Creating The Perfect Habitat For Wildlife

Your garden is a little slice of nature — so why not share it with wildlife? A few simple additions to your garden can attract creatures big and small. 

Create a nesting area for birds, a water feature for frogs or a breeding site for butterflies. No matter the size of your outdoor space, you can transform it into a home for nature.

This article will explore how you can create the perfect habitat for wildlife in your very own back garden. 

red admiral butterfly on pink flowers

Plants, trees and vegetation

  • Trees provide roosting and nesting sites for a variety of birds and mammals. They also serve as areas of shelter for mammals to hide from prey. Take a look at our tree growth for wildlife article to discover which animals are attracted to which trees.
  • Composts and woodpiles also attract animals to live, feed and hibernate and take up less space than most plants and trees. Composters are a great addition to your garden because they help to reduce waste in addition to nourishing the soil.
  • Plant flowers that are bright in colour and rich in nectar to attract insects such as bees, wasps and butterflies. Berry bushes and fruit trees will also be appealing to insects, as well as provide a valuable source of food for birds.

Cultivating your garden to attract insects will also invite birds and other mammals who prey on those insects.

Water features and ponds

  • Water features and ponds are attractive additions to any garden and provide a habitat for  a variety of amphibians and birds. You’ll need a keen eye though, newts like to hide under stones and logs or amongst tree roots.
  • Water sources serve as a fresh water supply that can attract all sorts of animals in need of a drink.

Bird boxes and feeding areas

  • Simple bird boxes are easy to build and provide a source of shelter for a variety of birds. 
  • Partner your bird box with a bird feeder to allow birds to feast and roost within a short distance. 
  • Why stop at birds? Bat boxes and hedgehog homes provide safe, artificial shelter in the same way that bird boxes do. 

Tip: installing plastic domes over your bird feeders helps to prevent grey squirrels from raiding them.

Garden grass and soil

  • The length of your grass can affect which animals visit your garden. Longer grass is a habitat for insects and an attractive spot for the birds who prey on them. Larger animals such as badgers and foxes will gravitate towards shorter, well-kept grass to forage for grubs and search for prey.
  • Lay compost on top of your soil to provide a habitat for invertebrates.

Urban areas

You won’t encounter as many animals in your garden if you’re from an urban area — but there’s still hope!

We suggest you focus on attracting birds to your garden. Birds fly between gardens outside the breeding season — even in urban areas. Consider installing a bird box or feeder to your garden.

The above tips are a great way to enliven your garden and support the ecosystem. No matter which animals venture into your garden, the additional plants, water features and bird boxes will enhance the look of your garden, making it equally as attractive to you and your family as it is to the local wildlife. 

 


To make the most from your garden, you should always make sure your trees are healthy and in top condition. At Artemis Tree Services, we provide a range of tree services to customers in Rickmansworth, Watford and the wider London area. Our specialists will visit your garden to identify and implement the ideal services for keeping your garden looking its best.

To enquire about our services, contact Artemis Tree Services today.

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Enthusiastic of Eastcote

My wife and I were pleased to welcome Charlie and Ben, to tackle our overgrown Laurel. They telephoned ahead to advise their time of arrival and, once on site, got down to work in a professional and i... My wife and I were pleased to welcome Charlie and Ben, to tackle our overgrown Laurel. They telephoned ahead to advise their time of arrival and, once on site, got down to work in a professional and industrious manner. These young men were friendly and helpful, completing the job to our exact requirements, and tidying up thoroughly afterwards. In addition, they approached their work in full compliance with health and safety regulations. All in all, they were splendid ambassadors for their company!

4 days ago

Mrs S. Beattie

This is the 3rd time I have used this Company. All the staff are professional, friendly and helpful offering high quality service from the moment you contact them to completion of the job and the pri... This is the 3rd time I have used this Company. All the staff are professional, friendly and helpful offering high quality service from the moment you contact them to completion of the job and the price is fair. I wouldn't use anyone else.

5 days ago

Anonymous

We have used Artemis for tree and hedge works several times and would thoroughly recommend them. They give an all round professional service; communication is great, quotes detailed and work fairly pr... We have used Artemis for tree and hedge works several times and would thoroughly recommend them. They give an all round professional service; communication is great, quotes detailed and work fairly priced. If you are looking for trustworthy and reliable tree services look no further!

1 week ago

Derek Welch, Chalfont St Peter

Very professional, work hard, friendly and cooperative. Very highly recommended - they know what they are doing!...

1 week ago

Peter

Always friendly helpful staff, very knowledgable, prune/trim trees very well leaving a good shape and tidy up afterwards....

1 month ago

M Pearce

Polite, efficient, helpful - highly reccomended...

2 months ago

Brian (Pinner)

Artemis recently did some work for us and we were very impressed both with the quality of the work and the communication and value for money. I would recommend them.... Artemis recently did some work for us and we were very impressed both with the quality of the work and the communication and value for money. I would recommend them.

2 months ago

Michelle Hyer

Excellent service, tidy, efficient, on-time and someone at the end of the phone for queries! I would highly recemmend x...

3 months ago

Barbara M Grant, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Artemis Tree Services Limited is a professional tree surgeon and is highly recommended. The marketplace is peppered with charlatans purporting to be qualified in this specialist area but Artemis con... Artemis Tree Services Limited is a professional tree surgeon and is highly recommended. The marketplace is peppered with charlatans purporting to be qualified in this specialist area but Artemis continues to uphold and deliver the professional status of this important skill. They offer a a high quality service from the very first contact through to delivery of a clean and crafted conclusion. I have no hesitation in recommending their outstanding service. Many thanks to all involved.

3 months ago

Blake Lewis

The contractors that came to prune my tree were very efficient, polite and effective and I would have no hesitation in recommending Artemis to anyone.... The contractors that came to prune my tree were very efficient, polite and effective and I would have no hesitation in recommending Artemis to anyone.

4 months ago

Jo

Just to say thank you for carrying out the work so professionally. The team were efficient, they took great care to ensure nothing got damaged, they were very friendly and informative and left the ar... Just to say thank you for carrying out the work so professionally. The team were efficient, they took great care to ensure nothing got damaged, they were very friendly and informative and left the area tidy. Work carried out: Removal of deadwood

6 months ago

Savas Sivetidis

Good service all round, polite and efficient....

6 months ago

Declan McManus

Efficient, tidy and courteous service - I have used Artemis on a number of occasions and cannot think of any reason to change....

8 months ago

Gaby

Excellent service with polite considerate operators...

8 months ago

Anonymous

very professional, knowledgeable company. where able to provide advice and options as to needed to be done. Clean, tidy and polite...

8 months ago

John

Very professional We have used them a few times and would not go anywhere else...

8 months ago

Francis Emmanuel

This was the second time we used the services of Artemis Tree Services. This time it was to fell and remove a mature sycamore. The team were excellent throughout - from initial enquiries, advice with ... This was the second time we used the services of Artemis Tree Services. This time it was to fell and remove a mature sycamore. The team were excellent throughout - from initial enquiries, advice with what was suitable, scheduling of the work, the tree work itself, the disposal of the felled tree and invoicing. Very pleasant, smart, tidy and courteous.

8 months ago

Pools Sritharan

Excellent service from the initial contact to completion. Professional ans polite at all times. Many thanks for this wonderful experience. Regards Pools Sritharan 18, The Avenue, Potters Bar.... Excellent service from the initial contact to completion. Professional ans polite at all times. Many thanks for this wonderful experience. Regards Pools Sritharan 18, The Avenue, Potters Bar.

9 months ago

Wendy Fry

Very pleased with work done to prune large sycamore tree. Detailed quote provided same day as Billy came to inspect and advise. All work was done promptly, safely with no mess whatsoever. Would defini... Very pleased with work done to prune large sycamore tree. Detailed quote provided same day as Billy came to inspect and advise. All work was done promptly, safely with no mess whatsoever. Would definitely recommend this firm. Very professional from start to finish.

9 months ago

Chris Pooley

If you require any tree work done I can certainly recommend Artemis. The estimator Billy was great to deal with professional and gave great advice. We required a Laurel and Holly tree to be reduced i... If you require any tree work done I can certainly recommend Artemis. The estimator Billy was great to deal with professional and gave great advice. We required a Laurel and Holly tree to be reduced in height and shaped and several leylandia trees at the back of the garden to be reduced in height and tidied up.A detailed quote was provided within 24 hours. On the day of the scheduled work the crew arrived on time and Tom and Charlie did a fantastic job very courteous and making sure everything was left nice and tidy. I would have no hesitation in contacting them for any future work required this is an extremely well run business.

9 months ago

Wendy Farrell

Great service from the get go. Surveyor was brilliant and took his time advising me on the best value for money for the job. The two guys in the day were fab! Not a leaf was left for me to tidy up. K... Great service from the get go. Surveyor was brilliant and took his time advising me on the best value for money for the job. The two guys in the day were fab! Not a leaf was left for me to tidy up. Kirstie Harvey in the office is a legend! Cannot recommend this company highly enough.

9 months ago