Science has proven that spending time in nature is a huge boost to our physical, emotional, and mental health.
Of course, it’s not always possible to spend a day on the beach or go for a hike in the mountains. For those times when you simply can’t get away, why not bring nature to your backyard instead?
Would you love to look out your window and see garden animals scampering around? What type of garden wildlife should you attract, and how can you do it?
Here are five tips that will help you attract wildlife to your backyard.
Set up a Bird Feeder
The most obvious way to attract garden wildlife is by tempting them with food.
Hang a bird feeder and fill it with birdseed, nectar, or other goodies, depending on the birds you hope to attract. Bird feeders don’t just attract birds — chipmunks, squirrels, and other small critters love them too.
Important note: If you live in a region with bears, you may want to wait until summertime to hang your bird feeders. Otherwise, a hungry bear fresh out of hibernation could lumber through your backyard!
Offer Shelter to Garden Animals
If you’re wondering how to attract squirrels to your backyard, think about providing natural (or man-made) shelters. You might consider:
- Birdhouses
- Nesting boxes
- Rock walls
- Dense bushes or shrubs
- Tall grasses
The more safe places animals can find to nestle and hide, the more likely they are to spend time in your backyard!
Plant Native Sources of Food
If you’re revamping your landscaping or gardening efforts, why not include attractive native food sources in your plans?
You could plant berry bushes to feed birds through the autumn and winter months. Or you could plant a garden with flowers that naturally attract butterflies. And don’t forget about woody plants that produce nuts, fruit, or blossoms year-round.
It may take some research if you’re hoping to attract a particular species. For example, caterpillars that become Monarch butterflies eat only one thing: milkweed.
Offer a Clean Water Source
All animals need a clean, reliable water source for drinking and bathing. Make your backyard garden more attractive by setting up a permanent water source for wildlife to use.
Standard options include a birdbath or a fountain, preferably with a lip to make perching easier. If space is limited, you can accomplish the same thing with a shallow pie pan on the ground.
Add Evergreen Trees to Your Garden
Many types of wildlife love evergreen trees.
They provide year-round protection from predators. They’re an ideal location for critters that nest during the springtime. The cones, sap, seeds, and buds also provide food for birds, rodents, and small mammals.
Bonus: They look amazing too, making an attractive addition to any garden or yard.
Enjoy Garden Wildlife in Your Backyard
As you can see, there are a number of wildlife attractants you can use to draw those cute creatures closer. Use the tips listed above to attract wildlife to your backyard and enjoy getting closer to nature!
Garden wildlife isn’t the only topic on the table today. Keep browsing our site for more interesting articles on home, health, pets, and much more.