I had a similar situation with rats and gave up feeding the birds altogether and put in  bird bath - one is ground level so maybe not so good for you -- but there are quite clever above one with tinkling fountains.  With a heater I can keep it going all winter and I have discovered I have as many species I had when feeding (actually more, PHil. vireo and worm-eating warbler) just not the numbers of birds.  Try it, you'll like it.  
Judy
s
-----Original Message-----
From: Mic <>
Sent: Feb 25, 2005 5:07 AM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] neighborhood and yard rats

Our neighborhood seems to have a rat problem, one I wasn't aware of until 
recently when some have come out of the sewer behind my house to feed on 
some seed that has dropped from the ground.  I have been feeding the birds 
here over 6 years and it was never a problem before.  We are now dealing 
with the county Environmental Agency to "help" us figure out their main 
source of food.  The person at the agency stated that I would need to stop 
feeding the birds at least for now.  ::((  I am very distraught over this. 
I want to feed the birds but can't have the rats because I have an at home 
family daycare and can't even let the kids out to play because of
them.  The rats are here all times of the day, not just at night.  If anyone 
has an ideas of certain feeders to prevent spillage of seeds or seeds that 
don't leave a mess please forward that info as I am open for all suggestions 
at present.

Michelle Dunn
Catonsville, MD