A water source is just as important as a food source in your backyard bird habitat. Wild birds love and need water for drinking and preening. Water helps birds keep their feathers in good shape. Besides flying, feathers are needed for good insulation in the winter. Birds also use their energy to stay warm. If their only source of liquid is snow, they need to expend their energy trying to melt the snow.

Tip for best results with your heated birdbath.

• Read all the instructions carefully before set up and follow the instructions.
• Water evaporates and of course, birds splashing around can deplete the water, so check daily on the water level.
• Add stones in the basin to give different levels of perching areas.
• Regularly clean the birdbath by emptying the water and replacing with fresh. Fresh water is important and mineral deposits may eventually prevent the heater from working properly. The bird bath can be cleaned with a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water once or twice a season. Scrub with a stiff cleaning brush. A vinegar soak can be used to remove the mineral deposits.
• After a heavy snow, remove the snow from the edge of the bowl so the birds have a place to perch.
• Never add anything to water to assist the water from freezing. Any amount o f chemicals, antifreeze or even salt can be fatal.
• Only use outdoor extension cords with the heated birdbath.

Following these simple steps will ensure your feathered friends will continue to visit and stay healthy all winter long!

One way to attract butterflies is through planting certain types of plants and flowers.  Certain plants are well known for attracting butterflies, such as Buddlea (which is a butterfly bush) and Ascelpias (which is a butterfly weed).  Butterflies also like lavender, lilac, marigold, rosemary, and day-lilies.  Keep in mind that different species of butterflies are attracted to different types of flowers, because different flowers have different types of nectar.  To maximize your chance of attracting butterflies, you should plant a wide variety of flowers.  If you are going to be planting a variety of flowers, try to plant large groups of similar plants together.  It will be easier for butterflies to spot their favorite flowers this way.

The use of pesticides in your garden may seem like a good idea to get rid of the pests that eat your vegetables and herbs,  but pesticides can also kill butterflies.  If you have to use pesticides in certain areas of your yard, please use them sparingly.  Keep them away from the areas that butterflies like to visit.

Some of my favorite butterfly attractors are the butterfly feeders you can purchase and put in your backyard.  I like the Woodlink Classic Butterfly Feeder, pictured to the right.  One reason this feeder attracts butterflies is because it is yellow, and butterflies are attracted to the color yellow.  The Woodlink Classic Butterfly Feeder has specific locations that you can place nectar and bananas, which butterflies love.  It is made of plastic material and has a metal hook so you can hang it from a variety of places.  The Bright Yellow Hanging Birdbath will also attract butterflies to your yard because of its bright yellow color.  Not only will it attract butterflies, but it will also attract birds!

Butterflies also like to have a place in your backyard where they can hide from bad weather or predators.  The Audubon Butterfly Shelter is a home that butterflies love.  This shelter is made of wood, and can hold a large number of butterflies at once.  Get ready to have tons of butterflies in your backyard!

The sound of water agitation can attract flycatchers, warblers, thrushes and many birds that otherwise will not normally visit a backyard bath or feeder.

Ready made wild bird bath agitators can be purchased in kits which include all of the necessary parts. A drip or water wiggler will provide both the noise and the water surface motion bids are attracted to.

There are also bird baths made of plastic that have a built in wigglers or drippers that can be attached to a faucet in much the same manner.

The Solar Water Wiggler entices birds to drink and bathe by creating gentle ripples in your birdbath.

Moving water also prevents mosquito eggs from hatching.

The Solar Water Wiggler stores enough energy in a rechargeable battery to run the motor during the nighttime hours.

Always locate the Solar Water Wiggler in full sunlight. This ensures that the battery has enough charge to continue running through the night.

•  The Hanging Bird Bath with Misterby Zoobox International is one of my favorite birdbaths that also makes a great water feature.  This birdbath has a solar powered mister to give the birds a constant supply of fresh water and is great for giving them a quick bath.  The water rate may be adjusted to suit your needs.  Use this birdbath to attract hummingbirds and more to your yard. Choose red, blue, yellow or copper color to help liven up your yard and make it more interesting.
• Another fun solar powered birdbath for your yard by Zoobox International is the Frog On Lily Pad Solar Birdbath.  This unique and interesting birdbath is sure to make a statement in your yard and attract birds at the same time.  It has features a cute, little frog sitting on a lily pad and has an antique copper finish.  The size of the basin is 15 inches in diameter and perfect for attracting birds to your yard.
• If you prefer a standing birdbath for your yard, use one like the Multi-Level Octagonal Birdbathby Zoobox International to attract the birds and add character to your yard or garden.  Place this birdbath in the middle of a flower bed to add charm to your flower bed.  This birdbath is made of fiberglass and easy to place any where in your yard.

If the weather gets cold (30-50 degrees), just moving the water on a continuous basis will eliminate the opportunity for freezing and also limit the amount of mosquitos that lay eggs.  An opportune product is the Solar Bird Hanging Birdbath pictured to the right by Zoobox. 

Although it is not touted as a heater, it will do the job of eliminating ice in milder climates.

If you live in a harsher climate, a bird bath de-icer or heater is more appropriate.

Many bird bath de-icers cost less to run than the average night light. Low wattage is = low operating costs, so when you look for a bird bath de-icer – check that the wattage is low to minimize energy consumption and overall cost to you.   In addition, look for a de-icer that is thermostatically controlled .  This is important so that it doesn’t run and use up energy when it doesn’t have too.

The bottom line, a solar powered bird bath solution is your best and cheapest solution, unless you live in an area that has harsh winters.  If that is the case, look for low wattage and a thermostatically controlled bird bath de-icer.

• Keep your fireplaces clean and use fire screens. No matter what type of wood you burn, there is always a chance that the wood may pop or roll out.
• Outdoor fires must be contained in an approved fire pit or container designed for that purpose. If you’re not sure whether yours is legal, call your local fire department and ask.
• For outdoor pond heating (if you are concerned with the safety of your fish) – you must determine whether you want to de-ice or actually heat your pond to a specific temperature.
  Heating your pond to obtain a specific temperature can be a bit technical, so if your not sure about the heater sizing we recommend that you contact our pond heating specialists at Backyard Style.

I recently read a study that stated birds who had assistance in the winter doubled their chances of survival.

If you already have an existing BIRD BATH, without heat source, heat can easily be added with a corded BIRD BATH HEATING ELEMENT . Look for bird bath heaters that are UL tested and have safety features such as hooks or clamps that secure the heater to avoid having it knocked out of the bird bath.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE STAFF AT BACKYARD STYLE