Bluebirds are insectivorous and eat beetles, weevils, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other insects, and attracting bluebirds can help provide amazing natural pest control for your property, without added chemicals or extra costs. Attracting wrens is a great way to minimize these insects in your yard without harsh chemicals. One nest usually has 5 to 8 eggs, but nests of up to 10 to 13 eggs are not unheard of, and that’s a lot of hungry chicks eating insects! These birds also readily come to suet feeders or will happily snack on black oil sunflower seed, making them easy to invite as guests in your yard. While there, they’ll help control the insect population. Attracting woodpeckers can be simple, but homeowners may also want to take steps to keep woodpeckers from pecking where they aren’t as welcome. Attracting purple martins can be a challenge because of their specialized needs, however, but other swallows such as barn swallows are easier to attract and also eat more than their share of flying insects. Tanagers are around all summer just when wasp and hornet populations are at their highest. Lesser goldfinches and American goldfinches both eat huge quantities of seeds, and the more of these birds there are in your yard, the fewer weeds you’ll have. Opt for flowers that attract hummingbirds in the yard, and these tiny flying jewels will happily feast on natural nectar even as they help pollinate all sorts of delicious and beautiful plants, plus they keep gnat and other small insect populations down. Several types of raptors can become frequent visitors, but it may also be wise to take steps to protect backyard birds from hawks, so other feathered friends aren’t in danger from their hunting activities. Attracting owls is a challenge, but the expert pest control is well worth it. Putting up a barn owl box is a great first step. Guineafowl are tick-eating specialists and can help keep these pests under control, making them valuable guests if they’re right for your needs.
