How to keep rats out of a feeder

[SanPatHogger]

I have a Moultrie bucket feeder. It hangs from a tree branch with a few wraps of paracord and a carabiner. Been working great since about October or so when I put it up. About 2 weeks ago the rats figured out what was going on and chewed a hole in the lid. Replaced the lid, but didn't do anything about the rats. Lid was chewed through today again. These are screw on lids, so the damned things have cost me about $20 now.
I have been thinking about putting poison on top of it. Also was told if I put grease on the paracord that would keep them away too.
Anybody have similar experiences? Solutions?
Went out with the .22 a couple times but have only seen them when I have a 243 or buckshot on me.

This is what I have.

Edit:
I tried to smack the rat in the last picture with a hammer. But its hard to get a good swing sideways in a bucket. Hit him in the head 3 times but he managed to jump out and get away. I could have shot him but don't need a hole in my bucket.

 

[RTH1800]

Kill with .22 birdshot in bucket.
trap or poison on lid.

 

[uffduh]

Epoxy a sheet of tin on top of the lid? Trap gets only as many traps as you have on top. Poison can be knocked off. .22 birdshot in the bucket, they'll have already ruined the lid.

Not trying to shit on Art's reply, just thinking of other ideas.

 

[KZP]

I'd try the grease method first. Or if you want to spend a little money try ordering some bird gel. Supposed to be very annoying to animals when they come in contact.

 

[Ravenworks]

Epoxy a sheet of tin on top of the lid? Trap gets only as many traps as you have on top. Poison can be knocked off. .22 birdshot in the bucket, they'll have already ruined the lid.

Not trying to shit on Art's reply, just thinking of other ideas.

Use that tin top to electrocute the bastards.
OR
Glue trap them then SHOOT THEM.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

What about some type of metal lid? An 1/8" thick piece of steel on the top should do it.

 

[atepointer]

I used to have a couple of barrel type feeders with that same Moultrie motor on it.....squirrels and coons couldn't chew through the lid. If you can find any of the smaller food storage barrels they are bombers. Even turned a couple into hog roll barrels and those dinosaurs couldn't even tear them open.

This is the exact size barrel I had tore handles off and used eye bolts and chain with a cheap Harbor Freight wench on a tree.....took about 80 lbs of whole corn. It will last season after season and one of mine is still being used by a buddy on a hunting lease years later....great little motor super simple, quiet as a mouse and batts last forever.

 

[MtnCreek]

Used to hang pork to cure from wire. Supposedly a rat can't climb down a wire.

If you poison, I'd turn the feeder off and place the poison in the empty feeder. I think the common rat poisons stay active in the dead rat and will poison whatever eats it. May or may not matter in your situation.

 

[DrBoz]

Might try taking the parts off of the plastic bucket and putting them on a metal one.