How to Attract More Wildlife to Your Garden

With over 900 species of birds to see in North America, is it any wonder some of them may end up in your back yard? Watching birds and other wildlife roam and explore your garden can be an incredible, exhilarating, and relaxing experience, and can even reduce your stress levels. So, what can you do to encourage more wildlife into your garden but still protect your freshly grown vegetable patch?

Avoid Pesticides

Approximately 67 million birds are thought to die every year in America due to the use of garden pesticides, some causing direct health effects such as suppressed immune systems and trouble migrating. Some pesticides are indirectly unfriendly to birds as they kill off the insects they eat or are ingested by fish and other small animals that birds may ingest. Avoid toxic chemicals and stick to organic grown vegetables and plants to encourage more wildlife into your yard.

Water Features

Did you know that a water feature can be practical as well as decorative? Birds are attracted to water, so adding a fountain will encourage more feathered friends into your yard. A water bath will allow birds and small animals to wash, drink and socialize with other animals. It can also be used as a water source for your sprouting seeds. Why not add a pond to encourage larger animals in to quench their thirst on their travels? You could also add some exotic fish to make another feature for guests.

Feeding Wildlife

To avoid wildlife being attracted to your vegetable garden, set out appropriate amounts of feed every day using a bird feeder. It is estimated that outdoor cats kill as many as 3.7 billion birds in the US every year, so it is important that your garden is a safe place for the visiting wildlife. Your cat may attack birds and other small animals so ensure the feed is in a safe position at a height that your pet can’t reach. A feeder can also act as a shelter for visiting birds making it safer for them to keep returning.

Some simple modifications and additions to your garden can make it a haven for a variety of wildlife and birds. Ensure you protect your plants by placing them in a safe position away from the areas of your garden that are most likely to attract wildlife.