by Yvonne Florian, Edited by Andrea Lazzari
What does it take to turn your landscape into a “Wildlife Haven” and why would you want to? Observing wildlife can foster a sense of well-being and increase your quality of life and knowledge of your surroundings. Wildlife is beautiful and is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. It gives us a reason to go outdoors in the fresh air and green spaces with wonder for what the day will show us. With a few changes you could help support local wildlife right in your own landscape.
All creatures have four basic needs. If these needs are supplied, wildlife will come:
- Food
- Water
- Cover
- Places to raise young
Start Small: How to attract butterflies and birds
Butterfly gardening is fun, low maintenance, and can be done with minimal space – even a potted plant or two. If you plant the right nectar plants and host plants for butterfly larvae, the adults will come to feed and lay eggs. Native solitary bees and honeybees will also benefit from the flowers. NOTE: If you plant a butterfly garden, the butterfly larvae will eat the host plants. Though this will look unsightly for a little while, this is highly desirable. Therefore, do NOT spray pesticides on your host plants or near the butterfly garden.
Some Florida Friendly plants for butterflies and their larvae:
- Passionflower vine, Passiflora spp.
- Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata, A. Perennis, A. tuberosa
- Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Seagrape, Cocoloba uvifera
- Parsley, Petroselinum crispum
- Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare
- Dill, Anethum graveolens
- Firebush, Hamelia patens
- Sweet Acacia, Vachellia farnesiana
- Wild lime, Zanthoxylum fagara
For the Birds
Birds are everywhere. These beautiful creatures are fun to watch, and they add color and movement to the landscape. A simple birdbath with nearby shrubs for cover will attract most birds. Keep the water clean and free of algae. Add to that some seed-bearing or berry plants and birds will visit often to feed. Our native oak trees are usually loaded with small insects on which birds and lizards can feast.
And though bird feeders are fun, it is recommended that they be used as a supplement to natural food sources rather than as a complete replacement. If you choose to add bird feeders to your landscape, make sure you choose a birdseed that is suitable for the bird species you often see in your yard. You will also want to make sure you clean the feeders regularly to prevent mold growth or the spread of any illnesses. It is always a best practice to use plants to attract birds and provide them with a food source!
Native and Florida-Friendly Plants
When planning habitat for wildlife, I like to think about layers. Large native trees, such as oaks, maples and Sabal Palmetto, planted in groups of 3 or more, are a basic place to start. Then plant understory trees and shrubs in between. These will create transitional areas and cover. The combination of trees and shrubs give structure for native vines, such as the passionflower vine, providing places for native wildlife to take cover.
Some Florida native understory shrubs with berries for wildlife:
- Wild coffee, Psychotria nervosa
- Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens
- Beautyberry, Calacarpa americana
- Simpson stopper, Myrcianthes fragrans
- Sparkleberry, Vaccinium arboretum
Larger birds of prey and most water birds are meat and fish eaters. Some even consume beetle grubs, snakes, lizards, and frogs. Additionally, owls on or near your property will cut down on damaging rodent populations. Habitat for the smaller animals will attract the larger ones. We will therefore occasionally have a hawk take a baby bird right out of the nest. When we provide habitat for some wildlife, we inevitably provide habitat for all levels of the food chain!
Conservation Easements
It may be possible to get together with neighbors to create a contiguous “wild” area which runs along the common areas through your neighborhood. Interestingly, many municipalities are already reserving “Conservation Easements” or preserve areas in their new housing development planning.
Cover for Wildlife – Leave the Leaves
For arthropod diversity and soil building don’t rake up all your leaves. Decaying leaves on the ground provides cover for sow bugs, pill bugs, snails, native toads and lizards. Not only will the toads and lizards benefit, but so will the birds who feed and nest on the ground.
Some examples of ground-nesting birds:
- Sandhill cranes
- Killdeer
- Quail
- Pheasant
- Turkey
Storm-damaged trees – wildlife opportunity
If possible, try to keep a snag, or dead tree, near the edge of your property. If an oak tree dies on your land and the falling branches are not a hazard to people or property, keep it in place. It will become a bird feeder, a bird house, and a roost. It will slowly decompose and drop limbs. But the main trunk will last for years and is an awesome place to observe wildlife. There are 25 species of native birds which nest in dead wood cavities.
Some Florida Species of Cavity-Nesting birds:
- Pileated woodpecker
- Yellow-bellied sapsucker
- Screech owl
- Great horned owl
- Southeast American Kestrel
- Red-cockaded woodpecker
- Red bellied woodpecker
Snags are another place for large raptors, also known as birds of prey, to perch while hunting for food. You will see hawks and eagles during the day and owls at night. It is fun to listen for nighttime owl calls in the fall and early winter months.
The Margins
Next, plant the margin zone plants and flowers. These would be around the edge of your trees and shrubs. Small flowering plants provide cover for small critters who may like to sun bask such as the native green anole. Rabbits also use these margin zones to quickly dash away from predators.
Never underestimate the power of the flower. Flowers will attract pollinators. We would not have much food if not for the pollination provided by our native insects. From small flies, beetles, ants, and bees to large butterflies and moths – these tiny creatures are the dynamos of our food-producing ability.
The final planting should be the ground cover or meadow areas. This would be your lawn and turfgrass or mulched areas. This is a good place for grub foragers such as the nine-banded Armadillo, Sandhill cranes, and ibis. Layers in the landscape really make it come alive with activity.
Water is Life
Everything needs water. A large water feature, specifically one which burbles, may attract a wider variety of visitors. Just be aware, native alligators could be present in any body of fresh water – whether or not you’ve ever seen one there before and even if it is fenced in. Unbelievably, alligators can climb!
Keeping any water feature clean is a top priority. You do NOT want to attract the dreaded mosquito. Mosquitoes can spread deadly diseases to both animals and people. Using a pelleted product called Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis, israelensis), you can keep mosquitoes from breeding in your water feature without harming the wildlife.
Pond Maintenance
Even larger ponds and lakes will require maintenance from a professional occasionally. There are pond specialists available throughout most of Florida. Contact your county Extension office for specifics.
Another housekeeping concern for water feature cleanliness would be algae. If you have a small garden pond or Koi pond, overfeeding the fish, decaying plant materials, and runoff can all cause algae growth. Sunlight, water, and dust from the air can cause algae in any water feature. It is recommended to have small garden ponds covered by about 40% shade.
Be a Thoughtful Neighbor
Humans and wildlife are our neighbors. Be thoughtful when spraying chemicals. First, be sure that chemical sprays are necessary before applying. Always apply chemicals appropriately and according to the package instructions. Never spray on a windy or rainy day, and familiarize yourself with any state laws and local ordinances regarding chemical applications.
Keep Cats Indoors
Pet cats live longer if kept inside the home. Wildlife lives longer if pet cats are kept inside the home. Yes, pet cats like to be outdoors. But their natural hunting instinct will be a detriment to small birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Some of these small animals may be endangered or may become endangered with the increasing prevalence of feral and free ranging felines.
If you must make time for your cat to be outdoors, consider leash training them. Another option is a “Catio”. “Catios” are small, screened areas where your cat can be let out but which prevents them from killing or harming wildlife or from the cat being hit by a passing car. Bell collars are not very effective in helping to protect wildlife from roaming cats.
Small steps have big impacts
Our native wildlife species are slowly losing their shelter areas. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida is ranked number 3 in growth rate after California and Texas. Growth means more housing is needed and builders will need to clear more of our undeveloped wild areas to build new housing. But where will the wildlife live?
You can easily turn your yard into an inviting space for native wildlife. By providing one or more of the basic needs of all living things, you can tailor your landscape to attract the wild things you would most like to observe.
UF/IFAS EDIS Publications for further reading:
“Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife: Top Ten Tips for Success” This EDIS publication has loads of links for further research on enjoying the Florida Wildlife around you. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW175.
For a list of publications and fact sheets on specific wildlife, from Armadillos to Virginia Opossum, the EDIS topic page, “Wildlife of Florida Factsheets series” is the place to find more information. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/collections/series_wildlife_of_florida.
“Butterfly Gardening”, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW057.
Bird watching, “Forest Remnants: Conserving and Observing Bird Diversity in Urban Settings”, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW343.
“Hummingbirds of Florida”, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW059.
“Establishing and Maintaining Wildlife Food Sources”, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR062.
“Providing Wildlife Cover”, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR124.
“How to Use Deterrents to Stop Damage Caused by Nuisance Wildlife in Your Yard”, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW371.
Managing Conflicts with Wildlife series, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/collections/series_managing_conflicts_with_wildlife.
Pond Maintenance, see the EDIS topic page, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/search?q=Pond+Maintenance&language=&criticalIssue=&publicationType=#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=Pond%20Maintenance&gsc.page=1.
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