In the long run, preventing rodent infestation relies on a combination of good coop management, preventative measures and feed management. Rats are creatures of the night. If you’re seeing them during the day, you have a major problem. Either you’re looking at an infestation or they’re starving and so desperate for food they’ll do anything to get it. A fresh supply of water is also key to encouraging birds to the garden, too, even in the winter! How do I keep squirrels off my bird feeder? Thomas adds that you should also 'ensure you clean any feeders regularly to prevent disease' and deter nightime scavengers. FAQs Do we need to feed birds in winter? Again, this may result in rats dying in hard to reach places. But it does eliminate the possibility of your animals or wildlife getting poisoned if they find and eat the rat. Call a Professional

That’s quite a statement I know when rat poison is so good at killing rats and is widely used, but rat poison kills more than just rats. It is toxic to most birds as well as other wildlife, farm animals and our pets.

Your first task is to make your property a terrible place for a rodent to live. This will not eliminate every last rat, but it will help to get them out in the open and discourage them from nesting and making thousands of rat babies in and around your coop. Clean up clutter

Landowners in England and Wales are obliged to control rodents under the terms of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act (1949). This places an obligation on owners or occupiers to control rats and mice on their property and to inform the local Council of infestations.

Sweep up any spilled feed and remove uneaten scraps from your coop at the end of the day. If rats have already discovered it, you should also remove your feeder to a rat-proof container or location overnight. Scottish Highlands: AB36-38, AB55-56, FK17-21, IV1-39, IV52-52, IV63, KW1-14, PA21-40, PH19-26, PH30-41, PH49-50. Rats and mice love to live in compost. It has everything they need, comfy bedding, a safe place to breed, and plenty of food. If you don’t want rats living in your compost you’ll have to make it as uncomfortable for them as possible. It's good to be generous, but it doesn't do to be too generous with your bird food – especially if you want to protect your bird feeder from rats and squirrels.

To protect the coop use hardware cloth on the floor, and also to cover any ventilation areas, and existing holes. Most rats can squeeze through a space as small as a quarter, so be thorough as you search for holes and cover even the small ones in hardware cloth, or stuff them with steel wool. Rodents are competent climbers, so they can and will scale trees and poles to access bird feeders,' says Eric.Poultry feed is expensive and even a modest amount of feed being wasted daily will soon add up over the course of a month, not to mention the associated risk of disease when rats or wild birds are involved. It is important you only use the amount of bird food or seed that you know (or estimate) will be eaten by birds within two or three days at most,' says Eric.

Local Councils have powers to ensure that rodent control is carried out and may serve enforcement notices on landowners. Councils can carry out the works required directly and charge the costs to the owner. So, now that you know how to protect your bird feeder from rats and squirrels, it's time to get out there and feed the birds (tuppence a bag!) and help them make it through the cold winter months ahead.The RentACoop Metallic Treadle Feeder mimics the design and functionality of the Grandpa’s Feeders model, with some notable improvements. While both are metallic, waterproof, and pest-proof, the RentACoop model can hold up to 25 pounds of feed instead of 20.