Birds are generally accepted as enjoyable to observe. The problem is they’re also small, fast and hard to see for very long when in motion or at a distance. Introduce the bird feeder. Bird feeders are a great way to bring birds in closer to observe and enjoy. However, these cute critters are not the tidiest eaters and other critters enjoy nuts and seeds as well.
Food, water and shelter are the core elements of survival. Bird seeds offer sufficient food for not only birds. When birds drop seeds from feeders or feeders allow for other critters like squirrels, rats & mice to snack homeowners may find themselves with more wildlife than they expected or wanted. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate other critters from feeding off your bird feeders and staying out of your house.
One of the first things to consider before setting up a bird feeder is “does my home have any access points that critters can use to enter?” If mice or squirrels are attracted to your bird feeder and are close to your home routinely, it’s not uncommon for them to take up residence close to their source of food. If your dryer vents are uncapped birds may decide to live in the vent. Squirrels and raccoons are known to enter construction gaps around roof trim. After ensuring your home is sealed/protected where it should be, determine the location of the feeder.
Having your bird feeder close to your windows makes sense for observation. However, keeping some distance between your feeders and your home is good practice. Some animals like squirrels can jump 6-10 feet. If your feeder is close to your home or hanging off a nearby tree branch keep in mind you may notice more than just birds on your property. Consider keeping your bird feeders close enough that you can enjoy them but far enough that critters are not running on your decks or window sills. Lastly, make sure to routinely clean the area around your bird feeder from dropped food. A good sweep or use of a shop vac will help remove the enticement from other critters looking for a snack.
It’s true that bird feeders can attract other critters to you property. From there those critters may decide to move into your home if the opportunity presents itself. With some planning, and routine maintenance bird feeders can be enjoyed while keeping other critters away. Location, cleaning and ensuring your home is sealed properly are good steps in excluding critters from getting too close for comfort while still enjoying the birds.