I’ve always been a bird lover and for many years, my husband and I religiously fed the birds in our wooded yard. All winter long, tube bird feeders and suet cages would adorn our garden. Large bags of black oil sunflower seeds and wild bird mix filled the garage shelves, disappearing almost overnight as the feeders were constantly replenished with fresh seed. Summer months called for the hummingbird feeder with its bright red flower-shaped feeding portals. Some mornings there were several of these tiny birds fighting each other for the sweet nectar within and it was always a joy to see their antics. We thoroughly enjoyed our time watching all the different birds that visited our feeders but this seemingly innocuous pastime had a hidden downside that would soon become apparent.
It’s a known fact that bird feeders bring in animals as well as birds. We’ve all heard stories about bears tearing apart bird feeders and plenty of videos have circulated social media showing the same. Squirrels are also notorious raiders, even widening the feeding holes for easier access to the seed. Because we live in a heavily forested area of Northeastern Massachusetts, we’ve always had wild visitors, but there was a noticeable increase in wildlife once we started regularly feeding the birds. There were more gray and red squirrels, chipmunks, mice, raccoons, foxes and fisher cats visiting our yard, no doubt brought in by the feeding frenzy of the birds and the abundance of spilled seed on the ground. Even the hummingbird feeder brought in endless ants and wasps attracted by the sugar.
Turkeys, too, came through in troops of 20 or more, walking in single file while intently foraging in the grass, while raucous black starlings would swoop in from the sky, covering the lawn in large numbers. Even young Cooper’s h
By innocently feeding the birds, we had unwittingly created the perfect environment for these vile creatures. According to the Tick Encounter Resource Center of the University of Rhode Island, “Blacklegged (deer) ticks do not get infected with Lyme disease, babesiosis, or granulocytic anaplasmosis by feeding on deer. Instead, white-footed mice, other small rodents, and some birds carry the infections and pass them to ticks that blood feed on them. Deer are important, however. They are the main reproductive host for the adult stage of Blacklegged ticks. Rule of thumb: no deer, likely no deer ticks. See deer, watch out, ticks may be present! Remember, deer typically are active at night, so even if you don’t see them on your property, they may still be visiting. Look for signs, like browse on favorite plants, pellet piles or even hoof prints.”
After I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2004, we were forced to take a long hard look at what was going on in our back yard. We decided that taking down the bird feeders would be our first line of defense against the ticks. In addition, my husband treated our lawn and rock walls with food-grade diatomaceous earth after a friend suggested it might help. https://nancymarieallen.com/killing-ticks-with-diatomaceous-earth/ Although we realized that using DE could affect other insects as well, we believed the severity of our tick infestation warranted its use and we didn’t want to resort to chemicals. In case you’re wondering, bees and other pollinators continue to flock to our gardens in spite of its application.
Today, we enjoy seeing as many birds in our yard as we did when putting out feeders. By adding birdhouses and plants that birds love to feed on, we have constant feathered activity in our yard and gardens. Birdbaths also encourage our winged friends since birds love water, and the small trees and shrubs nearby provide shelter. Last year, a volunteer catmint plant was covered with goldfinch for weeks and blue jays are regular visitors to our compost pile. Cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows, juncos, wrens and more abound in the garden while woodpeckers enjoy seeking out insects hidden in the bark of our many large trees. Hummingbirds dart in and out of our perennial gardens all summer long, savoring the many nectar-rich blooms!
We keep the deer at bay by planting deer-resistant shrubs and aromatic perennials. Deer sprays help as well as Irish Spring soap since deer dislike strong fragrances! https://nancymarieallen.com/garden-design-with-deer-in-mind/ Although we still find the occasional deer tick and have to remain vigilant in checking ourselves after working in the yard, the infestation we once had is gone and the natural balance in our little world has thankfully been restored.
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Goodness, I never would have thought there could be so many problems. It’s thought by health professionals that Lyme disease doesn’t exist in Australia, although there are also people who say they have/ had it. Certainly we have plenty of ticks here which cause problems but the presence of Lyme disease is a hotly debated topic in some quarters.
Thank you, Jane! Lyme is controversial here as well as far as the most effective treatment. The best defense is prevention!
You bring up serious issues with solid solutions, Nancy. We have a fence around our yard, to keep out the deer, and a very good squirrel-proof bird feeder station. Still, the birds scatter the seeds and these attract insects and mice. Will give a thought to the plants you cited. Thanks for this interesting post.
Thank you!