How to avoid attracting "rodents" with Bird Seed

It is not a big problem here in Alberta because we do not have rats here but in other parts of Canada, in particular British Columbia, I hear about challenges with rats being attracted to bird seed.  Of course bird seed can attract really any wild animal including bears, squirrels, deer, raccoons etc. So how do you avoid attracting these wild animals and just feed the birds?

Racoon caught executing a night time raid on a bird feeder near our Chin Ridge Office.

Here are some tips from the Wild Bird Feeding Industry on rats in particular but they really apply to most unwanted critters:

1. Mount your feeders high off the ground in a way that makes it more difficult for critters to reach the feeders.  
2. Use a squirrel proof feeder to discourage larger animals from eating at it.  For example some feeders are weight activated so that if a heavy animal stands on the feeder the seed holes will close up.
3. Use a seed catcher to try to prevent seed from being spilled on the ground and clean up seed regularly under the feeder.
4. Use good quality bird seed so that the birds consume it all instead of dumping the undesirable seed on the ground.
5. Bring feeders in at night to avoid attracting wild life that is more active at night e.g rats and racoons.
6. Store excess seed in plastic or metal tubs that are rodent proof.
7. Try to keep your yard clean of other waste that may attract rodents, e.g. garbage bins, petfood, uncovered compost or food waste piles, dirty bbq's etc. 

Following these tips can help avoid attracting those unwanted rodents to your back yard.