In most cases, the wildlife that occupies your yard is there because something in your yard “invited” them in. Certain plants, landscapes, and features attract various animals. While you’re already working in your yard, you can focus your efforts on making it so the features of your backyard invite them in.

In order to create a wildlife invitation, you need to think in terms of the most basic fundamentals. All living creatures have to same basic needs: food, water, and shelter. It is natural instinct to occupy areas that contain the resources to meet our needs. We as humans wouldn’t live somewhere that wouldn’t allow us access to food and water. The same goes for wildlife. If you take care to make sure that there are food, water, and shelter elements in your backyard, wildlife will inevitably begin to occupy it on a regular basis.

Provide Food

Food is probably the easiest of the three needs to incorporate into your backyard, mostly because there are so many options.Birds respond well to feeders as do squirrels. In order to prevent them from competing for the same food resource, use a squirrel proof bird feeder and then create another food source for the squirrels.

Trees with edible flowers or nuts are great sources of food for squirrels. Some animals will even munch on some of the insects that are attracted to your garden because of various plants. If you become impatient and don’t want to wait for wildlife to find the natural food resources, you can always sprinkle some corn around the base of the tree or even hang corn cobs from branches. Using corn or other food products from your kitchen should only be done sparingly so you don’t condition the animals to rely solely on handouts from your kitchen.

Create Water Sources

Incorporating water into your backyard can either be really tricky, or amazingly simple. Intricate water structures are perhaps the most time consuming but they offer the most when it comes to overall ambiance and possibilities of wildlife. Pond like water structures give you the option of bringing fish and other aquatic animals into your backyard while providing a water source for land dwelling creatures. If a pond or other intricate water structure is the way you want to go, realize that they can be on the expensive side not only put inn but to maintain. Aside from funds, they can also be fairly labor intensive.

If expense and intensive labor don’t sound like your cup of tea, then bird baths or other smaller water sources may be the way for you to go. Regardless of the water source you chose to use, make sure the water in it is always clean and fresh. You don’t want to create an area to harbor bacteria and mosquito larva.

Give Shelter Options

Food and water sources won’t do you much good in terms of inviting in wildlife if there is no form of shelter for them. Provided areas where animals will feel like they are protect against the elements and other forms of wildlife will make them feel more comfortable venturing into your backyard or even taking up residency there. Shrubs, grasses, and trees of varying heights provide lots of places for birds, squirrels, and other animals to hide and even nest. Evergreens are optimal because they provide protection from the elements year round. Evergreens make it possible to keep wildlife in your yard even during the cold winter months.

Bird houses are also an option, but keep in mind that many birds are extremely particular when it comes to where they nest, so don’t take offense when they don’t take up residency in your new piece of real estate or when squirrels decide to take it over. Regardless of whether or not it gets used, bird houses still enhance the appearance of your yard.

Leaving an area of your yard “untouched” with some wild grasses and fallen logs also provides great shelter for wildlife. That fact that the area isn’t constantly being disturbed makes it all the more appealing to animals because they feel less threatened and don’t have to constantly move their nesting places. The area doesn’t have to be a large chunk of your yard. It can be as big or as small as you would like. A strip along your fence or even a corner section of your yard would be just fine as long as you are not constantly moving through it to get to other areas of your yard.

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When you are creating your outdoor space, you have to consider quite a few things. One of the most important things that you need to think about when you are decorating is just how you are going to decorate.

For most people, the outdoor space is going to have some type of theme, at least in style, and it can be important for you to consider the theme when you are choosing all of your different decorative elements that you are going to be using. You have plenty of choices when it comes to the type of décor that you might want to have for your outdoor space.

Here are some of the most popular types of decorations that many people have in their backyards. These might be a great addition to your own space. Read on and see what might work for you!

Balancing Sun and Shade

While you might want to get out and get some sun in the warm months of the year, that doesn’t mean that everyone that you have come to the house wants to do the same. You need to make sure that your outdoor space has a place where people can enjoy the sun, as well as a place where you can keep in the shade.

Large awnings are an option, but you have plenty of choices, including a professionally build roof for the deck or the patio.

Plants, Ponds, and Landscaping

Flowers are a great way to add a bit of personality to your outdoor space without spending a fortune, but they are not the only option that you have. You might also want to consider some other types of plants. Cacti, for example, can look great in many different outdoor spaces.

You will also find that there are some great ways to add some water features to your garden area. Manmade ponds are always a popular feature, and they can add a lot of personality to your backyard.

In addition, you really have to make sure that you keep up with your landscaping. Even though many would not consider landscaping part of the décor, it really is.

Décor for the Patio or Deck

You also want to make sure that you have the right décor for your patio or your deck area. Just as when you decorated the inside of the home, you want to make sure that the furniture and the accent pieces that you buy for the patio and deck are going to match and go well together.

You will want to choose great furniture, but the accents are where you can add personality. A fountain, a statue, hand painted tiles, and sculptures are just a couple of options that you might want to consider.

Lovely Lighting

Of course, one of the most important features of your outdoor space is going to be the outdoor lighting. Lighting fixtures and elements come in a host of different styles and shapes, and you should easily be able to find the ones that are going to work well for your outdoor space.

They can provide practical lighting, in some cases, but the elements that offer ambient lighting are the ones that are going to help you set the tone for your outside space once the sun goes down.

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