If you love animals, then it's very possible you try your hardest to help out your outdoor friends, as well. While you're not obligated to provide a fun space for birds, squirrels, and maybe even skunks, it is often nice to see them enjoying your property in a non-disastrous way.
The home I'm in now has a sunroom, and the owner prior to us was also a big fan of birds. She had a wooden plank out on the deck, which is where birds and squirrels helped themselves to seed. While she said that I obviously wasn't on the hook for continuing the tradition, she said it'd be nice. And I agreed.
For my whole life, I've enjoyed birds — but never to a level to make it an official hobby. By making a point to go outside with some birdseed every day, I feel more attached to the property itself. It's been fun hearing the birds chatter when I'm outdoors.
By helping ensure the birds and squirrels are well fed, I feel like I'm more in tune with nature. Here are eight great methods you can try to help these magnificent creatures thrive.
1. Build Your Own Bird Feeder
There's still absolutely nothing wrong with the old-fashioned pine cone bird feeder. It's also a great craft for kids to enjoy. After spreading peanut butter over a pine cone and rolling it in some birdseed, you can hang your feeder from a tree. If you're not hoping to attract birds directly to your porch, this is a great way to have them keep a distance.
That said, it'd be great if you hung the pine cone from an area of the tree that you and your kids could easily monitor from the house. Turn it into a science lesson, and try to identify which birds stop by.
2. Make a Fruit Plate for a Squirrel
Are you one of the many of us who buy fresh fruit on Monday, just to see it slowly deteriorate throughout the week? It's noble to want to buy fresh and healthy produce. But due to busy or stressful schedules, sometimes the chips just get eaten first.
Here's some good news — your backyard squirrels may enjoy what you'll probably, eventually, throw away. It's not cool to put out moldy fruit, but if you know you won't get to eat something you bought, it could be a good way for it not to go to waste.
According to Own the Yard, the best fruits to feed squirrels include cantaloupes, apples, strawberries, and watermelon. They also eat veggies, like broccoli and peas. Fair warning — if you have a backyard where you plan on growing vegetables in the springtime, you may want to back off that idea as to not encourage them to gobble your produce.
3. Plant More Trees That Attract Birds
There are plenty of great reasons why you should plant more trees. Without trees, the world would be a much different, much less healthy place. The fact that they serve as the natural homes for many wildlife animals makes them even more vital.
All About Birds states that some of the best trees to plant for birds to use include mulberry trees, which also provide fruit and tend to attract cardinals and robins, and flowering dogwoods, which also contain berries and are gorgeous to view. Trees are a good way to provide natural shade and a little bit of color to your property.
4. Consider Planting a Butterfly Garden
There has been a shocking decline in monarch butterflies in recent years. While they're not endangered or extinct, the decline may lead them to be officially listed as such. Not only will a butterfly garden help to bring a little bit of joy into your backyard, but it'll help attract and feed butterflies in your neighborhood.
This video will help guide you to which plants are best to get started with.
5. Build, or Purchase, a Bat House
This might seem a little scary, but bats exist. And they happen to be losing a lot of their natural habitats. By offering up a bat house, you're providing them a secure place to live. And they'll repay you in a bunch of ways. For one, they'll be less likely to crash in your attic for shelter. But secondly, they're also not so bad for your garden. Not only do they pollinate plants (yes, bats are known pollinators), but they can scare away any smaller predators.
If you're not super handy, Amazon sells a couple good and inexpensive models.
6. Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden
Nobody likes it when a dragonfly gets right in their face, but they're excellent to have in your backyard. And that's mainly because of their diet. Dragonflies often feast on mosquitos, flies, and all of the other bugs you don't want near your house.
Adding wispy water plants may be a good way to bring more in. Remember, the more beneficial animals and critters you host, the happier they'll be.
7. Keep a Nonplastic Bowl of Water out for Squirrels
While some people do choose to keep squirrels as indoor pets, it's not advised. The best way to admire squirrels is from a distance. That said, you can make their experience better by leaving out a bowl of water. Just make sure to change the water daily.
Putting it in a plastic container may ruin the container and be unsafe for squirrels in case any chewing happens.
8. Avoid Using Insecticides or Poisons on Your Outdoor Plants
This should be pretty common knowledge. Even though insecticides have their purpose, they can do a number on the wildlife living around your property. Try to find ways to manage pests on plants that doesn't end up killing the other bugs that birds may use for meals.
By avoiding these chemicals, you're also making your outdoors a little safer for animals who are choosing to live in your backyard.
