Raccoons, skunks, and opossums can be a gardeners’ best friend, if we learn to coexist with them around our homes and landscapes. Commonly considered and labelled ‘nuisance’ animals, many species are actually vital to helping reduce harmful insect and rodent populations, and can even help control weeds. Here’s how they can help: 1. Raccoons, skunks, and opossums all love grubs and other insects in their diet. Grubs are the larval form of many insects and can themselves cause significant damage to vegetables and the roots of various ornamental plants. Many species of grubs mature into beetles who can be harmful to plants, too. 2. Tick control! Particularly in southern climates of Ontario,…
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If you’re looking to keep birds visiting and support wildlife without feeding, adding native plants to your landscape is one of the best ways to help. But if you’re also looking for plants that maintain winter interest, there’s a few species that will bring colour and texture while continuing to support wildlife! Always check to see if plants are appropriate for your hardiness zone and are native to your region before purchasing or planting. The Fur-Bearers uses scientific (binomial) names of plants to ensure accuracy, as common names can be misleading or conflated between species. Pinus strobus – Eastern White Pine. The tallest conifer in eastern Canada (up to 200…
