15 Misunderstood Animals That Deserve a Spot in Your Outdoor Sanctuary

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Most of the time, when we picture ourselves creating an outdoor sanctuary, we imagine butterflies, songbirds, and gentle rabbits. What about the critters that are getting a bad rap? Years of myths or misunderstandings have turned some animals into pests or nuisances, when they’re really valuable to the ecosystem—and your backyard. When you invite these sometimes forgotten creatures into your space, you’re not only helping them survive, but you’re making the ecosystem of your very own yard stronger.

Think about it: what if the ‘creepy crawlies’ or critters you shoo away are doing some important heavy lifting in the background? Without you having to lift a finger, they’ll pollinate plants, control pests, and enrich the soil. Let’s change the story, and welcome 15 of these unsung heroes that we believe deserve a standing ovation, and a safe place in your outdoor haven.

Bees

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Bees do have stingers, but they’re more interested in the flowers than they are in you. About 75% of the crops we eat depend on these buzzing workers to do the pollination. With wildflowers, you can create a bee friendly garden and watch as your landscape thrives for your benefit and your local environment.

Opossums

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Opossums don’t get a lot of love, being the trash scavenger that they are. These shy nocturnal creatures are great at controlling tick populations. A single opossum can eat about 5,000 ticks during a season, according to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. That’s a lot less to worry about Lyme disease!

Spiders

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You may be creeped out by spiders, but they’re master hunters of flies, mosquitoes and other annoying bugs. They don’t want to be in your bed any more than you want them there. A healthy spider population means fewer bugs buzzing around your evening barbecue and a healthier garden.

Snakes

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Not all snakes are dangerous. In fact, most garden snakes are harmless and do a great job of ridding your garden of pesky rodents. Also, slugs and insects can cause havoc on plants, and they eat them. One slithering through your yard can be startling, but consider them as nature’s pest management team.

Frogs and Toads

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Amphibian pest control champions are frogs and toads. They’re tiny vacuum cleaners for your garden, with a diet that includes flies, slugs, and ants. They’re also so cute, and their croaks make an enchanting soundtrack for your evenings.

Earthworms

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These wriggly creatures aren’t glamorous, but their work is golden. Earthworms are good for aerating soil, improving drainage and adding nutrients to the soil. In short, they’re the natural fertilizer factory of your garden. To attract them, keep your soil moist and mulched.

Bats

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Bats aren’t little vampires out to suck your blood, according to popular myth. They spend the day sleeping, waking up each night as night flyers who feast on insects, like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. One bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour! They are nature’s pest control, working while you sleep. A simple bat house set up in your yard can give them a safe home and save you from itchy bites.

Ants

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Ants may be pesky indoors, but they are good outdoors. Aerating soil, spreading seeds, and even preying on smaller insects that act as pests for plants, that’s what ants do. If you have a healthy ant population, you also have a thriving yard ecosystem.

Hawks

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Generally speaking, hawks are unfairly villainized for killing small animals, but they do important work keeping rodent populations in check. A hawk soaring over your head may be intimidating, but it’s also one signal of a healthy ecosystem.

Wasps

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Although wasps can be aggressive in comparison to bees, they are important pollinators and a great gardener’s friend, controlling many garden pests. Caterpillars, aphids, and other bugs that munch on your plants are what they hunt. Besides, they hardly sting unless you provoke them.

Ladybugs

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These little, colorful beetles are a gardener’s best friend. Aphids, scale insects and other plant damaging pests get eaten by ladybugs. Beneficial bugs will be attracted to your yard if you add plants like dill, cilantro or daisies.

Raccoons

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Raccoons can be mischievous, but they do keep grubs and insects out of the lawn. A healthy balance can be provided if you appreciate the contributions they’re making and provide natural deterrents for areas they shouldn’t visit.

Fireflies

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Summer evenings seem magical with fireflies lighting up, and they help play the role of good predators, eating slugs, snails and worms that can be harmful to your plants. These glowing insects will be encouraged to remain if you have a pesticide free yard.

Crows

Low angle of wild black crow sitting on road security notice sign on gray background
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These intelligent birds are more than noisy neighbors. Crows eat harmful insects, rodents and even garbage which might otherwise attract pests. Surprisingly, their sharp problem solving skills can be an asset in your outdoor space.

Ground Beetles

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While ground beetles may not be flashy, they’re fierce slug and caterpillar slayers that also feed on other plant destroying bugs. These hard working insects will make a perfect home in a simple rock or wood pile.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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