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 Attracting
the good wildlife
In “Attracting Winter Wildlife: Don’t Let the Cold Weather Keep the
Critters Away” Nikki Thomas shares some ways to attract wildlife by
providing them with shelter and food.
A yard with trees and shrubs can provide both food and shelter for
wildlife. Thomas says, “one example is the red cedar, a juniper that
provides food and a protective shelter for many kinds of birds.
Hackberry…is dined on by about 50 species of birds, including
roadrunners and titmice. Cedar waxwings and fox sparrows are among
the birds to feast on the berries of Hawthorn trees in the
wintertime.”
Other types of trees can provide nuts and acorns for a variety of
wildlife.
The twigs and branches from trees can be piled up and made into a
shelter for wildlife.
As Thomas says, “By taking reasonable steps to create
a more natural environment focused on attracting winter wildlife,
people can contribute organically to the health of the soil, water
and air in local neighborhoods and regional communities.”
The Total Pond Blog shares ways for those who have ponds to create a
winter sanctuary for wildlife.
Making shelters and habitats is one way to help wildlife survive in
the winter. As the blog says, “Areas of longer grass, overgrown
corners or piles of wood or stones, can offer vital protection for
many creatures.” Piles of rock with leaves around them also provide
shelter. Additionally, “a compost heap, or log pile in your garden
can provide a perfect winter refuge for amphibians.”
Planting shrubbery such as white spruce, balsam fir, evergreen
shrubs can provide winter shelter. Holly and rose bushes can provide
food for both birds and deer.
Make sure drinking water is available and accessible to wildlife.
Aerators and pond-heating units can keep the pond from freezing.
Hang a bird feeder or set out shallow food dishes to provide
wildlife with food.
The Total Pond Blog says, “Following these guidelines will attract a
variety of wildlife to your own backyard. You will not only be able
to view and observe new and beautiful types of life but also be
providing safety, food, and shelter.”
Repelling bad wildlife
Though you may want to attract certain wildlife, there is other
wildlife you will want to keep away from your property.
An article on ways to keep critters aways from your home provides
several helpful tips.
For example, when trying to repel bad wildlife, fences can be one of
the most useful ways to keep them away. However, since installing
fences can be costly, that may not be a feasible solution.
Cleaning up food in your yard or on your patio as soon as you are
done eating will help keep mice and other critters away.
Buying safe animal repellents and sprinkling, spraying or placing
them around your property or house is another way to keep problem
wildlife away.
Use wind chimes or noisy lawn ornaments to scare animals away.
Make sure you are keeping your yard clean. As the article on keeping
critters away says, “Creatures often burrow or hide in piles of
wood, overgrown weeds, or accumulated debris where they can nest,
hole, and ultimately make into living spaces.” When you clean your
yard, you are more likely to keep bad wildlife away.
Though bird feeders can attract birds, they can also attract
squirrels and mice. In these cases, it is better not to use a bird
feeder.
Find holes in your siding or attic where mice and other rodents can
access your home and seal those holes.
Make natural repellents such as dehydrated garlic, garlic water or
hot pepper sauce combined with water and dish soap.
The Illinois Extension offers other helpful tips for repelling
wildlife.
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For instance, since fencing may be expensive,
Extension Energy and Environment Educator Duane Friend says,
“Placing a 5-foot tall wire cylinder around a plant can protect
individual trees or plants. Tree protectors, plastic tree wrap, or
woven wire cylinders can all help protect new plantings.”
Additionally, Friend says, "Three 6-foot t-bar steel posts placed in
an equilateral triangle around a tree can also be fairly effective,
even without fencing."
Use fright techniques to scare critters away. These include “gas
exploders (for use in rural areas), aluminum pie plates that bang
together in the wind, scarecrows, lights, lanterns, radios, motion
sensors for radio or light devices, and leashed dogs.”
Make sure to select plants less susceptible to deer. The extension
says these species include “ornamental alliums, daffodils, and wild
ginger, or plant thorny, prickly, or smelly plants.”
Whether you want to repel or attract wildlife, Farm and Home Supply
in Lincoln has useful products.
Farm and Home Supply Manager Rick Wilson said Repel
and Liquid Fence both contain cloves and garlic oil. These burn the
animal’s noses to keep them away but are harmless to plants and
animals.
These products both have common household spices in their ingredient
list. Another product containing a household spice is Critter Ridder.
Wilson said black pepper is an ingredient in that product.
If you want to repel mice, Wilson said The Giant Destroyer:
Peppermint rodent clips is useful. Pest Eraser Rodent Repeller is
also utilized for keeping mice away.
As for products that attract wildlife, Wilson said the store has
bird feeders, bird houses and hummingbird feeders. Because
hummingbirds are attracted to red plants and feeders, hummingbird
feeders are usually red.
Wilson said the store sells tons of peanuts for people to put out
for squirrels in colder weather.
For attracting deer, Farm and Home Supply sells six or seven
varieties of seed plots.
It is important to be prepared, whether you are planning to attract
or repel wildlife.
Sources:
Hisaka, Mizuki. “8 Ways to Keep Unwanted Animals Out of your Yard.”
28 Nov. 2022.
https://www.angi.com/articles/5-ways-keep-critters-away-your-home.htm
Illinois Extension. “Keep deer away from your plants this fall.” 5
Oct. 2020.
https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/keep-deer-away-your-plants-fall
Total Pond. “Creating a winter sanctuary for wildlife.” 2023.
https://totalpond.com/blogs/water-gardening/creating-a-winter-sanctuary-for-wildlife
Thomas, Nikki. Attracting Winter Wildlife: Don’t Let the Cold
Weather Keep the Critters Away. 30 Nov. 2016.
https://backyardville.com/attracting-winter-wildlife-dont-let-cold-weather-keep-critters-away/
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