Franklin County Conservation is offering tips to keep wildlife healthy during summer heat for those who frequently have wildlife visitors to their yard.
Park Ranger/Naturalist Thomas Rice says shelter remains important during the summer.
“Wildlife always benefits from cover for safety,” Rice says. “Shade becomes a requirement in hot weather. Postpone pruning until the fall to maintain maximum leaf coverage during the summer. Mulch beds thick to keep the ground cool and cover for insects. Leave holes and burrows intact. Even if pests created them, other species could take refuge underground in hot weather. Be careful when cleaning up weed piles, as small animals may be resting in their shade. Even shading paved areas, like patios, could benefit wildlife by slightly lowering the ambient temperature in your yard.”
Rice says to keep food sources abundant.
“Although summer is usually a time of plentiful food for wildlife, during extreme heat, usual food sources may ripen and die earlier than usual or fail to grow at all. Supplement lost food supplies by keeping your wildlife-friendly plants efficiently watered to produce berries and nectar-rich flowers. Keep bird feeders stocked with seasonally appropriate food.”
