachica

    Woodpecker said:

    Is it just me or is the first post in extra large text with no space between the lines so it's very difficult to read?

    Salsachica Doesthe text change to normal text when you edit it?

    Most bird feed sellers also sell some method of preventing squirrels from climbling up poles, or from landing on specific feeders. I think these should work against rats too.

    Best wishes Chris

    Every creature has the right to co-exist next to each other. It is not up to the humans to decide its fate just because it is a nuisance to them!

  • No I didn't copy and paste. The text jumped to that size whilst typing and I couldn't change it back or edit. New to the website and its functions! Other half thinks I may have accidently touched another key while typing!

    Every creature has the right to co-exist next to each other. It is not up to the humans to decide its fate just because it is a nuisance to them!

  • No I didn't copy and paste. The text jumped to that size whilst typing and I couldn't change it back or edit. New to the website and its functions! Other half thinks I may have accidently touched another key while typing!

    Squirrel B said:

    Hi Chris, no it's not just you. I suspect it has been copied and pasted from somewhere else - which doesn't seem to work on this forum. (That's usually been done where you also get all the "rubbish" text at the top of a post as well).

    Every creature has the right to co-exist next to each other. It is not up to the humans to decide its fate just because it is a nuisance to them!

  • Salsachica said:
    Yes the text did come out rather large for some reason and I was unable to change it. I was just typing merrily away in normal text size of approx 12 and then there was a blip and the text just jumped to that size and wouldn't change back.

    That's strange. Have you tried to go back into your post using the 'edit' button and repost it?

    Best wishes Chris

    Best wishes Chris

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  • Woodpecker said:

    Yes the text did come out rather large for some reason and I was unable to change it. I was just typing merrily away in normal text size of approx 12 and then there was a blip and the text just jumped to that size and wouldn't change back.

    That's strange. Have you tried to go back into your post using the 'edit' button and repost it?

    Best wishes Chris

    [/quote]Oh yes! Had several attempts! Must either be the website or our pc as yesterday the website kept sticking and ended up posting my reply around 8 times!!

    Every creature has the right to co-exist next to each other. It is not up to the humans to decide its fate just because it is a nuisance to them!

  • You could try mixing the bird food with cayenne pepper or chilli powder, which i have used in the past as a successful deterrent to squirrels, as they can't handle the heat.  Doesn't affect the birds :)

  • Thank you! I'll give it a go although the little blighters seem to eat anything! lol!

    Unknown said:

    You could try mixing the bird food with cayenne pepper or chilli powder, which i have used in the past as a successful deterrent to squirrels, as they can't handle the heat.  Doesn't affect the birds :)

    Every creature has the right to co-exist next to each other. It is not up to the humans to decide its fate just because it is a nuisance to them!