I don't agree that bird feeders compete with nature....it brings the birds to a location where you want them so that you can enjoy them.
I had feeders in Atlanta and was swamped by squirrels until I put up squirrel proff feeders....mine had tops shapped like coolie hats that the squirrells could not hang onto. My area of TV is too new for squirrels, so no problem here. There are not a lot of squirrels in the newer Villages S of 466 which is probably due to the lack of foliage, which love for nesting and safety.
Never had problems with rodents feeding on spilled seeds under the feeders; however, I did have mice invade the seed bags in the garage, so keep the seeds in a sealed plastic container such storage cartons you can buy at the hardware store.
Snakes?????, everyone reports having seen snakes around TV and they are invariably water moccasins......I have never seen a live snake in TV, but I know they are there. They must want to keep to themselves. So, no problem here.
Insofar as humming birds are concerned....I have put out a couple feeders for them with no success. That is probably due to the fact that I am not located near one of their flyways and I am unable to attract them. I have seen them in TV, tho.