10 Tips to Attract Wildlife to Your Garden

You’d love to see a deer stroll through your yard, or maybe even a few chipmunks. But how can you attract wildlife and birds to your yard?

Seeing wildlife happy and healthy in their natural habitat is a fantastic feeling. If you’re hoping to bring some wildlife into your yard, it helps to know more about gardening and how you can use it to make your home more desirable to curious critters.

Want to learn more? Here are ten tips you can use to attract more wildlife to your garden.

1. Leave Out Fresh Water

Providing a source of water is one of the easiest ways to help birds and wildlife come into your garden. Wildlife always needs fresh, clean water, especially in the summer or times of drought.

Once animals learn that your garden is a safe place where they can come and drink, it’s likely that they’ll keep returning, providing plenty of viewing opportunities.

You could add a pond, birdbath, or even just a container with water that both large and small creatures can access.

2. Hang Up Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are affordable and can even be a fun DIY project to build. Plus, they’re a great way to attract beautiful birds to your garden.

Birds such as cardinals, blue jays, and doves are sure to appreciate the food provided for them. Just be sure to purchase healthy, natural bird foods that are safe for them to eat.

You can even try installing a hummingbird feeder—they’re so much fun to watch!

3. Don’t Use Chemicals in Your Yard

Pesticides and chemicals are no friend to wildlife, so don’t use them on your lawn or plants. Wildlife such as hedgehogs or birds can accidentally consume them, making them sick.

If you have a healthy yard, birds and wildlife will help reduce pests and insects.

Instead, try to only use organic soils and materials when it comes to lawn maintenance.

4. Compost

Have you tried composting? It’s not only a great way to reduce your weekly amount of trash and help the environment, but it also helps bring wildlife in.

A compost pile gives you better quality soil, which helps bring butterflies, insects, and animals into your yard.

It’s easy to make your own compost pile, with most organic materials able to be added in. However, it’s best to avoid adding meat, dairy, animal droppings, or charcoal.

5. Build Nesting Boxes

If you want wildlife to fly at home in your garden, it helps to give them a home! Birds and wildlife always need places to nest and sleep safely, especially in the breeding season, so you may want to build nesting boxes where animals can make themselves a den.

For the birds, birdhouses such as Nature Niche bird houses are a great option. You may want to place several birdhouses throughout your yard—hopefully, several families will move in.

6. Plant Native Flowers

When it comes to gardening, it’s always best to plant shrubs, trees, and native plants that are found locally in your habitat. The reason for this is because wildlife naturally eats these plants as part of their diet.

Native plants are also fantastic for attracting honey bees, which are constantly at risk of losing their habitats.

Locally flowers and plants also look beautiful in the spring, in full bloom. Plus, they will thrive and grow in no time at all, since they’re in their desired climate.

7. Build a Log Pile

If you have a fireplace or woodstove, you’re likely to keep logs outside your home. You may want to try piling up a few logs, as these can be ideal habitats for small animals.

Little mammals, insects, and amphibians will be attracted to the log piles. However, sometimes spiders can also be found in these areas, so it’s best to create a separate pile of logs for your animals and a separate pile for daily firewood.

8. Plant Trees

Does your garden have plenty of trees? If not, think about planting some.

They give your yard cooling shade, help the environment, and also attract plenty of birds and wildlife. Trees are often home to squirrels, owls, and plenty of birds like finches and sparrows.

When you first plant your trees, they’re likely to be small—but even small trees are sure to attract birds. Plus, they’ll grow over time!

9. Set Up a Bird Bath

Does your garden have a birdbath? Birds love to clean themselves, splash and play, and drink, so a beautiful birdbath can be a focal point for your backyard garden.

Be sure to place it so you can clearly see it from your kitchen or living room, so you can watch the birds from your window. Birds will visit a birdbath year-round, so you can enjoy plenty of bird watching opportunities.

10. Try Out Hidden Surveillance Cameras

Another cool way to learn more about the wildlife in your garden is by purchasing one or two hidden surveillance cameras, especially if they have night vision.

You can turn the cameras on, which are tiny and won’t be noticed by the animals. Then, the next day, watch your footage to see which animals were exploring your yard during the night.

It’s a fun way to feel like you’re living in a nature documentary!

Start Attracting Wildlife to Your Yard

Are you ready to welcome more wildlife to your yard? If so, get started by using the tips above to transform your garden into a beautiful oasis for wildlife.

While it’s amazing to watch animals and birds in your yard, always remember that they’re wild animals and you need to keep a safe distance. But it’s ok to take plenty of photos and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Was this helpful? If so, please read on for more great ideas for your home and yard.