We’ve been waiting all year and it’s finally here…peak summer season! Just as we’re out enjoying it, so are the many creatures we share life with. So what’s going on, and can our efforts really make the world a better place? Let’s talk about what to expect this summer and how to flood the world with compassion and good karma, one little life at a time.
Cats, birds and squirrel babies
Late summer sees fledgling birds and chicks as easy targets for cats. If yours likes to hunt, pop a bell on their collar so birds and animals can hear them coming. If your cat does catch a bird or mouse, don’t release it, even if it looks fine. Cats carry bacteria (Pasteurella multocida) that’s deadly to birds within 24-72 hours. Take any caught animal to a wildlife rescue or vet for treatment.
August also brings a peak in baby squirrel season. Many fledglings or young squirrels fall from nests. If healthy and parents are nearby, leave them be. Injured? Keep them in a ventilated box with a hot water bottle under half of it (so they can move away if too warm) and contact a wildlife centre. Never feed them milk, worms or syringe water – this can be fatal.
Happy flying ant day
That day in July when giant flying ants appear? All those larger ants are queen-to-be seeking mates. After mating, males die, and females chew off their wings before burrowing underground to start colonies. They’ll spend the rest of their lives (up to 30 years!) in the dark. So please, tread carefully and let them have their day.
Want to stop ants entering your home? Skip ant powder. Instead, sprinkle baby powder, white vinegar, peppermint or citronella oil around entry points (not directly on them). These methods deter ants without harming them, and give you good karma too.
Mice and rats
Late summer is when rodents look for warmer spots for the months ahead. If you have issues, try placing bowls of white vinegar where you don’t want them to come. Use live traps (available online) to relocate them, or ultrasonic sound deterrents (choose ones safe for pets). Avoid glue traps and poisons – both are inhumane and disrupt the food chain.
Summer slime crimes
Slugs and snails can cause havoc in humid summers. To deter them kindly, scatter crushed eggshells, used coffee grounds or fine sawdust around plants. Skip beer traps – they’re cruel as the liquid fills their lungs. Instead, use pure copper mesh to make a mini barrier around your vegetable patch.
This summer, let’s fill the world with small acts of creature-kindness. Every compassionate choice creates a ripple effect – helping make the planet better, one insect at a time.
For more creature kindness and good-karma tips this spring and summer, feel free to reach out! Email me at InsectLoversUnite@gmail.com or join my Facebook group INSECT LOVERS UNITE.
