Do Bird Feeders Attract Mice

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Bird feeders provide a place for the birds to eat when they visit the backyard. But sometimes, I notice that the seeds will be empty after leaving them overnight. I supposed that there are animals or pests which eat the remaining seeds left in the feeder. The main culprit behind this issue is the mice or any other pests.

However, do bird feeders attract mice? Unfortunately, yes, they can attract mice and other pests. Bird feeders are a common source of attraction for mice because they contain foods that mice like. For example, bird seeds such as nuts and seeds are a favorite food of this pest. Check out why a bird feeder will attract mice and other rodents.

Do Bird Feeders Attract Mice

Mice are Attracted When Bird Feeder is Messy

The dirtier the bird feeder is, the higher the chance that a mouse will be attracted to it to get food. Since mice mainly rely on feel and smell in catching food, leaving the bird food dirty will produce a foul smell which can lure the mouse into the bird feeder’s location.

The way the birds eat bird seeds will shake the feeder, which causes the seeds to drop on the ground. Some birds which will not like the seeds will intentionally throw them away, leaving the bird feeder and its surroundings messy.

Failure to remove all the dirt and the seeds are thrown on the ground can spoil the seeds and cause the bird feeder to get messy. When the location of the bird feeder is empty, the mouse will scurry and sniff around while using their whiskers to drag on the ground and smell the seeds.

Spoiled Seeds Will Attract MIce into the Bird Feeder

When you fill the bird feeder with so many bird seeds, and it becomes spoiled, there is a big chance that a mouse will be attracted to the bird feeder. Mice like to stay in damp places because they like the smell.

So, when you have a stinky cheese in the garbage can or spoiled seeds in your bird feeder, expect the mouse to be in the bird feeder because they smell the moldy seeds. Also, when the bird feeder is wet, it can make the seeds moldy and will attract mice in an instant.

So, it is essential to fill enough seeds for the birds to eat in a particular period to prevent spoilage. It is also a must to maintain a regular schedule for cleaning the bird feeder and fits the surroundings to prevent the mice from coming over.

Unprotected Bird Feeder Will Also Attract Mice

Failure to protect your bird feeder can also help invite mice and other pests to invade it. You will need to eliminate ground-feeding areas for your bird or use open platform feeders because they provide easy access for the mice to use.

You can also protect the bird feeder by covering it or putting it in a cage. This step will discourage the mouse and eliminate any opportunity for the rodent to come into the bird feeder to look for food.

When your bird feeder is already well-protected, hanging it around five to six feet off the ground will also reduce the chance of attracting the mice. If you use a hopper feeder, it will be better to hang it higher, around 8 to 10 inches.

The placement of your bird feeder is also very critical in attracting mice. As much as possible, keeping the bird feeder in the remote part of your backyard will help in keeping the mice away. If you place it under 20 yards from your home, there is a higher probability of mice invasion.

Seed Storage is Accessible

Another instance that mice will be attracted to the bird feeder is when you leave your seed storage container readily accessible near the bird feeder. Sometimes, it is the norm for every backyard birder to put the seed storage near the bird feeder.

It is not a problem if the storage is well protected. However, if you do not cover your storage container, it is expected that the mice can smell the seeds and will literally invade the container in no time.

To avoid this issue, storing your bird seeds in a completely sealed container can eliminate the chance of the mice smelling the seeds. Using a container made of metal or glass can also prevent the mouse from using its sharp teeth to open the container forcibly.

Do Bird Feeders Attract Rodents

Apart from mice, other rodents can be attracted to bird feeders. If given the opportunity, squirrels and rats will also show up in the bird feeder to eat all the seeds found on the feeder.

Squirrels

Squirrels are attracted to all the seeds that fall on the ground when the birds eat in the feeder. A squirrel will go directly to the prospective food source once it finds scattered seeds on the ground.

In addition, squirrels also like to forage any debris from the ground. But once they find seeds in a particular location, they will find a way to locate the source. So, expect this rodent to find a way to invade the bird feeder or squirrel feeders

Rats

Another rodent that can be attracted to bird feeders is the rat. Like the mice, they can be a problem once they discover a prospective food source. These animals are very opportunistic and will look for ways to eat the bird seeds.

Rats are also excellent climbers, which means they can access even the hanging bird feeders. They can also jump into the bird feeder if they want to since they also like to eat bird seeds.

Conclusion

Do bird feeders attract mice? Absolutely. Bird feeders contain bird seeds which is one of the favorite food of mice. Other rodents can be attracted to bird feeders, such as rats and squirrels. These rodents can be a headache to every backyard feeder, but it is essential to eliminate their threats as soon as possible.

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