Another thing to consider is that bird seed can attract rats and mice, just
like leftovers and food on the compost pile. Keeping seed from piling up
under feeders is one good way of keeping the critters away. Don't laugh,
but I bought a wet-dry vac just to vacuum up the seed out of the grass.
Living out near farmlands makes my yard a prime rodent feeding ground. But
those rascals are anywhere and everywhere. And the newer generation
rodenticides are good. That's what I used to get rid of my little pests.

Patti Brent
Monroe, WA.
p.brent at worldnet.att.net