With third winter hopefully behind us, many of us are seeing signs of spring in our gardens or as we hike in area parks! This means many are preparing to put their gardening gloves on and start tidying up their gardens and yard. Before you bring out the rakes, leaf blowers and wheelbarrows, please consider a request to leave some areas of your property "leaf strewn" and "messy" a little bit longer, and hold off on applying pesticides during these critical migration periods. With the coming of spring, a variety of native plants are starting to be visible, as are native birds returning from their southern vacation! During the fall months, we had requested homeowners and land managers to leave some leaves and dead branches for habitat and shelter. That brush, log, and leaf litter may now have egg masses from native species such as praying mantis, or overwintering woolly bear caterpillars (Smithsonian, 1999). Over winter, rocks and soil may have moved or shifted, which may also have some insects underneath. By clearing out leaves and logs prematurely, you may be eliminating an important population of local pollinator species needed for your garden, nearby trees, and flowers. These insects are also a food source for returning birds. Brush, dead logs, and leaf litter also provide shelter for migrating species, as well as snacking points as they rest along their journey! Various amphibians such as salamanders and frogs are trying to reach vernal pools in order to breed or fulfill a critical part of their lifecycle. Vernal pools are temporary and isolated pools of water that are devoid of fish, found in forested areas, experience peak water volumes around spring, and often dry out by the end of summer. As amphibians breath through their skin, chemicals can harm and kill them. Holding off on applying pesticides and herbicides during this time of year can ensure migrating species can safely reach their destination as they pass through your yard. It is suggested to wait until the temperatures have been consistently warm (50°F) for several days. Tips from the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation include waiting until you need to start mowing your lawns, or are able to plant your tomato plants outside, as by then, pollinator species should also be out and about (Wheeler, 2017 ). If you need to clear away brush, to give species more time to hatch, consider moving leaves or brush to one area instead of bagging leaves, burning, or composting (Hudson, 2019). If this article has inspired you to create a more reptile or amphibian friendly yard, DNR has a site with some tips and suggestions for how to attract reptiles and amphibians, found here. References: Hudson, G. 2019. Remember to 'Bee-Friendly' as you clean up your garden! University of Minnesota Extension. Date Accessed: April 5, 2021. Link: https://blog-yard-garden-news.extension.umn.edu/2019/04/remember-to-bee-friendly-as-you-clean.html Sargent, M.S and Carter, K.S., ed. 1999. Managing Michigan Wildlife: A Landowners Guide. Michigan United Conservation Clubs, East Lansing, MI. 297pp. Date Accessed: April 4th, 2021. Link: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/landowners_guide/species_mgmt/Frogs_Turtles_Snakes.htm Smithsonian. 1999. Where Do Insects Go in the Winter? Date Accessed: April 4th, 2021. Link: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/winter Wheeler, J. 2017. Don’t spring into garden cleanup too soon! Date Accessed: April 4th, 2021. Link: https://xerces.org/blog/dont-spring-into-garden-cleanup-too-soon
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AuthorShikha Singh is the coordinator for the JLW CISMA. She has a BSc. in Biology from University of Western Ontario, and her master's and PhD at Michigan State University from the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife. Her areas of expertise include water quality, water policy, invasive species, education/outreach and public speaking. |