Please, suggestions on how to eliminate the rats under the

feeders without endangering the birds. . . .


I also used a 5 gal. bucket but I used it in real time. I put about 6
inches of water in the bottom of a 5 or 6 gal. bucket then rigged a
teeter totter so it would dump/tip into the water. I then hung a chunk
of bacon near the far side of the bucket. The teeter totter (how do you
spell that?) was placed such that when a rat or mouse tried to get the
bacon it ended up on the slippery slope and took the long swim. I went
through some trial and error but it really worked well.

If you try this I suggest you put enough water in the bucket that the
critter can't jump out and locate the teeter totter such that it is the
only path to the bait. I also tossed out a few pieces of bacon so the
rats would get the taste then I smeared bacon along a path to the teeter
totter. Use something slippery like aluminum for the teeter totter so
they can't jump as it starts to tip. As for the squirrels, well, they
might also learn how to swim unless you can come up with some bait they
don't like but will attract the rats. More trial and error.

Doug Hudson
Bremerton, WA