"Sally Thompson" wrote
JennyC" wrote:

snip
[re rats eating fat balls]

We've lived here for 10 years and this is the first time we've seen rodents
nicking the birdfeed. Weird because its a very mild winter, so its not as if
they are starving !

Jenny, I've come rather late into this thread, but we have recently
discovered a special bird feeder for fat balls which might help. It's
a bit like a metal peanut feeder but with bigger holes. It takes 3
fat balls at a time if you want, and although we don't have a rodent
problem here (several cats),

We have a cat. he just sits indoors and watches the birds feeding :~)


we do have opportunistic squirrels and
magpies. It is also very important to hang the feeder (or just the fat
ball if you can't get a feeder) on a thin wire so that the rat(s)
can't climb up it.

For the moment I have re-hung the balls on very thin branches. The birds and the
mouse don't seem to ahve a problem, but I think the rat will find it too
'wobbly' if he tries to descend the stirng.... :~)


If you can't find such a feeder in Rotterdam,
perhaps on your next visit to the UK?
Sally in Shropshire, UK
bed and breakfast near Ludlow: http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk
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Indeed, and I see you might know a good B&B to stay at :~))
Jenny