While you might love your backyard bird feeder, most Burke homeowners are noticing a little side effect that is not so welcome. In places with bird feeders, rats, and mice have been frequent visitors these days. This rising apprehension spreads to many communities throughout Burke, with some residents claiming they are witnessing amplified rodent activity in close proximity to their patios and decks. Scattered seeds and plentiful food all around provide ideal breeding grounds for these uninvited guests.
Many families enjoy bird feeding, but this lovely pastime can unknowingly empty a rat highway onto your doorstep. Littered seeds, available foods, and urban environments like Burke are optimal habitats for mice and rats to breed. If you find that you have an ongoing issue with rodents around your feeders, you may want to reach out to your local pest control professionals to get the best advice. Get rid of pests fast in Burke with the help of an expert today!
How Fallen Birdseed Attracts Rodents?
According to research, one bird feeder can lose nearly half of its contents every day to the ground, creating an unlimited source of food for rodents. That dispersed seed is a dinner bell for rats and mice, who can smell dinner from afar. By some accounts, rodents can sense birdseed from as far away as 300 feet, which means that your feeder could become a shining beacon for unwanted guests.
The sunflower seeds and nuts found in many birdseed mixes are a great source of fat and, hence, a more than adequate nutrient source for reproducing rodents. Under optimal food availability, female rats can have up to 12 litters per year – so your good intention to feed birds can actually sustain fast reproduction. The mild climate of Burke enables rodents to stay active for most of the year, as opposed to colder areas where winter decreases their populations naturally.
Seasonal Patterns in Rodent Activity Around Feeders
- Spring Breeding Season
Spring is also the start of the prime rodent breeding season here in Burke. With warmer temperatures in March and April, rats and mice are more active at the bird feeders. This is a matching nesting season when many rodents require additional nutrition to reproduce. This is the time of the year when homeowners often find more droppings and chewing damage.
- Summer Peak Activity
Rodent activity around Burke bird feeders peaks during the summer months. Warm weather conditions encourage rodents to forage considerably, in many cases throughout the day. Animals born in spring become adults and enter the feeding frenzy. Many locals also say that they observe rats in the evening when they replenish their feeders.
- Fall Preparation Period
Rodents frantically feed in October and November in preparation for winter. With Burke’s moderate fall season, this preparation window is longer than in northern climates. Fall is a crucial time for prevention efforts, as rodents are aggrandizing their seed caches and laying on fat stores.
- Winter Sustained Activity
Burke said its winters are mild enough that many rodents do not die out. Winter months are particularly enticing to birds at a feeder when natural food sources are less abundant. Snow and rain can cause the rodents to want to take refuge in strong and reliable sources of food, such as your backyard feeder.
Do You Really Need Pest Control?
Pest control professionals know the patterns that rodents have, and most importantly, they can spot how rodents are getting into the house without you noticing. Green Pest Services offers humane, effective rodent control in Burke, tailored to Burke’s unique suburban landscape. They provide holistic solutions that tackle the underlying issues but enable you to enjoy your love for feeding birds. Investing in professional help frees up long-term finances that would have been spent on property damage and the health effects of a rodent infestation.
