It’s springtime, so the weather is warming up—and the wildlife is coming to play in your backyard!
Birds are the most common backyard visitors, with raccoons coming in second. Squirrels and chipmunks are close behind, and finally, bats rank as the least typical backyard visitor. While there’s nothing wrong with more of these wild visitors, they might spread diseases to your family, pets, or even to you. They can also eat through your garden, ruin your lawn, and carry off your belongings. So why are you getting more wildlife in your backyard?
Whether you’re seeing more rabbits, squirrels, birds, or even the occasional deer, there are a few reasons why you may be experiencing an uptick in backyard visitors. Here are five of the most common causes.
1. There’s Less Human Traffic
With more people staying home due to the pandemic, neighborhoods and parks have less foot traffic. Fewer people visiting parks means more opportunities for wildlife to venture into areas they wouldn’t usually go.
Plus, with less human traffic comes less noise. Human noises can deter wildlife, so with the quieter streets, animals feel more comfortable coming out during the daytime. Try playing music or watching television to make more noise and keep wildlife away. That way, you can enjoy your backyard in peace.
2. You’re Planting More
If you’ve been using this time at home to start a garden, you may have also noticed an increase in wildlife. Many animals are attracted to fruits, vegetables, and seeds. So, if you’re growing tomatoes, chances are you’re also going to attract some hungry critters looking for a tasty snack.
Instead of using harmful pesticides, there are a few natural ways to keep animals out of your garden. Try planting garlic, onions, or chili peppers around the perimeter of your garden. You can also put up a fence or netting to keep animals out. Just check the mesh netting regularly, so animals don’t become trapped.
3. You Have a Birdfeeder or a Water Source
Birdfeeders are one of the surefire ways to attract feathered friends to your backyard. In fact, according to The Spruce, different bird species prefer different types of seed. So if you want to attract a specific bird, you can tailor your birdfeeder accordingly. Just be aware that a birdfeeder will attract rats and other rodents looking for an easy meal.
A water source can also bring wildlife to your backyard. If you have a pond or fountain in your backyard, that’s another reason you might be seeing more animals around. That’s because many animals need water to drink and bathe, so they’re naturally drawn to areas where they can find it. Unfortunately, that also means you could end up with mosquitoes breeding in your water feature, so it’s essential to keep it clean and properly maintained.
4. Your Trees Might Need Trimming
Trees are another reason you might be seeing more wildlife in your backyard. That’s because they provide food and shelter for many animals. For example, if you have fruit trees, you’re likely to attract animals like raccoons, opossums, and squirrels looking for a meal.
You can try hanging bird feeders from the branches to keep animals out of your fruit trees. The birds will eat the fruit before the animals can get to it. You can also pick the fruit as soon as it’s ripe, so animals don’t have a chance to eat it. Better yet, you can also hire a tree trimming service to trim your trees and remove any dead branches. Trimming your trees regularly will not only keep animals out of your trees, but it will also help keep your trees healthy.
5. It’s Mating Season
For many animals, springtime is mating season, which means they’re on the move looking for a mate. Furthermore, if you live near a nature preserve or park, you’re more likely to see wildlife in your backyard as animals travel from one area to another. If you see more animals than usual in your backyard, it could just be that they’re looking for love.
You can check your local wildlife calendar to see when mating season is for different animals in your area. Once you know when animals are looking for a mate, you can take steps to keep them out of your yard. For example, you can put up a fence or netting around your property. You can also keep your garbage cans securely closed and remove any potential hiding spots like piles of leaves or wood.
Springtime is a great time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather and all the wildlife that comes with it! If you’ve seen more animals in your backyard lately, chances are one (or more) of these five reasons is why. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!