How to Attract Backyard Wildlife

Grow dense trees, tall grasses and shrubs around your backyard to attract wildlife and provide cover from predators. Depending on the size of the yard, grow the plants along the edges of the property, or space them randomly throughout to provide room for small and large animals.

Mount nest boxes on tall trees, or hang from poles anchored securely into the ground to attract different types of birds, including flickers, bluebirds, martins, owls and hawks. Depending on personal preference, build the boxes yourself or use commercially available ones. Place a small container of water and another of commercial bird seed in each box. Alternatively, place food attractive to a particular type of bird, such as oil sunflower seeds for finches, cardinals, white-throated sparrows and chickadees, or sliced apples, grapes and raisins for catbirds and mockingbirds.

Mount hanging baskets from tall tree branches or poles inserted in the ground and plant nectar plants such as cardinal flowers, zinnias, trumpet vines, bee balm and lantana to attract birds such as hummingbirds.

Create a brush pile to attract mice, rabbits and turtles, or a rock pile for snakes, cotton mice and lizards. Place branches or large rocks on the bottom of the piles and mound the smaller material on top.

Create a water garden or pond in a corner of your backyard to attract birds, reptiles and amphibians, and provide drinking water for deer. Depending on personal preference, dig a 12- to 24-inch-deep trench or sink a bath tub in a partially shaded spot in the yard. Line the trench with a liner, and if required, connect it to a pool pump to maintain clean water all year round. Alternatively, use birdbaths to attract birds and reptiles.

Place pots or planters filled with a variety of plants that provide seeds, berries, nectar, fruits and nuts to a variety of birds and animals. Place commercially available deer feeders near trees to attract the animals to your yard.