Old man winter is just around the corner and this is the time of year that people begin putting away summer furniture and cleaning up their yards in preparation for the coming season. As you set out to get your yard ready for winter, don’t forget our wildlife friends who will be spending the wintertime out in the elements. Here is how you can turn your yard into a wonderland for wildlife this winter.
While we as people have the opportunity to stay warm and cozy inside our homes, with the pantry stocked nice and full, our animal friends aren’t so fortunate. Wintertime is a tough time for wildlife. Although many people feel that wild animals should be left to fend for themselves over the winter, I don’t concur.
Don’t Tidy Up Your Yard Too Much
It sometimes seems like a race in the late fall to see if you can get your grass cut, and gardens cleaned up before the first snowfall. While a neat and tidy yard looks great to all the neighbors, this isn’t the ideal habitat for wildlife. Many helpful insects spend the winter snoozing in various states (either adult, pupae or egg) in the dirt of your garden or grass. Not pruning and cleaning up your garden gives these insects a headstart in the spring. That includes leaving your grass on the long side as you go into winter.
Making Wildlife Habitats
Animals will use trees, especially pine trees to protect themselves from the elements. This goes for fallen limbs and bark as well. Many amphibians will use the moist soil on the underside of fallen limbs to hanker down for the winter. Leaves and leaf piles also provide shelter for small invertebrates and later provide food for birds. (Bonus: leaves and tree limbs, once they decompose, make great fertilizer for your lawn.)
Putting up a few birdhouses in your yard will provide feathered friends with a place to get out of the weather. If you do decide to clean up your yard, try creating a brush pile somewhere out of the way, that has woods and brush for small mammals to find protection and shelter from predators.
Helping Animals Find Food
One of the things animals struggle with most in the winter is finding food. Bird feeders tend to feed more than just birds, so if you don’t mind the occasional squirrel, many critters can benefit from your generosity. There are other ways that you give them food, such as covering pinecones in peanut butter and rolling them in birdseed. Farming supply stores often stock not just a wide variety of bird seed and other items such as dry corn cobs, which will feed certain mammals like deer, and squirrels.
I know it can be frustrating when the deer or rabbits decide that your favorite bush looks a delicious treat and start eating it. However, while the grass is covered with snow, they have to make do with what food they can find. This includes the plants in your garden. Take solace in that your garden is keeping them alive, and your plants will grow back, many times stronger than before.
There are lots of fun bird feeder crafts that you can make with your kids using recycled leftover materials. We have 5 examples of fun and creative bird feeders that kids will love to make.
Don’t Use Poison To Get Rid Of Pests
If you live in the country, mice sneaking into your home (amongst other critters) is just part of life. However, putting out poison traps affects more than just the rodent population. It has far-reaching consequences for the wildlife in your yard and surrounding areas with secondary poisoning. If you want to rid your home of pests, use mouse traps or even better try to discourage them from entering your domain in the first place by placing deterrents around your home.
- Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil
- Purchase mouse deterrent spray (Lowe’s or any farm supply store such as Tractor Supply)
- Dryer sheets
- Irish Spring Soap (you can cut the bar up and place it in drawers or other places you want to keep the mice out of.)
Do you have other ways that you help wildlife in the wintertime? We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.