re: Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

quote:

---

I don't mind the squirrels that much. It's the raccoon that comes and dumps all the seed on the ground. I don't know how to keep them away.

---

Squirrels, raccoons, no problem. Drinking coffee on the patio one recent pre-dawn morning, I could see that one of the bird feeders, about 60 feet from me, was sort of twirling about. The backyard neighbor’s floodlights gave off just enough light to see, albeit unclearly. Once my eyes adjusted, I realized there were rats on the feeder. They came down from a tree limb and were swarming. I finished my coffee inside, pretty much freaking the eff out.

Since then, I’ve been on the lookout. I’ve seen a couple of them as they’ve scampered across the top of the backyard fence, and the top board across the fence. I can see the top of a ratty looking shed right against the neighbor’s backyard fence and think they might be coming from there. I think we need to stop feeding the birds, except the hummingbirds.