Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To carry on feeding the birds even though rats have appeared in our garden?

114 replies

ahe2 · 26/04/2025 20:28

Not sure what to do about this.

We love feeding the birds. My DC have learned the names of so many birds because of this and while I don’t exactly believe robins are the souls of our loved ones … well … maybe I want to think it’s something to do with being watched over.

The problem is we now have rats. I’ve seen a baby one and an adult so I think there’s probably a nest.

Part of me thinks rats are everywhere. We live cruelly, it’s a big garden with a large hedge leading into open meadows and woodland so there will be rats. We had rabbits a couple of years ago which I loved and we have a squirrel which I’ve no problem with. So …

On the other hand the thought of rats on my children’s play equipment and possibly spreading disease is unpleasant.

What would you do? Is there any way we can continue feeding the birds but discourage the rats?

OP posts:
SaladSandwichesForTea · 26/04/2025 20:40

You need to keep your property free from rats and mice.

If your neighbours complain then the council can compel you to to take action or take action on your behalf and recover the money under the Prevention of Pests Act 1949.

You need to clean the areas regularly, consider food that doesn't spill etc.

LudvillasCave · 26/04/2025 20:39

Where we live people turn out literal whole pans of rice, loaves of bread, piles of cereal onto the grass near the houses. It’s fucking nuts.

Next door throw rice into their backyard. We see rats out the back all the time.

I guess it’s likely a cultural thing?

Anyway, I would look at hanging bird feeders perhaps OP?

rumred · 26/04/2025 20:38

Keep feeding. There's rats everywhere. And they are lovely once you get to know them

TheHerboriste · 26/04/2025 20:38

I did. And I refuse to use poison or other inhumane methods.

Peppermint oil, disrupting their burrows and keeping bird feed off the ground has minimized the problem.

My BIL in the US uses a humane rat contraceptive that is non toxic and won’t kill onward predators; he says rats gobble it up and it’s really made a difference. He’s an avid bird feeder.

I hope it’s available here soon.

Acc0untant · 26/04/2025 20:37

Of course you need to stop feeding them if you're encouraging rats.

Get a bird bath instead.

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 26/04/2025 20:36

Also, it's highly unlikely your child will catch anything from a rat. Having been on the play stuff.

OverpricedCupcake · 26/04/2025 20:34

Of course you should stop.

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 26/04/2025 20:33

Don't use ground feeders and use mess free feeders where you can. Don't put out excess food, top up a small amount daily.

amele · 26/04/2025 20:33

Well of course u should stop! Do you want the rats finding a way in to ur house?

letsnotIRL · 26/04/2025 20:33

I had to give up feeding the brids because of the mice and rats. We were gutted but they started trying to get into the house so a big no from me.

100PercentFaithful · 26/04/2025 20:32

Aibusadandhormonal · 26/04/2025 20:30

Stop feeding them for the summer. If you have a good garden there will be plenty of food for them and with that the rats will leave for a better location

Then you lose the joy of seeing them come to the bird table.
I would definitely carry on feeding OP. We do.
The rats tend to disappear out to the fields during the summer months.

RobinHumphries · 26/04/2025 20:32

The birds don’t need feeding this time of year

ColinOfficeTrolley · 26/04/2025 20:32

Ewww no. Rats running around my garden would certainly make me stop putting food out.

Aibusadandhormonal · 26/04/2025 20:30

Stop feeding them for the summer. If you have a good garden there will be plenty of food for them and with that the rats will leave for a better location

Swipe left for the next trending thread