Just like humans, insects and other wildlife need water sources to thrive — especially during the hot summer months!
Using bird baths year-round is one important way to help resident and migratory birds. Remember to keep water depth at about two inches or less, add large pebbles or flat stones to help wildlife judge water depth and avoid slipping, and scrub bird baths regularly using a brush and a cleaning solution of nine parts water and one part vinegar.
Consider placing a rain barrel in your yard to conserve roof water for watering indoor plants, vegetable gardens and more.
Also consider water sources for butterflies, which cannot land on ponds, bird baths or fountains. Butterflies sip liquid or “puddle” from muddy soil to obtain moisture. Make a puddling dish using a flowerpot drainage saucer, pie tin or bird bath bowl. Place it in a depression in the ground or on a pedestal. Fill it with landscape sand and compost or garden soil, add water to create wet mud and keep it moist.
Support insects by filling a similar shallow dish with water and add decorative landscape stones to serve as landing places.
Offer valuable, clean water sources and you will be rewarded when you can enjoy the wildlife that appears outside your home.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.