ackyards for WildlifeB

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nongame leaflet #3 second editionnongame leaflet #3 second editionnongame leaflet #3 second editionnongame leaflet #3 second editionnongame leaflet #3 second edition

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Idaho Fish and Game’s Nongame, Endangered, andWatchable Wildlife Program

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Nongame, Endangered, and Watchable Wildlife Program (NongameProgram) was first formed in July 1982. The Department had long been interested in the welfare of nongamewildlife when the Idaho legislature established the state’s first tax checkoff on the 1981 income tax form. It wasthe funds derived from the checkoff that allowed the establishment of a legitimate nongame wildlife program.State taxpayers contributed a portion of their refunds to the conservation of species not hunted, trapped, orfished (more than 80 percent of Idaho’s wildlife species).

In 1992, the Idaho Legislature passed a wildlife license plate bill that allowed a portion of the Bluebird Plateproceeds to benefit the Nongame Wildlife Program. The Elk Plate was introduced in 1998 and the Trout Plate in2003 to support the increasing demands on the program. Idaho’s Nongame Program includes species research,surveys, monitoring, workshops, watchable wildlife viewing sites, wildlife events, and publications like this.

Contribute to the nongame wildlife fund when you prepare your taxes! Itis easy and, besides wildlife license plate sales, it is the only state source ofincome for the nongame program.

Wildlife plates are available at the vehicle licensing offices of every county assessor. Just bring the vehicle registration with you and purchase it for either a Bluebird Plate, an Elk Plate or Fish Plate. Your support helps Department of Fish and Game’s nongame wildlife conservation, education, and recreation programs. For a statewide list of assessor’s offices, check this website:

http://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/vehicleservices/assessor.htm

G o W i l d !INVEST IN IDAHO’S WILDLIFE

Idaho

Fish

& Wildlife Foundation B u y W i l d !

1

Table of Contents...Share Your Yard With Wildlife

2What’s Good for Wildlife May Also Be Good

For You3

The First Steps4

For a Wildlife Friendly Yard5

Some Basic Principles6

Water7

Plants for Food and Cover9

Trees10

Flowering Plants11

Shrubs12

Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardens13

Managing Weeds14

Supplemental Bird Feeding15

Types ofFeeders

17Helping Birds Find a Home

20Bat Houses

22Insect Shelters

23Reptile and Amphibian Shelters

24Attracting Residents Requires Patience

24Nuisance Animals

25Pesticide Use

31Certifying Your Yard

32

Anise swallowtail caterpillar Kent Fothergill

2

Share Your Yard With WildlifeIdaho residents are fortunate in beingsurrounded by a rich assortment ofwildlife. One survey has shown over 80%of Idahoans spend time each year enjoyingwildlife through activities such asobservation and photography. Most of us

do not have as manyopportunities as we wouldlike to visit remote areasfor viewing and enjoyingthe remarkable animalsthat share our state.Luckily, some of thatexperience can becaptured by creating a yardthat is inviting to the

animals that share our neighborhoods.Even in the midst of urban areas, Idahoanscan still attract and observe a surprisingvariety of animals. However, the growthof cities, increasing industrialization,encroachment of development intonatural areas, and pollution of the air,water, and soil threaten the preciouswildlife resources that we treasure. Ayard that is welcoming to wildlife canprovide an oasis for animals that mightotherwise be forced to move or evendisappear from the state completely.

Human activities greatlyalter the landscape,fragmenting wildlifehabitat and reducing theability of many animalsto survive. Miles ofroads, highways, andfreeways createdangers for animals thatneed to cross duringtheir daily activities.Many of these barriers

can be overcome if we landscape withwildlife in mind. Your yard, if it providesthe basic needs for wildlife, can improvethe ability of many animals to survive andhelp maintain wildlife diversity. You canmake a difference for Idaho’s wildlife and

enhance your own environment at thesame time.

Attracting wildlife into your yard can beas simple as planting a native flower, toinvite butterflies, or as elaborate asproviding a variety of habitats for a widerange of wildlife species. Creating awildlife-friendly yard can fit everyone’senergy level and budget. Many peoplebegin by a single act, such as hanging ahummingbird feeder, and become sodelighted by the results that they widenthe scope of their efforts to attract otherwildlife.

Male yellow warbler,USFWS

Columbine, Reny Parker, renyswildflowers.com

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What’s Good for WildlifeMay Also Be Good For You!

Any step taken toward accommodatingthe needs of wildlife can reap abundantrewards, because a welcoming yardprovides benefits to people as well.Planting trees and shrubs that providefood and shelter for wildlife can also:

✻ Moderate temperatures around yourhouse, keeping your propertywarmer in the winter and cooler inthe summer, helping to lower heatingand cooling bills.

✻ Reduce the impacts of strong windsby sheltering your house.

✻ Provide a greater degree of privacyfrom neighbors and traffic.

✻ Prevent soil erosion, especially if youhave sloping areas on your property.

✻ Reduce noise from surroundingactivities.

✻ Improve air quality.

Replacing areas of lawn grass with nativetrees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers canalso decrease water needs and expenses,and reduce the amount of time you needto spend on chores such as mowing. Non-native flowers, shrubs, and trees are plantsthat have been introduced to Idaho byhumans. Some introduced palnts areclassified as “invasive” because they lacknatural controls in their new environmentand these plants choke out native plantsthat wildlife depend upon. You may betempted to plant some non-natives for

their abilities to provide food and shelterfor wildlife, or for their beauty. Be carefulnot to plant invasives and look for nativeequivalents that furnish the samebounties and won’t take over your yard.

Replacing non-native plants with nativescan also eliminate the need for herbicidesand artificial fertilizers, preventingcontamination of soil and water. Our ownhealth, and that of wildlife, is directlyrelated to the quality of our surroundingenvironment.

The less tangible benefits that result frominviting wildlife into your yard may beeven more compelling than the easilymeasured ones. You may sharpen yourobservation skills, thrill to the sight ofanimal behavior not often seen, renewand maintain a connection to the naturalworld, provide children with a sense ofrespect for the animals that share theiryard, and just have fun!

“What is manwithout the beasts?

If all the beastswere gone, menwould die from a

great loneliness ofspirit. For whatever

happens to thebeasts, soon

happens to man.All things areconnected.”- unknown

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Kinnikinik, Reny Parker, renyswildflowers.com

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The First StepsCreating a plan is the first step in makingyour yard attractive to wildlife.

✻ Look at your property and determinethe areas to devote to wildlife andthose to keep for your own uses (suchas a children’s play area or petexercise space).

✻ Factor in the energy and budget youare willing to devote to the effort.

✻ The level of landscaping that alreadyexists also needs to be considered. Abare yard with little or no landscapingoffers endless opportunities forenhancing wildlife attractiveness, butwill take years to become an effectivesanctuary. On the other hand, a yardwith mature landscaping may limitpossibilities (without major work), butis likely to show increased wildlife usein a short period of time.

✻ Explain to your neighbors what youare doing and the benefits your effortswill provide. It might even convincethem to join in the fun and createwildlife-friendly yards of their own!

✻ Keep in mind the conditions uniqueto your location. The type oflandscaping appropriate for propertyin the southern Idaho desert may notbe effective for land in the northernIdaho mountains. You may need tolandscape the edges of your propertyto reduce fire danger, prevent erosion,or reduce the risk of flooding.

✻ Now decide what you would like toattract. Does your interest lie in birds,butterflies, mammals, reptiles, oramphibians? Or would you like toattract a wide variety of wildlife? Manyfeatures that attract one type ofanimal will also benefit others.However, realize the limitations setby your location. Your ability to attractamphibians in the middle of the desertis minimal, but you may be successfulif you live close to a natural waterway.

✻ Create a scale drawing of yourproperty, sketching in all of thebuildings, large plantings, and otherfeatures such as fences and driveways.Graph paper may make drawing toscale easier, or computer softwareallows the creation of a customizedplan without the need to draw.Indicate the structures and plants thatyou could replace with componentsmore valuable to wildlife. But do notautomatically cut down a dead ordying tree. A dead, standing tree (snag)is a haven for many types of birds.They may nest in a cavity, eat insectsthat burrow into the bark, or perchin the branches.

You can add new landscaping featuresdirectly to your sketch, use transparentoverlays to try out a variety of ideas, orshow progressive steps if you decide toimplement your plan over several years.A series of computer simulationsindicating steps in the landscaping processcan be useful. When you place new plantsonto your plan, be sure to allow for theirmature size, or you may end up plantingthem too close together. Planning onpaper or on the computer before youbegin can prevent costly landscapingmistakes.

Another useful step is to photographareas of your yard as a baseline. You mayfind pleasure and satisfaction in lookingat pictures that record your landscapingprogress. Start small, and do oneimprovement at a time.

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Simple-one stepprojects to attract

wildlife✻ Install a birdfeeder or

birdbath✻ Construct a birdhouse✻ Plant a flowering shrub✻ Create a rock pile✻ Plant a native fruit

producing plant

Goldfinch, Larry Barrett

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For a Wildlife-Friendly Yard,MAXIMIZE…

✻ Diversity. Provide as much diversityas possible in plant types, heights,blooming seasons, pollinator species,plant shape, and the distancesbetween plantings.

✻ Density. Plantings and features ofvarying density also helpaccommodate a variety of animals.Closely packed (dense) plantings orother features (such as brush piles)can be provided, as well as more opengroupings and completely openspaces.

✻ Edge. The transition zone betweentwo types of habitat (such as a clusterof trees and a wildflower area) isdefined as “edge.” This is the area withthe highest concentration of wildlife. To

✻provide edge, layer your plantings toprovide animals with a choice ofhabitats for gathering food, takingshelter, and making a home. Byaccommodating all of an animal’sneeds, they may frequent your yardmore often.

✻ Travel routes. Animals need tomove onto and through yourproperty. Unless you mainly want toattract animals that fly (birds,butterflies), you need to provideaccess onto your property andcorridors through it. You will alsowant to walk through your yard toprune, weed, mulch, or just observe.Leave some travel routes throughyour property for these purposes.

Computer landscaping model courtesy of Snake River Xeric in cooperation with Native and XericPlants LLC.

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Some Basics PrinciplesMost yards featuring lawn or grass turfdo not provide much wildlife value.Minimizing lawn is one of the first stepsyou can take when creating your plan. Byreducing or eliminating lawn grass on yourproperty, you will also decrease yourwater needs, lower your yardmaintenance needs when replacementplants have become established, and addinterest and diversity to your property.

When adding new plants, remember touse native species suited to your locationas much as possible. Look at undevelopedland near your property and observe thekinds of plants that grow there. You canoften identify unfamiliar plants by lookingthem up in a plant field guide. Countyextension agents or master gardenersmay also provide helpful informationabout plants native to your area. Inaddition, contact your local chapter of theIdaho Native Plant Society for native plantsales and native plant information. Mostnursery staff can help you distinguishbetween native and non-native plants.

Many native plant seeds or seedlings canbe purchased from local nurseries. Youmay also be able to get permission tosalvage native plants from areas about tobe developed. Keep in mind that manyplants native to Idaho (such as arrowleafbalsamroot) have extensive root systemsand can only be collected when very small.Never collect wild plants unless they arethreatened by development and you havegained permission, because you coulddiminish the wild populations.

Besides plants, you might add otherfeatures to your master plan that benefitwildlife. A pond or other water sourcecan satisfy an essential need for almostevery kind of animal. Rock piles or wallscan provide hiding spots for lizards andinsects. A woodpile or brush pile canshelter rabbits, toads, and garter snakes.Hollow logs or covered pieces of culvertcreate temporary havens for manyanimals.

As you fill in the details of the plan youcreated, you will need to keep in mindthe four major needs of wildlife: water,food, shelter, and space.

Idaho Native PlantSociety

http://www.idahonativeplants.org

Idaho MasterGardener

http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/org/

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“One feature ofmost yards that

does not providemuch wildlife value

is grass or turf.Minimizing lawn is

one of the firststeps you can takewhen creating your

plan.”

Notice the difference between the turf on one lawn andthe native landscaping on the other. They both look nice,but the landscaped yard is more inviting to wildlife.Photos by Sara Focht, IDFG

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“Supplying wateris the single best

method ofattracting the

greatest diversityof wildlife.”

“Where there arebirds, there is

water.”- African-Orambo

proverb

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WaterWater is as vital to wildlife as it is tohumans. Yet many people provide foodand shelter and forget this essentialcomponent. Supplying water is the singlebest method of attracting the greatestdiversity of wildlife.

If your property includes a natural watersource, such as a pond, marsh, stream, orspring, don’t drain or destroy these areas;animals will already be regular visitors. Indeveloped areas where water is scarce,supplying water far from natural waterfeatures is extremely valuable to wildlife.This is especially true in the desert areasof Idaho where streams and ponds oftendry up during long, hot summers.Satisfying the needs of many types ofcreatures by artificial means is easy.

The location of the water source youprovide will determine the kinds ofanimals coming to drink and bathe. Sometypes of wildlife prefer an elevated sourcewhile others can access only wateravailable on the ground.

The variety of containers you can use toprovide water is limited only by youringenuity. From a simple upturnedgarbage lid or pie tin set into the groundto an elaborate artificial pond completewith waterfall and pond plants, a watersource can provide many opportunitiesfor wildlife viewing.

A small source of ground-level waterattracts mice, rabbits, salamanders, toads,snakes, lizards, quail, and even butterflies.The container should have sloping sidesand a water depth of 2 to 3 inches. Slopingsides or an escape ramp in all waterfeatures are important so wildlife doesnot get trapped in the water, unable toleap out of steep sides. If possible, basinsset on the ground should have multipledepths. For simple set-ups such as pansor lids, varying depths can be obtainedby partially submerging a flat rock near

the edge. A very shallow area will attractinsects. If the pan can accommodate arock sticking out of the water, it can serveas a resting or basking spot.

Plans for supplying water on the groundcan be more complex than providing asimple dish, as mentioned above.Preformed tubs of different sizes, shapes,and depths—available at hardware storesand plant nurseries—make an easy wayto create a small pond. You can addsubmerged native aquatic plants in pots,or fountains to provide mist and thesound of running water. If an elaborateset-up is within your budget, a waterfallcan be a pleasant addition that attractsanimals to your pond. Be aware that ifyou add fish to your pond, they mayattract great blue herons, kingfishers,raccoons, and other animals that feast onfish.

Ground-based water sources should belocated about 10 to 15 feet away fromdense vegetation to allow visiting animalsto notice stalking predators such as cats.Water sources set in sunny spots mayattract a different clientele than those ina shady location (toads prefer the shade,while birds prefer the sun).

Most perching birds prefer elevatedwater sources. Bird baths, availablecommercially, can be inexpensive and aredesigned to accommodate mostlocations. Water containers can besuspended from abracket mounted on apole or pillar. Basins seton a deck railing comein a variety of shapesto fit into corners orup against supports.Adding devices thatproduce dripping orrunning water to anywater feature is highlyeffective in helping

Photo by Carina DeWitt,Hidden Springs, Idaho

Wood duck, Gregg Losinski, IDFG

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wildlife locate the source. You can buildyour own dripper by suspending a plasticbottle upside down over the watercontainer with a small hole in the cap.Stores that supply bird seed and relateditems usually stock drippers that attachto an outside faucet and can be adjustedto provide a slow or fast drip rate. Mistersthat connect to a garden hose offer birdsa refreshing spray. Recirculating fountains,available in different sizes, can alsoenhance wildlife visitations.

Many people supply water through spring,summer, and fall, but animals continue toneed water throughout the winter.Winter water is especially importantwhen natural sources freeze over or aredry. Keeping fresh water available allwinter can be challenging and rewarding.You can place shallow, portable containerson the south side of your house to takefull advantage of the sun’s heat. Using ablack container may enhance solarheating and keep the water ice-free atlower temperatures. Electric heatersdesigned to be submerged are alsocommercially available. These plug into anelectric outlet; many are controlled by a

thermostat that turns on the heat onlywhen needed to keep the water fromfreezing. Larger tubs may need to bedrained for the winter. And, of course,fountains and drippers should beremoved when temperatures drop belowfreezing.

NEVER USE ANTIFREEZE to prevent iceformation in your water features.Antifreeze is a poison that will kill theanimals that come to drink and possiblyharm pets.

Water containers should be kept fairlyclean to prevent the spread of diseaseand mosquito breeding. West Nile Virushas been detected in Idaho, so cleaningwater containers around your yard isessential. Water containers can beemptied and scrubbed before refilling.Tubs not easily drained may require acirculation system that routes waterthrough a cleaning filter. Just like people,animals like fresh water, so clean watercontainers every three to five days.

Adding a water feature to your wildlifeplan will attract a greater number andvariety of animals and is a sure-fire wayto enhance your wildlife viewingopportunities. Maintaining water sourcesthrough the entire year is even better.Wildlife will benefit and so will you.

✻Mountain chickadee, Don Owens

West Nile VirusWest Nile Virus

FF ight theBite!

ight theBite!

YOU CAN...YOU CAN...

Contact your local Idaho Fishand Game office for more infoon West Nile Virus.

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Plants for Food and CoverWhen it comes to choosing plants toenhance the wildlife attractiveness of youryard, go native! Indigenous plants arealready adapted to the climate and soiltype, live in balance with other plants andanimals, and thrive with minimalmaintenance. Choosing native plants canalso be educational—an opportunity tobecome knowledgeable about localnatural history.

Avoid planting in straight rows. A narrowstrip of vegetation is not very useful towildlife. Plant in clumps that vary in sizeand shape—curved or irregular contoursalso provide a natural appearance.

Learn the average frost dates in your area(the day of the last frost in the spring andthe first frost in the fall). Planting is bestdone in the spring, when the soil is looseand a hard freeze is unlikely, or in the fallwhen the days are cool. Planting in thedry Idaho summer can be stressful onplants—especially trees and shrubs—because their roots need to be kept moistto reduce the shock of transplanting.

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USDA Plant Hardiness MapThis map is an example of a tool you can use todetermine what plants are best suited for your yard.Plants are catagorized with a “zone” to help landscapersknow where the plants will succeed. Other factors,besides average winter minimum temperatures, mustbe taken into consideration. The amount of moisturepresent, aspect to the sun, light requirements, and soiltype are also important factors for plant growth.

AVERAGE WINTERMINIMUM TEMPERATURES

2b -45º to -40ºF3a -40º to -35ºF3b -35º to -30ºF4a -30º to -25ºF4b -25º to -20ºF5a -20º to -15ºF5b -15º to -10ºF6a -10º to -5ºF6b -5º to 0ºF7a 0º to 5ºF

BoiseNampa

Lewiston

MeridianCaldwell

Pocatello

Twin Falls

Idaho Falls

Coeur d'Alene

Burley

Hailey

Jerome

Weiser

Moscow

Rexburg

Blackfoot

Sandpoint

Post Falls

Mountain Home

Arco

Inkom

Dubois

Salmon

Ashton

McCall

Worley

Challis

Stanley

Wallace

Kooskia

Cascade

Orofino

Riggins

Potlatch

Cambridge

Malad CityMontpelier

Sun Valley

Grand View

Grangeville

Saint Maries

Soda Springs

Priest River

Bonners Ferry

American Falls

Shoup

Riddle

Elk City

Priest Lake

Powell Junction

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TreesIntroducing treesinto your yardrequires the

greatest amount ofplanning because of

their relatively slow growthand large size when mature. A diversity

of tree types varying in height, shape,density, and reproductive form (fruit,berries, cones, pods, nuts) is ideal for awildlife-friendly yard. However, if you havea small yard, trees that provide one ortwo aspects that increase wildlife valuemake the most sense. You may choose atree that holds its fruit through the winteror provides a dense nesting place as wellas a windbreak for your house. You mayalso be influenced by a desire to enjoycolorful fall foliage.

Tree suitability varies by climate.Choosing the ideal trees adapted for yourarea is likely to lead to success. Idaho is

fortunate to contain high, mountainousareas with cold winters and cool

summers, desert areas with hot, drysummers and mild winters, andclimates in between. Keep these

climate patterns in mind whenvisiting the nursery. See inside back

cover for a few of Idaho’s native trees.

Non-native, non-invasive trees thatprovide food for humans such as cherry,apricot, and apple trees, are attractive toa wide range of birds, mammals, andinsects. If you’re willing to share thebounties of your orchard, you will berewarded with animal visitors thatotherwise may not frequent your yard.

When deciding where to place trees,position evergreens on the north andwest sides of your house to shelter yourhome from strong winds, snow, and hail.Plant deciduous trees on the south andeast sides to provide shade in the summer,yet allow the sun to warm your house in

the winter when they have lost theirleaves.

Trees are beneficial alive, as well as deador dying. Dead trees left standing, calledsnags, offer nesting sites for cavity-dwelling animals such as woodpeckers,kestrels, some owls, and raccoons. Snagsalso offer open-view perching sites forbirds. Dying trees, usually housing insects,attract many insect eaters.

Fallen trees or rotting stumps can protectmany small creatures: snakes, mice, toads,and salamanders. The decaying wood alsoadds nutrients to the soil.

“Without habitat,there is no wildlife.

It’s that simple.”- Wildlife Habitat

Canada

Red squirrel, Donna Dewhurst, USFWS

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Flowering PlantsMany people believe placing and plantingflowers is the most delightful task ofcreating a wildlife-friendly yard. Sowingseeds allows pleasant anticipation of thegarden that will develop. Planting fall bulbsbrings the expectation of early springcolor. Perennial plants come up year afteryear, while annuals bloom one season andthen die. Some annuals readily reseed andsprout in force around the area of theoriginal plant. Biennials last two years—growing their first year, blooming theirsecond year and then dying.

You can plan your flower garden for aspecific purpose or for more general use.If you’re interested in attracting thebiggest variety of birds, members of thesunflower family (asters, blanket flowers,daisies), called composites, work well.However, you may want to specialize ingardens designed to attract certaincreatures such as hummingbirds orbutterflies. ✻

Flowers supply food for birds, butterflies,beetles, bees, and tiny wasps. Insects aidin pollinating your wildlife garden’s plantsand will also attract insect eating animals.

If you plan your flower gardens carefully,your yard will abound with color andwildlife throughout spring, summer, andfall.

When established, native wildflowers,native shrubs, and native trees will requireless care than non-native plants. Inaddition, resident wildlife have alreadyadapted to the native flowers and mayprefer them to non-native flowers. Seethe table on the inside back cover formore information on flowers that arenative to your area. As with trees andshrubs—don’t ever dig up native flowersexcept with permission in an area aboutto be developed.

Western swallowtail, Kent FothergillBee on groundsel, Forrest Vandyke

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ShrubsShrubs provide an intermediate layer for your wildlife garden. Like trees, shrubs canprovide food, nesting sites, and cover. However, shrubs are more versatile than treesbecause of their smaller size.

Shrubs can be open or dense, tall or ground hugging. Dense shrubs, such as nativewild roses, offer small birds a safe place to nest. The open aspect of a forsythiapermits birds to perch while watching for predators. Both of these shrubs also addcolor to the yard — brilliant yellow spring flowers on the forsythia and pink, fragrantflowers on the rose (along with edible rose hips in the fall). Wildlife is attracted toshrubs with berries such asgooseberry, currant, ninebark, andelderberry.

Choice and placement of shrubsdepends upon soil type, lightrequirements, water needs, andpersonal preference. For example,some shrubs are shade tolerantand grow well under a larger tree,whereas other shrubs prefer theopen sun.

✻

Hummingbird and Butterfly GardensMaintaining a flower garden just for hummingbirds can be a rewarding experience for

you and the birds. Hummers eat nectar and insects and need to feed aboutevery 15 minutes during the day, offering ample opportunities to watch

these acrobatic marvels dart among the blossoms. Tubular flowers incolors of red, orange, or pink are the most attractive tohummingbirds. Flowers that fit this description include columbine,scarlet gilia, and Indian paintbrush. If you’re lucky, you may discovera thimble-sized hummingbird nest (about 1" across), usually builton limbs near water.

Butterfly gardens are also a popular choice with many urbanand rural residents. Some butterflies are selective in their foodchoices. For example, monarch caterpillars require milkweed as

their food source—nothing else will do. Parsnip, parsley, dill, fennel,and celery attract swallowtails. A variety of other butterflies visit

blanketflowers, mallows, trilliums, clarkia, and wild strawberries.

In the fall, when the flowers have finished blooming, prepare the plants forwinter. Many insect larvae overwinter on or under flower stems. An abundance

of insects provide spring food for animals from lizards to birds. Therefore, let yourflowers go to seed in the fall and avoid trimming seed stalks until spring when theplants begin to send up new growth. Tidying up plants, by cutting off old seed heads(deadheading) or pruning stems to the ground should wait until spring.

Rufous hummingbird

syringaLisa Hahn, IDFG

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Managing WeedsManaging weeds can be an issue in flowergardens as well as in vegetable gardens.Mulching your flower gardens can limitweed growth and keep moisture in thesoil, an important consideration wherethe soil is sandy and drains quickly. Leaf,grass, straw, and bark chip mulches buildup the soil, increasing organic matter asthey decompose (although bark chipsdecay slowly). However, you need toreplenish the covering as it decomposes.Try to avoid bark mulches made withcypress tree, because these gulf coastnatives are becoming rare. Instead try topurchase mulches made locally. Pebbles,landscape fabric, and plastic sheeting aremore durable and long lasting, but canmake it difficult to add or replace plants.

Avoid spraying or disbursing herbicide inyour flowerbeds for weed control. Thechemicals may kill insects that benefitplants (such as pollinators and thoseinsects that prey on damaging bugs) andunnecessarily contaminate the soil. Thebest ways to take weeds out is by handor shovel.

So you’re now proceeding with sowingyour piece of earth. In addition to a greenthumb, creating flower gardens requiresa measure of hope and luck. Nature isunpredictable—hail may fall in June, or

first frost may arrive weeks earlier thanexpected. Persevering with patience andgood humor will increase your pleasurein the beauty you generated and allowyou, the plants and wildlife, to become apart of the rhythmical changes of theseasons.

They may bebeautiful, they may

attract wildlife,they may even be

sold in stores:

But AVOIDTHESE

NON-NATIVE

PLANTS!!!

✻ Butter and Eggs-toadflax✻ Russion Olive✻ Bachelor Buttons✻ Purple Loosestrife✻ Toadflax✻ Euphorbia✻ Bouncing Bet✻ Ivy✻ Butterfly Bush✻ Russian Sage✻ Scotchbroom

✻

http://www.idahoweedawareness.org

For more information onIdaho’s weeds, visit:

Purple loosestrife

Scotchbroom, J.S. Peterson, USDA NRCSPLANTS database

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Supplemental Bird FeedingYou can increase the number and varietyof birds that visit your yard by offering

them food beyond the bountysupplied by the plants in your

yard. Research indicates thatmore than 50 millionAmericans enjoyproviding supplementalfood for birds. Somebirds will be year-roundvisitors to your feederwhile others will dine for

only a few days during theirmigration journeys. Your

choice of food and feeder typewill determine the species

attracted to your yard. Birds varywidely in their food preferences,

and feeders are available in adizzying variety of styles andsizes. You can start byattracting a broadassortment of birds orspecialize in inviting afavorite species. Patienceis a virtue when trying toattract birds, so don’t get

discouraged if you don’thave flocks of songbirds

descending on a feeder youplaced a week ago. Learn about the

birds already in your neighborhood andstart by attracting those.

When feeding seeds, providing eachtype of seed separately is

usually better than settingout a commercial mixture.Even in higher qualitymixtures, the mostdesirable seeds will beeaten preferentially, whileless attractive seeds will

be tossed out and go towaste. Seeds commonly

found in low quality seedmixtures, but are not eaten,

include canary seed, wheat, oats,and milo.

Black sunflower seeds are by far the mostdesirable to the widest variety of nativebirds in Idaho. The high fat content inblack oil sunflower seeds put them at thetop of the food list for many birds suchas finches, grosbeaks, chickadees,nuthatches, and sparrows. The thickershells of striped sunflower seeds preventsome birds from getting at the meatsinside. Hull-less sunflowers are alsoavailable, but spoil quickly when they getwet.

Other highly desirable foods for Idahobirds include white millet, peanuts, andNyjer. The millet will attract juncos,mourning doves, lazuli buntings, andcowbirds. Peanuts are a favorite of jays,woodpeckers, and flickers. Nyjer (alsoknown as thistle seed) appeals to pinesiskins, goldfinches, and chickadees.

Dried corn, as whole kernels, crackedpieces, or still on the cob, make a tastymeal for many upland game birds such asquail and pheasants. Don’t use corncovered with a pink coating—the coatingis capstan, a fungicide that prevents seedfrom molding after planting, and can killbirds or other animals that eat the corn.

Other foods that you may wish to try inyour yard include safflower, poppedpopcorn, and walnut meats. Safflowerseeds are generally ignored by nuisancebirds such as house sparrows andstarlings, and squirrels tend to dislikethem, too. So if non-native birds orsquirrels are marauding your sunflowerfeeders, switching to safflower seeds maydiscourage these pests. Popped popcorn

Dark-eyedjunco, Dave Herr,USFWS

15

California quail,Bruce Haak,IDFG

Mealworms

and walnut meats can lure birds to yourfeeders that would otherwise fly right by.Try it and see what happens!

Suet serves as a treat for many birds,including woodpeckers, chickadees,wrens, and nuthatches. Raw beef fat canbe melted, the pieces of meat removed,and the remaining fat frozen. The suet canbe frozen into cakes that fit into acommercially available wire basket, or youcan place lumps of suet in a cloth net.Peanut butter is another fatty treat forbirds such as woodpeckers. The suet orpeanut butter can be mixed with cornmeal, fruit pieces, sunflower meats, orsmall seeds. Mountain ash berries makea tasty addition to suet.

Feeding suet is mainly a cool weatheractivity. The fat boosts birds’ energyreserves during periods of coldtemperatures when other food is scarce.And in summer’s heat, even commerciallyavailable suet cakes will liquefy in thesoaring temperatures of a southern Idahodesert summer.

Not all birds eat seeds, and some seed-eaters also pursue other fare such as fruitand insects. Offering a wide variety offood will draw those omnivorous birdsnever seen at seed feeders. Halvedoranges, peaches, grapefruit, or nectarinesdraw in the fruit lovers such as northernorioles, cedar waxwings, warblers, andtanagers. Grapes are also popular. Driedfruit, such as raisins, should soak in waterfor 30 minutes before setting out. Grapejelly attracts orioles and can be set outin shallow pans or cups. More “exotic”fruits, such as watermelon, bananas,cantaloupe, mangos, and papaya, can catchthe attention of rarely glimpsed birds,especially during the spring and fallmigrations.

Insect eaters, like the popular bluebirdand lazuli bunting, will flock to an offeringof mealworms served up on a platform.

Pet stores and bait shops usually sellmealworms. Some people use cleantuna cans mounted on a board,stump, or branch. If you’d liketo provide insects, but don’tenjoy handling mealworms,blocks of wood orcardboard with tiny holescontaining mealworms arecommercially available andmimic the waywoodpeckers and otherbirds search for grubs undertree bark.

In addition to food, you can help outbirds by providing the grit they need todigest their meals. Birds do not have teeth;instead they eat tiny pieces of grit thathelp grind up food in their gizzard.Crushed eggshells make excellent grit forbirds, but should be cooked at2000F for an hour to kill anymicroorganisms. The shells canbe offered on a platform orspread on the ground. Settingout a dish of sand in your yardwill also help birds satisfy thisneed.

Remember feeding wildlife,other than birds, is notrecommended. If food set outfor birds is being eaten by otherwildlife, move the food to asafer location or discontinuefeeding.

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Types of Feedersfrom the elements. In general, fly-throughfeeders are best used for seeds. Insect-eating birds notice movement of their prey,so don’t hide mealworms with a roof!Fruit is best offered on an open platformor simply attached to tree braches.

Hopper feeders have a seed reservoirthat continuously supplies seed at thebottom for perching birds. Sunflowerseeds, millet, corn, and peanuts work wellin hopper feeders. Some hopper feedersalso contain a cage for suet cakes on oneor both sides.

Tube feedersare cylindricalor squaretubes thathold seedaccessed byholes along thefeeder, and generallyare constructed ofeither plastic or metal.The type of seedappropriate for a tubefeeder depends uponthe size of the access hole. Peanuts requirelarge holes, while sunflower meats can fitthrough much smaller holes.

Some tube feeders contain tiny slits thatare the perfect size for Nyjer seed.Although Nyjer can be offered in a hopper

feeder, its expense usuallyprompts bird lovers tooffer it in a special Nyjerseed feeders so less seedgoes to waste. Tube feederswith the perches set abovethe holes instead of belowthem allow only birds thatwill eat Nyjer while hangingup side down (goldfinchesand pine siskins) to get atthe seeds, discouragingnon-native birds fromeating up all the Nyjer seed.

Ground platform feeder(left), Pat The BirdMan™ www.BirdMan-Inc.com

Havahart Deluxe DomeFeeder (model #213VG)by WoodstreamCorporationwww.havahart.com

Flythrough feeder (right)

Feeder designs can accommodate anyyard, budget, and ambition. Variety stores,pet stores, and feed and grain stores allsell feeders. But you’re likely to find thelargest selection and most knowledgeablepeople at shops that specialize in birdwatching. Many fine feeders, from simpleto elaborate, also can be built at home.

Other than spreading seed on the ground,platform feeders are among thesimplest methods for feeding birds.Platform feeders are trays with a lip thatkeeps seeds, fruit, and insects inside. Theycan be set on the ground, hung from atree branch or pole, or mounted on arailing or windowsill. Coconut shells cutin half, plastic flying disks, and plastic trayscan function as platform feeders as wellas the wooden feeders you can buy. Ideally,the base of platform feeders for seeds orfruit should be mesh (orscreen) or should includedrainage holes to allowwater to drain, reducingthe risk of food moldingafter a rain. Platforms formealworms need to besolid and incorporate a liptall enough to prevent thelarvae from crawling out.

Add a roof to a platformfeeder and you get a fly-through feeder. Theroof protects the food

Local wild bird supplies:Bird House & Habitat12598 W. Fairview Ste 101Boise, ID 83713208-375-8051www.feederbirds.com

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Suet feeders are wire baskets sized tohold commercially available suet cakes.To protect the suet from the weather,some feeders come with a roof, whichhas the added advantage of allowing onlyclinging birds, such as nuthatches andwoodpeckers, to get at the food. Home-made ways to offer suet and/or peanutbutter is in pinecones, in holes drilled intologs, or in bottle caps nailed to a post.

Feeders are best placed where birds cansee danger (a cat, for example) lurkingnear, but still have access to cover. Keepin mind that the area under a feeder willget messy with hulls (unless you feed onlyseed meats) and bird droppings. Domes,called baffles, placed above hangingfeeders or below feeders mounted onpoles discourage squirrels from raidingthe seed.

Many birds (such as pheasant) takeoccasional dust baths to help removeparasites from their bodies. Providing apatch of finely ground soil allows birdsto satisfy this need.

Adding hummingbird feeders to youryard can complement your gardenflowers. You may want to start with amixture of one part sugar to three partswater to attract the birds at first, and then

lower the concentration to one partsugar to four parts water. Do not usered food dye in the mixture—the dye isn’tgood for the birds and most feeders arered so the hummers find them easily. Also,never usehoney, whichcan becomecontaminatedwith botulism.H a n ghummingbirdfeeders in theshade to slowfermentation ofthe sugar water.To preventmold fromgrowing in thefeeder, empty,clean, and refillfeeders at least once a week or everytwo to three days in very hot weather.Hummingbirds are quite territorial anddefend their feeders fiercely. Therefore,if you want to attract as many hummersinto your yard as possible, place thefeeders out of sight of each other.Locating one at each of the compasspoints on your property usually works.

All feeders require athorough cleaning once amonth to prevent diseasesfrom infecting your feedervisitors. Some commondiseases birds contract atbird feeders include AvianC o n j u n c t i v i t i s ,Salmonellosis andTrichomoniasis. Symptomsof Conjuctivitis include red,swollen, watery, or crustyeyes. Avian Pox is another disease thatcan be recognized by wart-like growthson any non-feathered part of a bird.Salmonellosis and Trichomoniasis aredifficult to detect, but birds may havebehavior symptoms that include lethargy,disorientation, and lack of coordination.

Red-breasted nuthatch,Bill Pilcher

Cats kill over 1 billion birdsin the U.S. each year. Bykeeping your cat inside,birds will be safer in youryard. For more information,visit the American BirdConservancy website athttp://www.abcbirds.orgPhoto by Sara Focht, IDFG

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Hanging bird silhouettes on large picture windows or windows near feeders will help prevent birds from crashing into yourwindows. Hanging an old CD or some shiny ribbon near your window are some other methods to prevent window collisions. Birdcut-outs can easily be made from home or purchased commercially. Photo Courtesy: Whispering Pines, www.wpines.com

Downey woodpeck at suet feeder

If you observe diseased birds at yourfeeder, take your feeder downimmediately to stop contamination ofother birds.

Most feeders can handle a soak in milddishwashing detergent followed by a dipin 10% bleach water and air dried beforerefilling. Once a year, change the locationof the feeder to separate birds fromaccumulated droppings on the ground.Throughout the year, clean up under thefeeder and store feed in secure containersto prevent contamination from rodentsand mold.

Although widespread feeding of wild birdsallow some species to extend thenorthern limits of their range, noevidence indicates that supplementalfeeding harms populations by enticingbirds to over-winter in an area when theyshould migrate south. By feeding birdsyear-round, you’ll become more closelyconnected to the patterns of nature’s

changes, learn the permanent residentsfrom the seasonal visitors, and enjoy theactive chatter of many bird voices as theyshare your space.

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Photo by Carina DeWitt,Hidden Springs, Idaho

Snag, Rick McMullen

Helping Birds Find a HomeMany bird species rely on hollow, dead,standing trees (snags) to nest in. As aproperty owner, you may need to removestanding dead trees to protect yourproperty, collect firewood, or reduce firedanger around your house. If you can leavesnags in your yard, you will notice thefrequent use they get. If you cannot leavesnags, or simply don’t have any, you can helpout some of your feathered neighbors bysupplying bird houses in which to lay eggsand raise young. However, if you live in anurban or suburban area, you need to keepan eye on the bird houses you place onyour property. Non-native birds (starlingsand English [or house] sparrows) often takeover bird houses, preventing the nativebirds from nesting. If this happens, open thebird house, clean out the starling or housesparrow nest, and destroy any eggs. Thesenon-native birds are not protected underthe Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Just as in human real estate, location iscritical to attracting birdhouse tenants. Themost wonderful house will go unused ifplaced in a spot that allows predators easyaccess, bakes in the summer heat, orpermits rain to blow in from the prevailingwinds. Face the birdhouse entrance to thesouth or east. Those who live in thesouthern Idaho desert country can alsoorient the birdhouse entrance toward thenorth.

A birdhouse mounted on a pole is safe frommost predators and can be moved relativelyeasily if it does not attract occupants aftera year or so. Another effective method ofmounting a birdhouse includes suspensionfrom a wire or stout string. Attaching thebird house to the trunk of a live tree or adead snag is also acceptable, but works bestwith larger birdhouses such as those forowls, wood ducks, or kestrels.

Wood is the best material for birdhouses,especially ¾” red cedar because of its ability

to withstand prolonged exposure to theweather. Pine and plywood are alsoserviceable materials, but will not lastas long. Leaving the wood natural maymake the house more attractive topotential residents, but you can paint theoutside (only) with latex paint to prolongits life. A tan, gray, or dull green colorallows the house to blend into thenatural environment. Avoid treatedwood that can harm birds and metal thatheats up in the sun and could bake thebirds inside.

The feature of a birdhouse mostimportant for determining who will nestinside is the size of the entrance hole. Seethe table on the next page for a list ofentrance hole sizes and the birds that willuse them. When constructing a birdhouse,drill the entrance hole on an upward slantto minimize the amount of rain thatenters the hole. Each box should contain¼” holes (about 4) in the floor to drainany water that gets in and a ¼” holetoward the top of two side panels toallow air circulation. Roughening up theinside surfaces by cutting grooves helpsthe young birds reach the opening whenthey’re ready to fledge.

The house should have a removable roofor wall, to allow annual cleaning and theremoval of non-native birds if necessary.A removable or hinged roof allows a lookinside the box without harming any eggsor hatchlings inside. If the panel thatopens is hinged, wire it shut. Raccoonsquickly learn to open an unsecured panelor one that closes with a hook. Don’tattach a perch—native birds don’t needone and predators can use them to stakeout the entrance only to attack the birdwhen it emerges.

At the end of the summer, open up thebird house, clean out the nesting material,and wipe out the box with a dilute bleach

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Bird house dimension specifications: Contact your local Idaho Fish and Game office fordetailed birdhouse plans.

Bird Species House House Hole Entrance MountingFloor Size (in.) Height (in.) Above Floor (in.) Hole Diameter (in.) Height (feet)

Western Bluebird 4 x 6 8–12 7 1 9/16 4–6

Mountain Bluebird 6 x 6 9 7 1 9/16 4–10

Tree or Violet-green Swallow 4 x 6 6–8 1–5 1 1/2 10–12

Downy Woodpecker 4 x 4 8–10 6–8 1 1/4 6–20

Chickadee 4 x 4 8–10 6–8 1 1/8 6–15

Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 x 4 8–10 6–8 1 1/4 12–20

House Wren 4 x 4 6–8 4–6 1 1/4 5–10

Northern Flicker 7 x 7 16–18 14–16 2 1/2 6–20

Kestrel 8 x 8 16–18 13–15 3 15–20

Screech Owl 8 x 8 12–15 9–12 3 10–30

Barn Owl 10 x 18 15–18 6 >6 12–18

Wood Duck 10 x 18 10–24 middle Oval–3 high/4 wide 6–8 over water10–20 feet over land

Nest buildingmaterials you can

provide✻ Dead twigs✻ Dead leaves✻ Dry grass✻ Yarn or string—cut into

4 to 8-inch pieces✻ Human or animal hair

(especially horse hair)✻ Fur (dog or cat fur)✻ Sheep’s wool✻ Feathers✻ Plant fluff or down

(cattail fluff, cottonwooddown)

✻ Kapok, cotton batting, orother stuffing material

✻ Moss✻ Bark strips✻ Pine needles✻ Thin strips of cloth, about

1 inch wide by 6 incheslong

✻ Shredded paper

Black-capped chickadee

solution. These actions will eliminate pestssuch as fleas and prevent the spread ofdisease. Bird houses can over winteroutside or be brought indoors. If youstore them inside during the winter, besure to place them outside very early inthe spring.

The size of your property will limit thenumber of bird houses. In general, oneacre can support one large birdhouse andfour small birdhouses (designed for fourdifferent species). The smaller birdhousesshould be 75 to 100 yards apart. For mosturban and suburban dwellers, theselimitations mean that a yard can hold onlyone bird house.

Some birds prefer a nesting shelf that youcan attach to a wall of your house or to apole. A three-sided box approximately8" square with a roof and an open frontplaced 6 to 15 feet off the ground isappropriate for a robin or Say’s phoebe.An osprey might be coaxed to constructa nest on a 4 x 4 foot platform mountedat least 20 feet above the ground if youlive adjacent to a river or large lake.

However, avoid placing nesting platformsnear clusters of live power poles or otherman-made structures that may beunsuitable for nesting. A barn swallowmay surprise you by building a mud nestunder a platform you provide.

For birds that prefer to build nests intrees, you can hang out a mesh bagcontaining a variety of nesting materials,such as short lengths of string or yarn,wool, feathers, and small twigs. Do notprovide plastic of any kind. Birds that usemud to construct their nests benefit froma small area of dirt kept wet throughoutthe nesting season.

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Bat HousesFourteen different species of bats callIdaho home. Bats are beneficial animals,some eating up to 600 mosquitoes perhour and others pollinating flowers. Bathouses have become quite popular, butit can be difficult to attract bats to usethem. Signs that you might be successfulgaining bat tenants include living within¼ mile of a year-round water source,having a large population of night flyinginsects, and having bats in theneighborhood.

Bat houses are narrow wooden boxeswith the opening at the bottom. The batsland at the opening and crawl up intothe house to roost during the day. Largerhouses that accommodate greaternumbers of bats often are moreattractive than small houses.

Bat houses are best mounted on a poleor on the side of a building at least 16feet above the ground. Locating a bathouse in a tree exposes the bats topredation. Bats like it hot. In areas ofIdaho where July temperatures averagebetween 80°F and 100°F, the bat houseshould receive at least 6 hours of direct

✻

sunlight. If average July temperatures arelower than 90°F, the bat house shouldreceive direct sunlight at least 10 hourseach day. Mounting the box with southernexposure can help increase temperaturesas well. Although it’sbest to leave bat housesunpainted, in higherelevations where Julytemperatures arerelatively low, paintingthe outside of the bathouse black with anontoxic latex paint canincrease the insidetemperature.

BatConservationInternational

http://www.batcon.org

Bat house, Pat The Bird Man™www.BirdMan-Inc.com

Bat box, IDFG

Myotis bat

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Insect SheltersButterflies seek shelterduring periods of stormyweather. You can providerefuge for wearybutterflies by hanging abutterfly house on a postor tree at least 15 feetabove the ground.Adding some tiny twigsand other natural debris,

such as crumbled leaves, inside the housecan help the butterflies feel more athome. Placing the house in a flowerbedand near a water source (such as a pondor bird bath) will increase the likelihoodthat butterflies find the house when theyneed it. Like butterflies, ladybugs also maytake shelter in a wooden box designedfor them.

Solitary bees and wasps are native insectsthat provide vital pollinator services inthe garden. Some also eat harmful insects,controlling pest populations in your yard.Mason bees are among these non-aggressive beneficial insects. Mason beesdo not dig nesting holes or build hives,

and so must find existing holesin which to lay eggs. You canprovide nesting sites for theseoften underappreciated insectsby drilling smooth holes into theside of a log or a block of woodabout one inch apart. Ideal holesize for mason bees is 5/16 inchin diameter with a depth of 6 to10 inches. Some peoplerecommend lining each hole witha thin cylinder of paper (thesecan even be purchasedcommercially for mason beenesting holes), but don’t useplastic straws inside the holebecause they prevent airexchange and promotecondensation. Mount the nesting

block on a pole or the side of a buildingat least three feet above the ground. If

birds or squirrels begin to show interestin the nests, you can place a barrier ofchicken wire around the front of thenesting block.

Other bees and wasps also nest in deepnarrow holes. You can experiment with ablock of wood containing holes of varioussizes, from 1/16 to 3/8 inch in diameter,and observe the most popular sizes.Aphid-eating solitary wasps and “onionbees” will use holes 1/8 to 3/16 inch wide.The wasps pack the holes with aphidsprior to laying eggs and so are a boon torose gardeners who often have problemswith aphids.

West coast lady, Kent Fothergill

Butterfly house, SusanZiebarth, IDFG

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Attracting Residents Requires PatienceObserving a pair of western bluebirdsferrying nesting materials into a birdhouseyou provided for them is thrilling andsatisfying. Similarly, seeing acrobatic batsdart to catch night flying insects is adelight. But be patient if your shelters donot gain residents quickly. It is not unusualfor a bat house to hang for two yearsbefore being discovered! You dramaticallyincrease the likelihood of drawing wildlifeby placing dwellings appropriate foranimals already living in the vicinity. Asyour knowledge of the neighboringwildlife grows, so will your success inattracting animals to share your property.

Reptile and Amphibian SheltersToads, frogs, and snakes devour insectsand rodents in the garden and yard.Because reptiles and amphibians are“cold-blooded,” their body temperaturedepends on air temperature and they canquickly overheat in the summer. Woodheaps, crude stone walls, and brush pilesfunction as fine shelters for amphibiansand reptiles, but you can also make orbuy shelters to place in flower beds orvegetable gardens.

Toad houses are quite popular. Westerntoads are found throughout Idaho andmake themselves welcome by eating massquantities of grasshoppers. An old clay

flowerpot six to eight inches in rimdiameter can make a charming toadhouse. Cut or chip a semi-circular pieceout of the rim of the pot big enough toallow for a tennis ball. Smooth any sharpedges with sandpaper.You can decorate thepot with latex paint orleave it natural, then setit, open side down, incorner of your yard.Placing a saucer of waternear the shelter willincrease its appeal toany toads or frogs inthe neighborhood.

Rubber boa, IDFGCoeur d’Alene salamander, IDFGWestern toad, Bruce Haak, IDFG

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Nuisance AnimalsOccasionally, the wildlife visiting yourproperty may become too much of a goodthing. Deer may decimate your tomatoplants. Gophers may nibble off the rootsof your peppers. Your deck may become ashelter for skunks. Even people whogenerally welcome wildlife may need todiscourage certain wildlife to protect

valuable plants or safeguardvegetable gardens.

Take steps to remove or excludeanimals from your yard onlywhen necessary. Even relocationcan cause harm by placing ananimal in unfamiliar territorywhere it must compete with anestablished population.

DeerMule and white-tailed deer,because of their size andnumbers, can inflict extensivedamage on carefully cultivatedvegetation. The most effectivemethod of preventing deerdamage is by restricting access,

which usually means fencing off thoseplants needing protection. To effectivelyguard an entire area, such as a vegetableplot or rose garden, a fence must be eightto ten feet high to keep these animals witha talent for jumping from going right overthe top. An electricwire strung severalfeet in front of ashorter fence alsocan discourage deerfrom jumping bydelivering a mildshock. You cansurround individualshrubs and trees withwelded or wovenwire fencing. Somefencing material has agreen vinyl coatingthat allows the fence

to blend in with vegetation, making it lessobtrusive.

If deer are causing damage by rubbingtheir antlers on tree trunks, plastic tubingslightly larger than the diameter of thetrunk can be placed around it. You canprotect delicate leaders on small treesby loosely stapling a rectangle cut fromstiff paper around the leader.

A thick nylon mesh—the type used toprotect fruit trees from birds damage—can be draped over rows of vegetablessuch as beans, or arranged over tomatoand pepper plants supported by cages.This method possesses severaldisadvantages, however. You must lift andresettle the mesh every few days toprevent plant stems from growingthrough the mesh where they will bevulnerable to browsing. Frequent checksof the covered plants also ensure thatbirds trapped under the mesh can befreed. Deer may simply walk over the topof the mesh in an effort to reach theplants, breaking stems and crushing fruit.

Repellents can be effective deerdeterrents for short periods of time;however, they are seldom long-termsolutions because deer becomehabituated to them. Some people rotatethrough a variety of repellent products,

which can increasetheir effectiveness.Many spray-onrepellents areavailable that repelby smelling or tastingbad—the mosteffective are thosethat do both,because deer mayeat vegetation thatsmells bad if they arehungry enough.Active ingredients in

✻

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You can makeyour own deer

repellent bymixing 2

tablespoons hotpepper sauce, 1

tablespoon liquiddishwashing soap,

and 1 teaspoongarlic powder intoa gallon of water.

Bear, ©Robert Volpe

many of the repellents include rotten eggwhites, garlic, and/or capsaicin (the essenceof hot pepper). Repellent sprays must bereapplied every month or so, more oftenduring periods of rain. Spray-on repellentsgenerally are not appropriate forvegetables.

Solid repellents placed in mesh bags andhung on shrubs or small trees can offersome protection for short periods. You canprepare your own solid repellents byadding human hair and pieces of bar soapto a mesh bag. However, deer in moreurban areas, which are used to the smellof humans, may not be deterred unlessputrid egg whites are added to the mix.Solid repellents can be placed throughoutgarden areas to protect plants that will beharvested for food.

Alarms are another type of deterrent,which can work with deer and raccoons.Alarms can consist of a loud sound, light,or moving object that startles the animals.The alarm must be unexpected, becausedeer quickly become accustomed toobjects such as scarecrows, flutteringribbons, aluminum plates, and lights on aregular cycle. Alarms connected to amotion sensor work best. One innovativeproduct combines a motion sensor with asprinkler. When a deer trips the motionsensor, the sprinkler activates, spraying andstartling the animals—while watering yourplants at the same time! Of course, thismethod isn’t appropriate when wintertemperatures dip below freezing. Noisealarms may not be appropriate if you haveclose neighbors.

Whatever method of deer-proofing youchoose, start early! Protecting your plants(and your financial investment) frombrowsers must be part of your plan fromthe beginning.

BearsMost people know that “a fed bear is adead bear.” This means that if bears getaccustomed to human food, or food found

near human houses, they usually need tobe lethally removed from the area. Youcan prevent this by cleaning upbirdfeeders, apples, and other fruitsources, compost garbage, and pet foodif you observe bears in your area. If youlive in an area shared with bears, youmight consider bird feeding only in thewinter, when the birds need it most andwhen the bears are inactive.

RaccoonsRaccoons are clever animals. They arenocturnal, feeding mainly at night, and areomnivores, eating a wide variety of plantand animal material,including nuts, fruit, fish,turtles, insects, and eggs.Raccoons oftenrummage throughgarbage cans looking forscraps and eat pet foodleft outside. Therefore,the first steps towarddiscouraging raccoonsare to bring pet food dishes inside atnight and keep garbage containers tightlycovered.

Raccoons can take up residence in achimney, which you can prevent only byexcluding them from entering. A sparkarrester or metal mesh placed across thechimney opening will keep raccoons out.If your chimney is already occupied,placing an open container of ammonia inyour fireplace should drive out theanimals, allowing you to closeoff entry.

Keeping raccoonsaway from fruit andout of pondscontaining fish orturtles can bedifficult. Coveringponds at night willprotect the aquaticanimals, but may not bepractical. You can drapenylon mesh over fruit trees,

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shrubs, and vines to prevent raccoonraids. If raccoons are a serious problemthey can be live-trapped and moved,however, this is not always the bestsolution. Relocated raccoons often returnto their home territory if movedrelatively short distances, they canbecome other people’s problems, or theyend up in habitat that is already occupiedby other raccoons (only so many animalscan live in a given piece of habitat).

SquirrelsAcrobatic squirrels are skilled atovercoming barriers designed to preventaccess to birdseed feeders. They can leapseveral feet horizontally from a tree trunkonto bird feeders hung from a branch.They can shimmy across rope or cableto reach a suspended feeder. Manymodels of bird feeders are designed todiscourage or prevent squirrels fromaccessing the contents.

Some feeders are equipped with perchesattached to a mechanism that allows alightweight songbird to reach the seed,but closes off the seed access openingwhen a heavier animal, such as a squirrel,places weight on it. Other feeder typeshave coated wire mesh encircling theseed reservoir. The mesh openings arelarge enough to allow passage of smallsongbirds, but prevent squirrels fromreaching the seed. High-tech feedersdeliver a mild electric shock to squirrelsthat contact two separate locations onthe feeder, but allow birds to feedunmolested. To discourage squirrels fromfeasting on seeds in standard feeders, you

can mount baffles above hanging feedersor below feeders mounted on a pole. Ifbird seed is stored outside, make sure tosecure it in a metal container to preventsquirrel raids.

Instead of keeping squirrels away fromall the feeders, some people set out treatsspecifically for squirrels. Watching asquirrel hang upside-down to eat driedcorn off a cob hung from a tree limb ordeck roof can be quite entertaining.Special squirrel feeders with lids orlatches force the animals to devise a wayof opening them to get at the tasty foodinside; peanuts are perfect for feeders ofthis sort.

Some people believe offering food forsquirrels makes them less likely to raidbird feeders. However, others swear thatproviding a squirrel feeder only increasesthe number of squirrels visiting the yardand ransacking the bird feeders. You canperform your own experiment to seewhat works in your yard.

If squirrels continue to be a problem, theycan be live-trapped and moved.Relocation of squirrels is a questionablepractice because of the stress placed onthe transported squirrels, increasedcompetition with local squirrels, potentialdisease transmission, and moving problemanimals to other’s property. Squirreldamage in yards, gardens, and orchardsis often difficult to control because newsquirrels arrive quickly to replace thosethat are removed. Note that ONLY non-native squirrels (eastern fox squirrel andeastern grey squirrel) can be legallytrapped and moved; the native red or pinesquirrel and the flying squirrel areprotected.

Pocket GophersPocket Gophers are burrowing animalsthat spend most of their livesunderground. They are vegetarians andcan cause extensive damage in a vegetable

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or flower garden by eating entirevegetable plants. A gopher can even killsmall trees by eating the roots. Gophersremain active through the winter andstore food in their burrows to eat duringthe cold months. Being relatively solitaryanimals, usually only one will inhabit anarea (unless you have several acres).

Despite these “bad” qualities, gophersmay do more good than harm in youryard. They help compost vegetation,aerate the soil, and their burrows providehabitat for other animals. If you only haveone gopher, consider letting it stay.

An effective non-lethal method ofavoiding gopher damage is to line raisedbeds with ½ inch wire mesh. Noisedevices can be effective in keepinggophers away. Re-location, on the otherhand, usually leads to death. Gassingcartridges are available, but use neargardens is not recommended due to thetoxic residue left in the soil. Metal gophersnap-traps are usually effective when usedas recommended.

Other Mammals Trees along streams can be protectedfrom beaver damage by surrounding tree

trunks with metal fencing or hardwarecloth 3½ feet high. Rabbits can beexcluded from gardens by fencing themoff with a tightly woven fence, 2 to 3 feethigh. Alternatively, you can minimizerabbit damage to vegetables by plantinga patch of clover or alfalfa in an area ofyour property away from your gardento lure rabbits away. Skunks may beattracted to pet food left outside or mayseek shelter in a close dark space suchas the area under a porch or deck.Keeping food indoors at night andblocking access to dark inviting spaceswill discourage skunks from hanging outin your yard.

BirdsBirds can become unwelcome guests inseveral ways. A great blue heron maypluck expensive koi out of a meticulouslydeveloped backyard pond. Awoodpecker hammering on the woodeneve of a house may wake up thehousehold at first light.Pigeons roosting alongthe gutters can litter aporch or deck with theirdroppings. Nearly allbirds, includingwoodpeckers, areprotected by the federalMigratory Bird TreatyAct and cannot beharmed. However,others (Europeanstarlings, English [house] sparrows, androck doves [pigeons] are not protectedand can be removed.

A wide variety of products are availableto discourage birds from roosting in areaswhere they are not wanted. Wire spikesor coils placed on ledges, gutters, orbeams prevent birds from landing. Formore delicate roosting spots, such assecurity cameras or light fixtures, a devicewith a slender spray of arms thwartsbirds from landing.

✻

Northern flicker, Justin Barrett, IDFG

SkunkDeodorizer for

Dogs1 quart 3% hydrogen

peroxide1/4 cup baking soda1 teaspoon liquid soap

European starling

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Three approaches are available tomanage the problem ofwoodpeckers drilling holes in thewooden siding of your home:

✻ You can deter birds from landingby stretching netting across thearea where they tend to peck.✻ Devices available to startle birdsinclude ribbons that hum in a slightbreeze when stretched tightly,reflective streamers, and balloons

patterned with a large eye tofrighten the woodpeckers.✻ Holes already bored intothe siding can be filled with anontoxic , quick-settingmaterial that releases anunpleasant smell and tasteupon pecking, discouragingfurther hole making.

All swallows enjoy specialprotection under the law. You cannotdisturb them once they lay eggs. Whatyou can do is remove the abandoned mudnests in the winter and exclude themfrom returning by angling 3/4”netting

across the eaves toprevent access.

RattlesnakesWestern and PrairieRattlesnakes are theonly venomous snakesin Idaho. All othersnakes are harmless tohumans and pets andshould be welcomeguests in your yard.You can identify arattlesnake by itstriangular head and

distinctive rattle at the end of its tail.However, it is easy to mistake aninnocuous gopher snake for a rattlesnake.Gopher snakes possess a skin patternsimilar to that of rattlesnakes and whenthreatened, can coil, hiss, and “buzz” thetip of their tails against the ground,

producing a “rattle” sound. The slenderhead of the gopher snake and the tail thattapers to a thin tip are the keys todistinguishing between the two reptiles.

With caution and awareness, people canco-exist peacefully with rattlesnakes. Thesnakes are generally reclusive and oftenare encountered only when disturbed intheir hiding spot, such as in a firewoodpile or under a porch. However, if yourhousehold includes young children orpets that spend a lot of time outdoors,you may want to have a rattlesnake onyour property relocated. Call your localIdaho Fish and Game office. Each officehas someone trained to capture andrelocate rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are aprotected nongame species in Idaho; donot kill them unless you feel threatendby their presence. They are a necessarycomponent of the ecosystem and, if youtake the time to observe them, you maybegin to see a certain grace and beautyin their supple movements.

InsectsOf the multitude of insect speciesinhabiting your yard, only a few are trulypests. Many harmful insects can be keptunder control by maintaining a healthyenvironment. Large insects thatcommonly attack garden plants – tomatohornworms, potato beetles, cabbagemoth caterpillars – can be controlled bypicking them off of the plants if yourgarden plot is not huge. You can set outtraps for yellow jackets baited with fruit

Pigeons are common, butnot native. These birds,along with starlings(previous page) and housesparrows are notprotected under theMigratory Bird TreatyAct.

Gopher snake: slenderhead, no rattle.

Western rattlesnake: widehead, rattle on tail. Photoby Loren Thomas

Netting under house eaves, Falcon Services,Inc. http://www.falcon services.com

29

and meat to keep numbers under control.Dormant oil sprayed on fruit trees in thewinter is a preventive measure that cansmother overwintering insect eggs.However, if you need to deal with aserious insect outbreak, be careful notto destroy the beneficial insects alongwith the harmful ones. Before you reachfor the chemical insecticide, try a naturalcontrol method first.

Nurseries often sell insect predators thatcan control an infestation if released nearthe pest insects. Ladybugs prey on aphids,while a praying mantis will eat flies,mosquitoes, grasshoppers, and moths.Long-term control of insect pests may beaided by setting out praying mantis eggcases. Recommended coverage to achievecontrol involves three egg cases for every5,000 square feet of yard.

For some insects, such as grasshoppersand the caterpillars that attack cabbage,broccoli, and cauliflower plants, productscontaining a disease organism adaptedspecifically for the pest insect can reducetheir numbers. In the orchard, insectscan be controlled by products thatdisrupt mating or by devices that attractand trap insects.

Natural control products require a bitof patience, because they take time toreduce the population of pest insects. Inaddition, they do not completelyeliminate all of the members of an insectpest population. Instead of eliminating allof the pests, natural controls return thenumbers of pest insects back to a morebalanced level, allowing them to be keptin check by prey animals.

Pesticide UseAreas in ecological balance resist plant and animal pest infestations. However, creatingthat level of balance in a backyard, or even on a large property, may be difficult. Pestpopulations from neighboring properties where synthetic chemicals are heavily usedmay end up causing problems on your property. However, the health of the environmentand the plants and animals inhabiting it—including your family—benefit from eliminatingor minimizing pesticide use.

If you use a pesticide to manage a problem in your yard, follow these guidelines:

✻ Positively identify the animal or plant you want to control.✻ Look at labels and choose the most specific chemical available. Buy only as much

chemical as you need.✻ Mix the pesticide as recommended. If you use kitchen utensils such as spoons or

measuring cups for mixing the pesticide, do not return them to the kitchen, evenafter washing.

✻ Wear protective clothing, such as goggles and gloves, while mixing and applyingpesticides. Mix chemicals outside or in an open garage with fresh air ventilation.

✻ Avoid eating or drinking while mixing or applyingpesticides.

✻ If you are using a pesticide spray, choose a calm day toprevent drift of the chemicals.

✻ Dispose of any remaining chemicals according to thehazardous waste guidelines in your county. Mostcounties have hazardous waste disposal locations.Do not dump chemicals down drains in your houseor on neighborhood streets!

For help withweed

identification visithttp://

www.idaho.edu/weeds/Erickson/

Erickson.htm

Idaho MasterGardener http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/

mg

✻

IdahoDepartment ofEnvironmentalQuality Waste

DisposalServices http://www.deq.state.id.us/waste/index.cfm

www.pesticide.orgNorthwest

Coalition forAlternatives toPesticies is an

organization thatcan help you findnatural means ofcontroling pests.

30

Certifying Your YardIn the process of establishing a wildlife-inviting yard, the National Wildlife Federation(NWF) can offer encouragement, answers to your questions, provide resources forimplementation, and link you with a community of like-minded citizens who havecertified their yards as Backyard Wildlife Habitats. NWF has been certifying backyardhabitats since 1973. More than 60,000 certificates have been awarded throughoutthe United States and in other countries including Germany, Japan, and Argentina. Youcan obtain information online at http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat, call 703-438-6100, or write:

National Wildlife FederationBackyard Wildlife Habitat Information

11100 Wildlife Center DriveReston, VA 20190

To certify your property as a backyard wildlife habitat, you answera series of questions about the plants on your land, water features,shelter opportunities, and the animals that visit your yard.Certification confers privileges such as the ability to display asign informing your neighbors that your yard is a welcomingplace for local wildlife, enrollment into a community of otherpeople aware of wildlife values, and the potential to mentorothers (become a “Habitat Steward”) in your neighborhoodabout the benefits and joys of a wildlife-friendly yard. Peoplewho certify their yards also receive a lifetime subscription tothe newsletter Habitats and a one-year membership in theNational Wildlife Federation.

Posting a sign signifying your yard as a certified wildlife habitat can help initiate aconversation with a neighbor who may question that patch of native grasses you“allow” on your property or who may be uneasy about the hawks who feed on anoccasional songbird visiting the birdfeeders. It also offers the opportunity to join withother residents of your town or city to get your municipality recognized as aCommunity Wildlife Habitat, such as the residents of Hidden Springs, Idaho havedone.

If your place of employment includes property that can be modified to attract wildlife,you could lead an effort to get the grounds certified as a Workplace Habitat (such asthe James A. McClure Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Boise). Schoolsalso can join in the fun by recruiting children, teachers, and volunteers to develop theproperty as a Schoolyard Habitat; in the process students learn the benefits of wildlife,gain knowledge about ecology and environmental sciences, and gain confidence withthe accomplishment.

No matter what stage of development your personal habitat is in, the National WildlifeFederation offers information, inspirational stories and photos, access to expertswho can answer your questions, and even seven online courses in subjects from“Habitat Basics” to “Sustainable Gardening Practices” for which you can receive collegecredit. In addition, you can share the unique wildlife adventures and wisdom gainedfrom improving the health of your own piece of earth.

http://www.nwf.org

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AcknowledgementsWriter: Maria EssigEditor: Sara Focht (IDFG)Designer: Alyssa Jones (IDFG)Reviewers: Beth Waterbury (IDFG), Susan Ziebarth (IDFG), Diane Evans-Mack(IDFG), Trish Heekin (LSWCD)Lauri Hanauska-Brown (IDFG), Susie Headlee (Habitat Steward, NWF), Chuck Harris (IDFG)Photos: Thank you to all who generously donated photos for this publication. Any photo without a credit waspurchased on istockphotos.com.GIS map: Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information SystemQuestions, comments, corrections:Nongame, Endangered and Watchable Wildlife ProgramP.O. Box 25Boise, ID 83707info@idfg.idaho.gov(208)334-2920

Idaho Fish and Game Regional OfficesPanhandle Region2750 Kathleen Ave.Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815(208) 769-1414

Clearwater Region3316 16th St.Lewiston, ID 83501(208) 799-5010

Yellow-headed blackbird,Kent Fothergill

Southwest Region3101 S. Powerline Rd.Nampa, ID 83688(208) 564-8465

Magic Valley Region319 S. 417 E.Jerome, ID 83338(208) 324-4359

Southeast Region1345 Barton Rd.Pocatello, ID 83204-1819(208) 232-4703

Upper Snake Region4279 Commerce CircleIdaho Falls, ID 83401(208) 525-7290

Salmon RegionP.O. Box 133699 Hwy 93 N.Salmon, ID 83467(208) 756-2271

Headquarters600 S. WalnutP.O. Box 25Boise, ID 83707(208) 334-2920

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

32

Idaho Native PlantsCommon Name Scientific Name NotesConifersWestern Red Cedar Thuja plicata Not good in Snake River Plain-good in NILodgepole Pine Pinus contorta Cover and seeds-CI in high elevations-NI low elelvationsPonderosa Pine Pinus ponderosa Native to CI and NI-dry sites-cover, seed, snagsUtah Juniper Juniperus osteosperma food and shelter-SIRocky Mountain Juniper Juniperus scopularum food and shelter-SIDouglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii grows tall-dry tollerant-seeds, snag, coverCI, NIEngelman Spruce Picea engelmannii Cover-needs moist site-CI, NIWhite Fir Abies concolor

Deciduous TreesQuaking Aspen Populus tremuloides Food and shelterCottonwood Populus deltoides Gets bigHackberry Celtis reticulata BerriesSandbar or Coyote Willow Salix exigua Likes waterWater Birch Betula occidentalis Catkins are attractive for finchesThin-leaf or Sitka Alder Alnus sinuata Catkins are attractive for finchesMountain Mahagony Cercocarpus ledifolius Beautiful plant, thermal coverRocky Mountain Ash Sorbus scopulina berries for birds-CI, NIRed-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea Distinctive red bark-CI, NI

ShrubsSkunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata Towhees love this plant-SIBitterbrush Purshia tridentata Flowers/insects/food-SIBig Sage Artemesia tridentata Sparrows love the cover and seedsRabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseous Excellent fall color and nectar-CI, SIChokecherry Prunus virginianus Spring flowers/fall berries/insectsBlue Elderberry Sambucus cerula Spring flowers/fall berriesRed Elderberry Sambucus racemosa Spring flowers/fall berriesRocky Mountain Maple Acer glabrum CoverRed Twig Dogwood Cornus stolonifera Spring flowers/fall berriesBuckbrush (shiny-leaf ceanothus) Ceanothus velutinus CoverKinnikinik Arcostaphylos uva-ursi One of the finest ground covers knownThimble Berry Rubus parviflorus Cover/great berries-cool moist sitesHuckleberry Vaccinium globulare Cover/great berriesGolden Current Ribes aureum Cover/great berriesBittercherry Prunus emarginata Dry tolerant-berries for birdsSyringa Philadelphus lewisii Perfumed white flowers-Idaho State flowerOregon Grape Berberis repens, Northern Idaho-grows near ground

mahonia repensDouglas Hawthorn Crataegus douglasiiMallow Ninebark Physiocarpus malvaceus CI, NICreeping Barberry Mohonia repens Ground cover-

evergreen-CI, NIDouglas’s Spirea douglasii pink flower clusters,

cover, insects-CI, NI

NI-North IdahoCI-Central IdahoSI-South Idaho

Susie Headlee,Hidden Springs, Idaho

3

Native Idaho PlantsCommon Name Scientific Name NotesFlowersRocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus Nectar/insectsOrange Sneezeweed Helenium hoopesii Nectar/seedsAnnual Sunflower Helianthus annuus Nectar/seeds-CI, NILittle Sunflower Helianthella uniflora good for game birdsRocky Mountain Beeplant Cleome serrulata Nectar/insects-NI, CISilver Lupine Lupinus argenteus Nectar/insectsSilky Lupine Lupinus sericeusBigleaf Lupine Lupinus sericeus All of Idaho, moist meadowsRed Columbine Aquilegia formosa Nectar/insects-wooded settingFirecracker Penstemon Penstemon eatoniiTapertip Penstemon Penstemon attenuatusClearwater Penstemon Penstemon venustus Nectar/insects-CI, SIRocky Mountain Iris Iris missourensis purple-white flowers-needs wet springCommon Camas Camassia quamash purple to white flowers-needs wet springWild Blue Flax Linum perenne lewisii seeds, nectarScarlet Gilia Ipomopsis aggregata nectar/hummingbirds-all IdahoTall or Slender Cinquefoil Potentilla gracilis seeds, nectarWestern Aster Aster occidentalis seeds, insects-late season purple bloomWyethí s Buckwheat Eriogonum heracleoides seeds, attractive ground cover-butterflies-CI, NI

FernsLady fern Athyrium filix-femina tall-needs a lot of waterSword fern Polystichum muitum Northern Idaho-fairly drought resistant

GrassesIndian Rice Grass Achnatherum hymenoidesGreat Basin Wild Rye Leymus cincereus seeds-SI on dry sites-CI, NI moist sitesIdaho Fescue Festuca idahoensis Seeds-PalouseNeedle and Thread Stipa comata Seeds-PalouseBluebunch Wheatgrass Agropyron spicatum Native to PalousePrairie Junegrass Koeleria cristata seeds-shiny golden appearance

Table credits: Chuck Harris, Sara Focht, Trish Herkin, KentFothergill

IDAHOIDAHO

FISH

& GAME

FISH

& GAME

Idaho Fish and Game adheres to all applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to discrimination on the basis of race, color, nationalorigin, age, gender, disability or veteran’s status. If you feel you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility of Idaho Fish and

Game, or if you desire further information, please write to: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 OR U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, Division of Federal Assistance, Mailstop: MBSP-4020, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203

Telephone: (703) 358-2156.

Yellow warbler, by Charles Harris, IDFG