Well, a minor problem here I have not finished this book today, which to me is shocking; I have made it about 1/2 way through it so I will talk about what I have read and will finish the rest for tomorrow.
"Wildlife in your Garden"
By: Gene Logsdon
Published by: Rodale Press
Copyright (and my copy): 1983
ISBN# 0-87857-454-9
Now note this will be about the book from page 1 to page 114. I do have to say this is a very interesting book so much that I keep stopping to talk to Silver about what I find out in it (probably why it's taking so long to read). I plan on going back through it later with a fined toothed comb and getting more details for better reference.
The introduction is about a pretty much introducing you to the people he uses to reference the things he discusses in this book. It starts out as well with a toad in a flower pot. Whom is intentionally in the one man's garden so as to help his home without chemicals.
The next chapter deals with the correct mentality for being "eco-friendly" so to have a yard that works with nature instead of fighting everything that nature can toss at you. In this he discusses the food web, and using the main"character" he has in this book starts collecting info on everything that passes through his "neck of the woods". Gene points out it is a good idea to watch what goes through your yard be it a postage stamp or a # of acres in the country. Do all this before planning out the "hows" of getting rid of the things you don't want. One of those "things" might be feeding something you want.
Here is an example of the workings of the cause and affect the "food webs have":
"AS skilled as we are in marshaling numbers in our computers, the food web defies adequate programming. Introduce the factor of chance, and the computer can only run simulations. For example, if you kill a pair of mice in your house, the computer can quickly tell you not only how many millions of mice you theoretically "caused" not to be born in the next 50 years, but also how many of that number would have survived, given a "normal" mouse environment. What is normal? It is possible that by killing one pair of mice in your house, you allowed another pair to produce more healthy offspring than the two pairs would have produced together, if a shortage of food or habitat prevailed." end of page 3-page 4 top
The next chapter deals with fences, and the different type that can be used to keep out the wildlife you don't want. As for some creatures it really is the best method of removing the "problem" is by barring entry. He also shows diagrams of the different types and goes into descriptions of how to install the different types of fences. Which do include the use of a movable electric fence.
The next chapter deals with some "other" broad methods of taking care of pests. For rats, as they do eat baby chicks; raise your chicks near your nursing house cat as the momma cat will kill the rats and then the kittens grow up with the chicks and won't try for them as they grow up. He explains a few different trap types but prefers the live cage traps as they won't kill an animal in case you get someone's pet by accident. He also points out if you are trying to reach a "natural balance" (so to speak) don't use poisons as you might poison something you don't want to.
Another method for rats that also works with squirrels and mice is using some kind of a "shield or guard" method, which in reality is just another "barrier" type. He suggests putting metal "guards" on young fruiting trees to prevent animals from chewing on the bark and if you go 18 inches wide it should deter thing from climbing them too.
He includes a few in-depth designs for bird houses and gives the correct width for the entry holes for the different birds so you can tailor them to they types you want to keep in your garden or yard.Still on the wild bird line he states the best feed to put in the bird feeder is really cracked corn, black and white sunflower seeds; nothing else. Even says the smaller birds can and will eat both. Another big point on that is it will be cheaper to buy the cracked corn anyway. Apparently the "beekeeper" in this book thinks that the Kingbird is the best bird to have in your yard/garden. yes it eats bees, but only the slow or close to dieing ones. IT also keeps all other birds away from it's territory. So having it taking up residence near a bee hive can be a mixed blessing.
The current chapter I am on and the one preceding is about ponds and the benefits of having them around. First off all the wildlife needs water, bees included. You can draw some beneficial to your yard/garden with a properly maintained pond. Make it as natural as you can and it lists the proper depths based on what you want to put into the water. He also tells you ways to "stock" your pond without shelling out money.
Now that is all I have gotten to so far, this is a very interesting read for me; more so than I thought. there seems to be a great deal of very useful info in this book from what I have read. Such as Moles... they are not truly harmful to your garden. However, other animals who chose to use the moles' tunnels might harm your garden. The biggest "issue" around moles is they tunnel close to the surface of the ground, making grass look ugly; not a big deal for me.
I do hope I finish this book off tomorrow so I can give you more info on it!
Be Well and Blessed Be...
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