I’m a gardening pro – the types of pests you DO want in your garden because they’ll actually improve your lawn
NEXT time you spot a critter in your garden, don't call animal control right away.
There's a good chance that it's actually a furry friend, not a furry foe.
A number of misunderstood "pests" are actually good news for your garden, who spoke with Family Handyman.
"When we don’t understand them, it only leads to hasty and ill-conceived attempts to resolve a perceived problem," John Griffin, senior director of Urban Wildlife Programs with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) told the outlet.
And many gardeners end up using methods to get rid of pests that are "inhumane and ineffective,” he added.
"Not all of them are bad," agreed Mary Phillips, head of Garden for Wildlife. “They’re just misunderstood.”
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Moles, for example, are the unsung heroes of your soil, but if you want a manicured lawn that looks like fake turf, you probably consider moles a mortal enemy.
Mole tunnels mix and aerate your soil, the experts explained, so while the creatures are looking for a tasty worm to eat, they're also providing your plants with better living conditions.
You don't need to kill moles to keep your lawn neat.
Avoid overwatering, which brings worms to the surface of your yard, where moles are sure to follow.
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If you must fix the unsightly lines on your lawn, do it the right way, and don't kill off the helpful animals. "Mole runs can be easily flattened with a foot or lawn roller,” Griffin said.
You might wrinkle your nose at just the thought of skunks, but the stripey creatures are doing you a favor.
They don't spray unless provoked, and when left to their own devices, they'll eat beetles, mice, rats, crickets, and grubs.
You can leave opossums alone, too, while you're at it. They kill off the same small pests skunks do and also slurp down slugs, snails, and venomous snakes.
If there's a dead animal in your yard, an opossum is likely to find it and consume it, saving you the trouble.
Plus, they eat overripe fruits, which can really improve your garden.
"Because opossums eat berries and other fruit, they can play a useful role as seed dispersers," Phillips explained.
There's one more creepy animal that you should make peace with: snakes.
Garden snakes, as their title suggests, are an integral part of your outdoor ecosystem, and you shouldn't deprive your plants of their influence.
They'll eat mice who nibble on your plants, and the majority are harmless to humans.
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If you're still scared, just avoid them – they're likely to hide under rocks and wood piles, so eliminate those from your yard or steer clear.
Just don't forget, seeing snakes is a good sign. "If a snake shows up in your yard, you’re doing something right,” Phillips reassured.
