Using Capsaicin to Deter Squirrels – Yes or No?

Capsaicin is a pepper substance, akin to jalapeno peppers, a natural substance, used in bird seed to deter squirrels from feasting at your bird feeders. While squirrels are mammals and have taste buds, birds do not, therefore, the use of capsaicin supposedly benefits both backyard birders and...

Leaf Bird Bath

You don’t have to pay a lot for a one-of-a-kind birdbath. This spring, look for plants with large leaves to add to your garden. Then turn one of those big beauties into a birdbath. This project makes a serene resting place for butterflies, too. By Dottie Baltz, Pennellville, New York Essential...

Squirrels

Squirrel Facts • Squirrels spend a lot of time and energy eating. They eat more than their body weight in food each week. • Squirrels can eat their own body weight (approximately 1.5 pounds) every week. • Squirrels have been known to gnaw on electrical wires and have caused financial damage and...

Butterflies

Create your own butterfly garden Help nurture butterfly populations by growing your own easy-to-maintain butterfly garden. Butterflies aren’t just beautiful creatures – they’re an important part of every eco-system because, second only to bees, they pollinate much of our harvests. Butterflies also...

Frogs

Frogs are one of the best creatures that you could encourage into your garden. The garden frog can cope with climate diversity like no other animal. It’s not uncommon to find them in the snowfields or even surviving in desert wastelands. Yet each species has their own territory and preferred conditions...

Bees

How to Attract Bees and Why Bees Need Help Melissa Roberts Any outdoor space or collection of pots can become a much-needed home for bees with a few simple ideas. Learn about the importance of a bee garden and explore suggestions for beginning a bee friendly garden in any space. Why Plant a Bee...