Archive for July, 2009
Even if owning a standard seed bird feeder is too time consuming or too expensive with the upkeep, a hummingbird feeder is a great option for all homeowners. Hummingbirds don’t eat regular seeds and nuts (though some will eat fruit), instead, a hummingbird prefers nectar. Nectar comes from plants, and hummingbirds are often found near wildflowers. However, a hummingbird will also sip standard sugar water, which is the most common food in hummingbird feeders.
People can make hummingbird food in their own homes with water and sugar. To get started, add four parts water to one part sugar, and bring it to a boil on the stove. Remove the sugar water from the stove, and let it cool. For people who make too much, try freezing it in plastic cups, and then unthawing it later when needed. Once this artificial nectar is cooled, just place it in the hummingbird feeder and wait. If it’s a new hummingbird feeder, it often takes two or three days for the hummingbirds to start coming to it. If it’s an existing feeder that has had nectar in it before, the hummingbirds will zip in as soon as there’s no one around!
Water is the building block of life, and so it comes as no surprise that backyard ponds can evolve into complex ecosystems. People lucky enough to enjoy a view of these vibrant habitats would love to do so all year long, but sometimes weather isn’t so cooperative. Harsh winters can disrupt and even end the lives of many pond-dwelling creatures. Fish are deprived of oxygen when the surface freezes.
A pond heater can prolong the lifespan of fish and other animals that rely on your pond to survive. Low-powered heaters don’t waste energy; even if the water stays cold, it won’t freeze over entirely. With the help of a pond heater, homeowners can continue to enjoy the activity in and around their pond well into the winter months.
Years of myth and misinformation have given bats a bad rap, when in fact they are one of nature’s most effective forms of pest control. These nocturnal neighbors retire to a dark, cool environment during the day, leaving humans to go about their business undisturbed. Contrary to popular belief, bats’ presence and feeding patterns have absolutely no effect on nearby birds. With that in mind, it’s beneficial to offer bats convenient room and board – you’ll see the benefits when they start to take a bite out of the night-flying insect population.
No bat house is guaranteed to attract tenants, but you can significantly boost the possibility by trying a long, wide dwelling. The extra space affords bats enough room to stretch their sizable wings. Bats are highly sociable creatures, so they typically roost in large groups. Before selecting a particular house, do some research to determine which bats are most prevalent in your geographical area.