Bird baths and water bowls for birds, squirrels, bees and co. in summerHow to help wild animals in the heat
Not only us, but also birds, bees, squirrels and hedgehogs suffer from extreme heat. In midsummer, wild animals often search for water for a long time because streams and puddles dry up. Then they need help.
Helping birds and other wild animals in the heat
During the hot summer months, weakened squirrels, birds and hedgehogs often end up in wildlife rescue centers. The animals find too little water in the heat and need to be nursed back to health. However, we can support the animals as a precaution and offer them water in summer. Put it in drinking troughs for them in the garden, on the patio and on the balcony. This way, wild animals can quench their thirst in the heat. As birds, hedgehogs and squirrels can hardly or not at all sweat, water bowls are also very popular for cooling off. Shady spots such as protective hedges or stone mounds for lizards also help.
Birds can then land on it easily. Squirrels, hedgehogs and other animals can also easily reach the water. Deeper containers or even buckets, on the other hand, can become a death trap if they do not have an exit aid. Flower pot coasters from the DIY store are also well suited as water troughs.
This provides the animals with a better grip than a smooth surface.
Even slightly larger animals can then bathe comfortably in it.
A bird bath should be raised, but not too close to windows or glass doors that are dangerous for the animals. A water trough for squirrels, hedgehogs and the like should be placed on the floor. This gives birds a good all-round view and allows them to retreat quickly in case of danger. Place a water bowl on the ground where other animals can also see it easily - but not too close to bushes and shrubs where other animals can sneak up unnoticed. As a general rule, the drinking trough should not be in full sunlight all day.
This will prevent pathogens from developing. Birds in particular could easily become infected via contaminated water. Use hot water and a coarse brush, but please do not use chemical cleaning agents.
Bees and bumblebees also need help in the heat
When it is hot and natural water sources are scarce, bees and bumblebees also run out of energy. Water troughs may therefore also attract insects. It is best to place a few small stones in the water. They can land on them and drink from there. They can also use the stones to climb out of the water if they fall in. This way you become a double lifesaver. Shallow bowls in which you can place stones or marbles and cover them with moss or other plants are best suited as your own insect watering holes, even if there is little space on the balcony.
