Killing rats by the bird feeder

[Conndog]

Have a birdfeeder above a wooden deck, there is a family of rats darting in and out, family seems to be growing in numbers. How to kill them/get rid of them? I had an old fashioned rat trap where the bar slams down, but it only killed a cardinal and I threw it out. I don't own a gun, but should I get a BB gun and try shooting them? I don't want to try poison. I did get a Have a Heart trap but they left it alone. Any other ideas?

PS- Not happy with UConn's loss to Xavier today, we can play better

 

[temery]

Shoot them outside. Trap them inside.

Plan B: Give your neighbors a bird feeder and a bag of seed. Stop feeding at your house. Rats move next door.

Likely won't work for bigger rats, but this thing works.