Just finished putting out "banana goop" and made a mud pie.

Re: Banana goop. Don't throw away ripe banana's. Peel them and place them inside a plastic bag. Smash them, but leave a few chunks. Scoop out the banana's and smear them on the trunk of a tree. You will not believe the butterflies, bees and hummingbirds that will flock to this delicious and easily digested "nectar." Sure, the ants will come, but they clean up after the other creatures.

Re: Mud pie. Scoop up a mound of soil and wet it. Spread it out like a pie. Butterflies love a wet mud pie on a hot day. You might want to do this at the far corner of the yard. You can also do it with sand. Just keep it moist, and the little creatures will land and cool "their jets" before take off.

Thanks to everyone who has given them water, food and a safe place to hide from predators.

Good thread!!! Thank you to all of the Animal lovers!!!

I leave trays of water out every day, and I use a big round metal fire pit tray as a watering trough. The Animals LOVE it! The Raccoons come at night to use it, as well as a couple of Opossums, and even the occasional Owl. During the day, Squirrels, Lizards, all kinds of Birds and any other stray animals use it to quench their thirst.

Insects need water too, and we make sure that there is plenty around for them too. We even make sure the Slugs stay moist and watered.

We get lots of Butterflies, and we give them sugar water. For some odd reason, Butterflies are attracted to me, and I have many times fed them sugar water from my hands. It is sooo cute seeing them unfurl and stick out their straw like tongue to suck the water, then fly off once they get their fill.

There is a Yellow Jacket Wasp that comes almost every time I change the water. He buzzes around me all curious, but has never stung me. He must realize somehow that I am the person who provides clean water, so he leaves me alone, then as soon as I am done, he swoops down for a drink. Even the smallest of Animals and Insects are fun to watch, and knowing that I am helping them out makes me feel good. I even make sure to rescue any insects who get caught in the water.

Instead of throwing away old fruit, I throw it in the yard, and it is always gone. The wildlife appreciate it.


I am happy to know that there are others who cares for even the smallest of creatures!