Can I put a bird feeder on a NYC fire escape without attracting rats?

Birds will sometimes visit my fire escape, but only briefly. There is no place for me to hang a bird feeder that an enterprising rat couldn't get to. Is there something that rats won't eat (ha!) that birds like? Is there a design that will foil rats? Thanks!Can I put a bird feeder on a NYC fire escape without attracting rats?
Try mixing your bird seed with Capsicum pepper powder. It doesn't bother the birds as they can't taste it, but squirrels hate it and I presume rats would too. Just be aware that it is a ';learned'; aversion i.e. the rodents will eat away at it at first, but once they start to feel the effects, they will soon stop visiting your feeder. A word of warning though: be careful handling the pepper and make sure you don't get any in your eyes and wash up promptly after using it!Can I put a bird feeder on a NYC fire escape without attracting rats?
I think they make vermin proof bird feeders now!
There are quite a few squirrel proof bird feeders that should work against rats. however some can get expensive. if you would like to try a conventional feeder, then try coating the poles or bars of the fire escape close to the feeder with a Crisco type shortening. this way when the rats try to climb to the feeder they will slip and fall off. many squirrels are known to jump over this however. being from the inter-mountain west, I don't have any experience with rats, so I am not sure of their jumping capability.





As for squirrel proof feeders, I like the Droll Yankee Brand. They are available at most specialty bird feeding stores, and on-line as well. The Yankee Flipper is my personal favorite. check out the demo video on Droll Yankee's website.





As for seed type selection, there really isn't one specific type of seed that rats wouldn't eat. Sorry. But for your birds.I have found that Black Oil Sunflower is a favorite all across the U.S. Attracting many different types of birds. Shelled Sunflower kernels are their chocolate. High amounts of protein with out the added energy of having to crack the shells open. Ask your local wild bird store (not a pet store!) what the best seed choice for your specific area would be. They will undoubtedly try to sell you a million dollar ';New York City Mix.'; But you can usually get away with a bag of Black oil sunflower.





Hope this information was helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you have anymore questions.
I live in Texas but have also lived in Missour,Arkansas,


Kentucky and Indiana and the only problems I encountered with feeding birds was having squirrels invade the feeders. . . . the thought of a filthy rat invading a feeder just gives me goose bumps. However do you live in a city with rats?





There are ';squirrel proof'; feeders that are suppose to keep squirrels out of bird feeders and I don't know why they wouldn't work for keeping rats out.





Check at some major hardware store and see if they have any. Otherwise I would go online to find one.





Good Luck
yes
there are squirrel proof covers for bird feeders, try that and just in case, watch the feeder and aim the bb(or paintball) gun to scare the rats. let'er rip.