We have all seen these little creatures run around the yard, climb trees and chase insects. Squirrels are fun to watch from the window as they dash across the grass. They are not just rodents; they are beneficial to the whole yard. The ecosystems that they create are good for the soil, wildlife, and plants.
And if you have kids in your home, they will always cherish looking at squirrels and even chasing them. The squirrels in your backyard may not make up for a good pet, but they will be amazing for gardening needs. Let’s dive into what they are beneficial for and how you may encourage them.
Bug population in check
Squirrels are omnivores and often snack on insects such as caterpillars and beetles, which damage plants. So they are a natural insect repellent for your garden. Plus, you won’t have to use insecticides, so your kitchen garden will be all natural and organic.
Growing new plants
You may give credit to the garden squirrels as they bury the seeds and forget about them. These seeds may sprout and result in new plants. They can be little gardeners who help in renewing several plants in your garden, as per AOL.
This thirteen-lined ground squirrel has a message for all the squirrel haters! These squirrels get a bad reputation for digging up yards, but they can also be helpful, eating garden pests, insects and even mice. #SquirrelAppreciationDay
Photo by Grayson Smith/USFWS pic.twitter.com/A9PUAR1FyX
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) January 21, 2020
Soil aeration
Squirrels dig into the soil to move around or bury their snacks. This ends up increasing the air inside the soil, which further helps the plants get the right amount of oxygen. These buried snacks may also enrich the soil by decomposition, further improving the fertility. The more nutrients plants absorb, the better they grow. These holes also prevent rainwater from pooling in.
Fun for kids
Kids can watch the squirrels and get happy seeing animals in their backyard. It is a good exposure for your kids to see what they eat and how they behave. Moreover, kids who are around animals grow up to be more empathetic. You may also teach them more about rodents with some informative videos.
Supporting Wildlife
We know squirrels are prey animals, so they help keep owls and hawks full. This cycle of life is good for the environment. It keeps the population in check while also preventing overpopulation that could become an issue later. Nature has its own balance, so you don’t need to worry about that. Meanwhile, you may promote other birds like hummingbird in your garden by planting specific flowers.
Are you grateful for squirrels? Maybe you should be! They help plant trees. They’ll bury acorns in the ground to store food for winter. The seeds they forget about can grow! 🌱 https://t.co/Wldgm4Ko3O pic.twitter.com/hZX1LeIVzV
— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@USFWS) November 20, 2018
Clean outdoors
Squirrels snack on nuts and acorns, resulting in less mess in your garden. They are like little cleaners who sustain themselves on such things to keep the outdoors clean. If they find extras, you know they’ll stash it all into the soil, away from your eyes.
Get into research
Many people may start different research projects on backyard squirrels. Some even end up saving baby squirrels and adopting them. If they find an injured one, they’ll take care of it and then release it in the open. It’s also interesting to learn how squirrels behave in different seasons. You may log into apps like Project Squirrel and SquirrelMapper to make it more fun.
Finding some calmness
Grab your coffee and sit in the garden to watch the squirrels chase each other or eat food. This will make you forget your worries when you need a break from the screens.
Now you know how much these little rodents can help your garden and your mental health!
