Leave some leaves for birds, reptiles and soil
Fall is an excellent time to help wildlife, big and small, prepare for the harsh winter months. While raking leaves may make your yard look pristine, think twice and leave a few piles to help wildlife. As leaf piles decay, they become a much-needed resource for birds, reptiles and amphibians. Insects and other food sources hide in these leaves, and the larger animals scavenge inside the piles for nourishment. One more reason to leave leaves unraked: As they decay, they add nourishment to your soil.
BAT HOUSES
If mosquitoes have overtaken your backyard during the summer months, consider inviting another guest to your party: a bat. One bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in a single night, and bats are considered one of the best predators to keep invasive insect populations at bay. You can buy a bat house online and in stores to encourage bats to call your yard home. When installing it, look for a sunny spot and be sure to hang it at least 15 feet above the ground. Avoid installing on the side of trees, where bats are less likely to move in because of the location’s susceptibility to predators; the side of your house or on a pole is best.
SNAG TREES
Do you know what a “snag” is? No, it’s not a pull on your sweater. It’s actually a dead tree left to decompose standing upright, and snag trees are vital to keeping the delicate ecosystem thriving in your backyard. According to the National Wildlife Federation, dead trees provide needed nourishment and shelter for up to 1,000 species of wildlife. It’s easy to create a snag; just leave a dead tree upright. Make sure it’s a safe distance from your home; all you need is one snag per acre of land for maximum effect.
COMPOSTING
There’s a viral tip encouraging folks to “speed up” their composting by tossing veggie peels, old fruit and even newspaper into a blender with water to make an organic slurry. The idea is straightforward: The blender has done the work of composting by breaking down organic matter into very small pieces, so, according to the tip, it’s safe to pour from the blender right into the garden. The reality is, you don’t want to do this. The natural sugars are intensified in a blender, and when poured directly into the ground, they burn up, which can cause plants to die and earthworms to flee. Composting is meant to be slow and steady.
MEDICAL WASTE
Medical waste should always be disposed of in bins that are designed to store and transport the waste without the risk of harming another person. When disposing of medical waste at home, some may think it’s fine to use a sturdy, rigid plastic bottle like a laundry detergent container. The problem is that these containers are often compressed in garbage trucks, and waste like needles can project or fly out. This can scatter on the streets and also harm workers who collect the waste. Always use the right containers to keep everyone safe.
PACKING PEANUTS
Why buy it when you can DIY it? Packing peanuts are a common household item people save or receive during the holidays when getting shipments at home. Instead of stringing popcorn as garland, think packing peanuts instead. Use a needle and thread to string each packing peanut one by one, then decorate the tree or mantel with your lightweight (and free) garland. Have fun! Alternate white, green and pink Styrofoam packing peanuts to make interesting patterns.
SCRAP GOLD
Scrap gold is a valuable material that can easily be traded in for cold hard cash. But if you think pure gold can only come from broken jewelry or coins, think again: You might have some scrap gold in unexpected places. One unusual place is old dentures! They contain scrap gold and silver inside that can easily be salvaged and recycled. It’s not a lot of precious metal — about $25 worth, typically — but it’s still worth taking old dentures to a store to turn into cash.