When it comes to feeding wildlife in your backyard, it's perfectly fine to set up a birdfeeder for our feathered friends. Just be sure to choose a feed mixture appropriate for the nutritional needs of the types of birds in your region. And also be sure to keep your birdfeeder in a place that is dry and protected from the natural elements. But when it comes to other wildlife, like deer, squirrels and raccoons, avoid the temptation to feed them. When these animals become dependent on food from humans, they lose their sense of fear, which can lead to a deterioration of their natural instinct to forage and continue to be wild.

With warmer weather, many of us are moving outdoors to turn our backyards into extended living spaces for our homes. It's tempting to install bug zappers, those electric bug lights that kill mosquitoes at night. While they are effective at killing bloodthirsty mosquitoes, they also attract thousands of harmless insects, too. These insects are food for animals like birds, bats and even aquatic wildlife, and they help keep the biodiversity of the forest intact. Since bug zappers don't know the difference between beneficial insects and pests, they can do more harm than good. To keep mosquitoes at bay, simply bring fans outdoors. The breeze will be enough to keep them away.

It makes sense that a living tree in your backyard can be beneficial for wildlife as a source of habitat and food. But what if that living tree falls over and dies? While it may look like an eyesore, a dead tree can actually be more beneficial for wild animals than a living one. Many animals prefer to nest and create shelter in dead trees because wood-eating insects that are feasting on it are tasty treats to them. If a tree appears to be dead, try to leave it alone. Upright dead trees are ideal, but even ones that have fallen to the ground can be beneficial to all sorts of wild animals.