Spring-Time Creatures in Your Backyard

Many of us moved to Morton Grove for the beautiful trees and the forest preserve, but living among nature means living with nature as well. The backyard is not just a place for kids to play; it is home to many other creatures. What you plant or do not plant can have an effect on the animals who share the land with us.

Spring Clean-Up

First, look at your spring clean-up. Last spring I uncovered a nest of bunnies while cleaning up old piles of leaves. Luckily the mother rabbit made her home in a small fenced area of the yard where my dogs could not reach. I waited until they were big enough to hop away before trying to clean that plot up for planting. Moving or purposefully disturbing a bunny nest is illegal.

If you find a nest in your yard, leave it alone. If it is in an area where children or your pets might get to, fence it off with a little chicken wire, allowing a hole for the mama bunny to get in. Do not check on the nest, the more often the baby bunnies are disturbed, the more likely they might not make it. Leave that patch of your garden to work another day.

Trimming Those Shrubs and More

Trimming your shrubs eight inches off the ground may discourage burrowing animals from making a den next to your house. This includes cutting your bushes back a foot away from the exterior walls. Look at your yard from a skunk's point of view. Do you have a porch with a nice dark place to hide underneath? Do you have a wood pile leaning against your garage? Is there a bunch of random items behind a shed? Now is the time to repair any holes in your lattice around the back porch. Rake out any debris that has accumulated under there as well. Re-stack the wood pile and pull it away from any structure.

Awesome Opossums and Squirrels

Skunks and opossums tend to occupy the same types of areas, although the latter is a decidedly more helpful rodent. If you find yourself with an opossum living under your porch, leave her there. Opossums eat rodents and keep the skunks from invading your yard. When an opossum eventually leaves her den, you may then repair the area so that future critters won't call it home.

Squirrels are crafty little creatures. Even with the information above, your home will never be completely safe from their invasion. A couple years ago, I had a lovely banana bread cooling in the window sill. Our neighborhood squirrel decided it was just too tempting. He ate a hole through our screen and stole a bite!

Planting Some Greenery

If you lack bushes and trees in your yard, consider planting some this spring. When placed away from your house and properly trimmed they will be home to birds, squirrels and other wildlife that you will enjoy in your backyard. Think about putting in some fruit trees, but not for a harvest. You get to enjoy the blooms in spring and the animals enjoy the fruit all summer long. These steps will insure a lovely summer amidst the joys of our natural ecosystem.

According to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, if you find an injured wild animal do not touch or feed it. Call them directly at 847-842-8000 and leave a message with your information. Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation are the wildlife rehabilitation experts in our area. Check out their website at http://www.flintcreekwildlife.org for more information about wild life rehab.