Rats DO indeed jump, the feeders need to be 5 feet away to keep them from
jumping; not straight up, but at an angle.
What you do have sounds like a roof rat, and getting a baffle would be the
quickest remedy. Depending on the size of the pole and ability to remove the
hooks, would determine what kind you would need. They can easily shimmy up
poles, so if the bush is not the source, most certainly the pole would be.
If you did grease the pole, many of my customers have used something much
heavier, like ball bearing grease, but I hardly think that good for the
enviroment.
good luck,
Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake Wa.
vickibiltz at msn.com

Dear God, please help me be the kind of person my dog thinks I am!