How to Help Wildlife During a Heat Wave
As temperatures rise, so does the strain on already fragile ecosystems. Fortunately, you can provide relief for birds, butterflies, and other creatures by taking a few simple steps. Read our advice and transform your outdoor space into a safe haven.
Photo by Abed Ismail on Unsplash
1. Provide water
Animals need to stay hydrated, just like humans do, and you can help them stay cool in a few different ways. First, if you don’t already have a bird bath, install one in a shady area. We recommend you go for an option that has slits around the edges—this makes it easier for our feathered friends to land and take a drink—and refill it every couple of days so they have an abundant, clean source to dive into and lower their body temperature. You can also place a few additional water-filled containers around your yard or patio to help other wildlife. Bees, butterflies, and moths benefit from shallow dishes with stones placed in the center for them to land on, and deeper ones placed on the ground can quench the thirst of squirrels, rabbits, and more.
2. Offer shade
It’s cooler out of the sun, so if your yard doesn’t have many trees, think about planting some next spring when the timing is right. In the meantime, you can diversify your space with plants and shrubs. Ask your local gardening center what native species they have available, as these will already be well-equipped to handle extreme temperatures and often require less watering. They’ll also provide places for birds and other animals to shelter during the hottest parts of the day. Remember to also incorporate mulch and groundcover—these will help retain water and provide refuge for insects.
3. Supply food
We’ll mention native plants again here—since they’re already adapted to your corner of the world, they’ll provide seeds, berries, and fruit throughout the season, even when it’s scorching outside. They’ll also host native insects, which in turn assist birds in feeding their young. You can also supplement with bird seed if you like. Just remember to avoid suet, as hotter weather can make it go rancid. You can swap it out temporarily for a log or pinecone slathered with a mixture of one part peanut butter to five parts corn meal.
4. Avoid pesticides
There are many reasons to eliminate these harmful chemicals. They can kill birds directly through ingestion, skin exposure, or spray drift. They can also harm butterflies. Some even cause brain damage in young bees, making it harder for them to navigate and reproduce. What you might not realize, especially if you don’t have one right in front of you, is that they can contaminate water sources through runoff. It’s better to utilize organic methods instead. You can purchase neem oil at most garden centers, or even boxes of ladybugs to help control aphids. Oyster shells and eggshells can be incorporated into soil to deter snails and slugs. You can use mulch to keep weeds at bay, and engage in some old-fashioned hand-pulling when they do crop up. Prior to the 1940s, these are the only methods people had—give them a try, and be a friend to the earth.