Creating a place for creatures big and small is the inspiration behind many green spaces. The UK is after all home to a long list of animal species, providing a steady stream of visitors to our gardens from day to night.
While providing a home for all the wonders of nature is a beautiful idea in theory, garden wildlife can be a nuisance without the right management. Read on to discover the types of animals you might find in your garden and how to prevent them from ruining your vegetation and other planting.
There is a huge variety of insect, bird, mammal and amphibian species that have found homes in UK gardens. Whether stopping for a visit or settling in for the longer term, our gardens provide great habitats and a delicious source of food for many animals, especially if you’re a fan of growing your own.
In UK gardens, you’ll find or at least catch a glimpse of all types of animals, including birds, frogs, newts, toads, slow worms, badgers, foxes, bats, mice, rats, squirrels, hedgehogs, moles, rabbits, beetles, bugs, and butterflies - in fact, the list goes on!
It is important to state that fewer than 1% of the UK’s insects are classified as garden pests. This means there are more reasons to support the wild habitats on your doorstep, rather than prevent animals from entering.
That being said, there are many ways in which animals can cause a nuisance in your garden, destroying the planting and vegetation that you’ve worked so hard to grow and nurture.
Whether it’s mischievous mammals or bothersome birds running riot in your garden, you can strike a balance between prevention and protection.
Go organic with your pest control to keep critters in check without any chemical intervention. Encourage natural predators of specific pests to keep populations under control, and remove aphids from plants using soap solutions. Deterrents, including certain essential oils, can also be applied to safeguard vegetation. Companion planting techniques provide yet another route to a pest-free garden.
Adapting feeders to keep squirrels away from the supplies that are integral to supporting wild birds is a must. Apply Vaseline to poles to prevent squirrels from climbing up, or purchase feeders with squirrel resistant cages or spring-loaded covers.
These are just some of the tactics that can be used to maintain a haven for wildlife in your garden without letting your planting fall victim to pests.