Check out some new videos on baffles, birdbaths, and hummingbird feeders!

Baffles

Birdbaths

Hummingbird Feeders

The Sky Cafe is one of the best squirrel proof feeders that works without any electronics whatsoever. Watch the cute video below and you’ll see what we mean. Squirrels absolutely can’t get to the seed if they approach the feeder from the top and try to climb down.

That doesn’t mean that a squirrel can’t jump from the ground and get to the seed that way. Squirrels are able to jump at least five feet straight up! No feeder is protected if its base is less than five feet off the ground. If squirrels are a problem, we recommend hanging it even higher. Shepherd’s poles are not an option if you have squirrels!

Also, make sure any feeder is at least ten feet away from tree trunks, fences, buildings, or anything else a squirrel can jump from. Squirrels can jump horizontally at least 10 feet and sometimes more. If you have hanging feeders and follow these two rules, you’re on your way to getting squirrel proof. Next, you will need an overhead baffle to stop squirrels from climbing down the hanger. If you don’t have a Sky Cafe Feeder, you can buy a Sky Cafe baffle to use over the feeder you have. Enjoy outwitting your squirrels!

Here we continue the series of videos produced by the National Wildlife Federation to help you learn how to provide food, shelter and water for birds and wildlife.  You don’t have to view the videos in any special order.  To see the videos in Part 1, click here.

Are you interested in helping wildlife and the environment?  Does your yard provide food, shelter and water for birds and other creatures?  If it does, the National Wildlife Federation has a program where they will certify your yard as a Wildlife Habitat.  You do have to meet certain standards and apply for the certification.  You will also need to create an account with them which will cost you $20.00.  However if you do qualify, they’ll send you the coveted Wildlife Certified sign to place in your yard, and you’ll also have the pleasure of knowing that your yard is a haven for birds and wildlife!

Enjoy these helpful videos on how to apply and ways to qualify. We show the last video in the series first, so you can get an idea of the process first. Then the videos are shown in order. To go to the remaining videos in Part 2, click here.

Certified Wildlife Habitats – Certifying Your Yard (#7)

www.nwf.org – 7th of 7 – Once you’ve provided the 4 components of habitat and adopted sustainable gardening practices you can certify your yard, school or community as a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat! But don’t forget a place for people too!

Certified Wildlife Habitats – Providing Food (#2)

www.nwf.org – 2nd of 7 – One of the 4 main components of a wildlife friendly garden is Food. Naturalist David Mizejewski shows you ways to provide food for wildlife in your garden.

Sometimes it’s hard to know which bugs to squash and which ones to leave be.  Some insects serve important jobs such as providing food for birds and also keeping “pest” insects at bay.  Here are some excellent articles to help you maintain a healthy yard that nourishes birds and wildlife and also will help you control insect populations that may threaten your plants.

How to Identify and Manage the Basic Types of Garden Insects …

Why is it when 97% of the world’s insects are considered to be either beneficial or harmless, your garden attracts only the remaining 3% that are considered PESTS? Although it may seem this way, there are both “good” and “bad” insects …

Publish Date: 08/31/2010 21:49

http://gardeningtips-online.com/2010/09/01/how-to-identify-and-manage-the-basic-types-of-garden-insects/

Beneficial Insects for the Garden: A natural pest control method

Not all bugs are bad for plants. Learn what makes some insects beneficial to your garden, some common beneficial bugs, and how to attract beneficial insects.

Publish Date: 08/23/2010 18:11

http://www.suite101.com/content/beneficial-insects-for-the-garden-a189875

Ladybugs in the Organic Garden: Use These Beneficial Insects to …

Welcome ladybugs to the organic garden to kill several common pests without using any pesticides or chemicals.

Publish Date: 12/19/2007 3:00

http://www.suite101.com/content/ladybugs-in-the-organic-garden-a38621

Natural Garden Pest Control

Natural garden pest control using beneficial insects and animals takes a time, effort and constant monitoring. Once plants mature and populations of beneficial insects are established, the need for chemical pesticides is eliminated …

Publish Date: 05/21/2010 4:51

http://www.suite101.com/content/natural-garden-pest-control-a239548

Use Plants to Control Pests: Put Away the Insecticides and Attract …

Usually a small population of pests are necessary to keep beneficial insects in your garden. Since beneficial insects rely on pest insects for at least a portion of their life cycle, at least a few pest insects must be present or the …

Publish Date: 12/22/2009 19:28

http://www.suite101.com/content/use-plants-to-control-pests-a182265

How to Attract Ladybugs, Mason Bees & Other Beneficial Insects: Life Around Home With William Moss

Life Around Home’s William Moss demonstrates how to attract ladybugs, mason bees and other beneficial insects. Or as William calls them “the good guys.” They can help protect your backyard garden. Mason bees don’t sting and installing a habitat for t…