Keep Your Yard Bird-Friendly: Avoid Pesticides and Insecticides

Keep Your Yard Bird-Friendly: Avoid Pesticides and Insecticides Featured Image

Those of us who love to attract and feed birds are always looking for ways to make our yards a positive environment for our feathered friends. Cole’s would like to provide you with a few tips for creating a bird-friendly yard. First, let’s talk about chemicals in your yard. Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides can be damaging, even deadly to birds. According to Audubon.org, some seven million birds die each year from exposure to lawn pesticides. With sales of these products only increasing, what can you do to keep your lawn looking good without using toxic chemicals? First of all, experts say – know your enemies. If you don’t have a pest problem, you may not want to use preventive pesticides. Keep in mind, attracting certain natural “allies” such as dragonflies and wasps as well as bats can help to keep certain pests away. Also consider plants that are natural to your area because they will have more natural resistance to pests. When it comes using pesticides in your yard, before picking up a chemical spray, consider the benefits of pulling up the weeds yourself. It may require a little elbow grease, but you may be able to keep your yard free from harsh chemicals and much healthier for the birds. If you do have a need for using pesticides, you may want to research new, less toxic alternatives.