Loss of wildlife habitat is happening at an alarming rate in Australia due to deforestation and tree-clearing. As a result, all manner of creatures are venturing into urban areas to find some semblance of home. Is your yard set up to cater to birds, reptiles, and mammals? Here’s how you can ensure your landscaping is up to scratch for those creatures who need it.
Choose Plants for Protection
If you have been thinking about changing your property’s plant variety, then consider those native trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants that protect reptiles and small birds. Pair large trees and plants with small, dense shrubs, and even grasses, that animals can use for shelter and shade.
Plants for Food
Possums, flying foxes, and other small mammals are finding it harder and harder to get the nourishment they need. If you don’t mind welcoming wildlife into your property, then there are specific plants you can include in your landscaping to encourage them. Lemon and eucalyptus-scented gums and plants with nectar and pollen can be a great option to begin.
Install a Pond
Aside from having some surprising mental health benefits, a pond or water feature of some kind can be a welcome addition for encouraging wildlife. When positioned in a sheltered spot, it can be a source of water for birds as well as somewhere for frogs to live. Talk to your local landscaping expert about the best type of ponds to match your property style.
Be Careful with Chemicals
Pesticides and chemicals can be necessary for the maintenance of your garden, but they can also be silent killers. Instead of using harmful synthetic products, opt for the natural variety. Baking soda and white vinegar, for example, can be all you need to manage pests but can have next to no impact on wildlife.
Leave Mulch and Leaf Litter
It can be tempting to clean up mulch and leaf litter in your garden, but these can attract wildlife that needs somewhere safe to live. Leaf litter attracts lizards and birds, while mulch can provide nesting materials for small creatures.
Invest in Grasses
Not only are grasses a contemporary, easy-care plant for landscaping, but they can be a preference by some bird species. Both magpies and noisy miners love grassed areas, so consider them for both wildlife and a low-maintenance yard.
Be Particular with Fencing and Netting
It’s only natural to want to protect your fruit trees and vegetables from animals with netting, but make sure it’s the right type of netting. Talk to someone in landscaping about wildlife-safe fencing and netting.
Fruitsaver, hail guard, and vege net varieties all pass the “finger test”, which means you can’t poke a finger through them. These varieties are some of the safest for wildlife.
Landscaping is something you can put a lot of time and effort into for yourself, but why not think of native animals, too? Spare a thought for creatures losing their habitat by welcoming them into yours. Your local landscaping expert can assist.