idiot birds ....

put it out of sight from the birds ... under a lawn chair.. a patio table.. etc ...

most likely.. they see it .. they are not being attracted.. at height and distance.. by the smell of your lure.. one might think ...

ken

This is an old post but someone may still read it looking for an answer. This isn't a difficult problem. Just use small branches 1/4 inch diameter or smaller and 4 - 5 inches longer than the width of the trap. You're probably getting the picture by now. I run them across behind where the trap door closes blocking the birds from the bait. The birds can't figure out how to get through but squirrels sometimes chew through but usually I've found the branches on the ground and the squirrel trapped inside. Just be sure the branches aren't too strong and don't block the trap door from shutting.

It's a good idea, I'll try it when the birds come back. Do you have a way to keep rats out but let squirrels in?

What's wrong with catching and killing rats? They eat your fruit and vegetables too.

I catch rats all the time, but usually indoors and with snap traps. Unless I'm losing a lot of fruit (mainly citrus), when they get in the Hav-a-Hearts I give them a free ride to the furthest edge of the property and let them out. They're smart creatures, at least compared to squirrels, and as long as there's no disease around I've leave them outdoors to be owl food. But they can be annoying sometimes by constantly triggering the Hav-a-Hearts The only solution I've heard of is to bait the Hav-a-Heart with black walnuts (in the shell), apparently birds like them and rats don't. I'm still looking for a source around here (Los Angeles area).