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The yard - There are four key ingredients to creating a garden space that critters will want to live in—food, water, shelter, and room.

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Sanctuary - The safer the animals feel, the more likely they will be to habitually visit your yard.

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Vegetation - Evergreen trees and shrubs will attract wildlife all year round.

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Bees - Honey bee populations are currently in decline. Planting a wide variety of colorful flowers will not only attract them, it will allow them to thrive.

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Deer - This woodland animal will be attracted to wax myrtle, blackberry, and spicebush.

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Chipmunks - This animal will return time and again for nuts and berries, although they will also eat insects, worms, and bird eggs.

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Butterflies - Just like bees, butterflies are drawn by vibrant colors. 

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Squirrels - This critter doesn't like being out in the open and will head towards tall trees with plenty of branches and foliage to build their nests.

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Squirrels - Trees with easily scalable bark are preferred.

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Rabbits - This animal will be drawn by green foliage and vegetables, if you choose to plant them in your yard.

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Hummingbirds - Nectar feeders will attract these colorful, little birds to your yard. Orioles and woodpeckers will also enjoy the nectar.

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Birds - A tried and proven way to attract birds is to place several types of bird feeders around the yard and include a variety of nut, seed, and fruit choices.

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Birds - While birds prefer building nests in trees, they will also appreciate small, warm shelters, such as birdhouses.

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Moving water - Animals will need plentiful and clean sources of water. Moving water, such as in a man-made waterfall, is more likely to attract birds.

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Moving water - You can also purchase a bird bath with a built-in fountain that circulates water.

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Birdbaths - Providing multiple bird baths, especially in different widths and depths, will attract other animals to your garden, such as rabbits and deer.

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Trash - If you want to avoid attracting rodents and raccoons, avoid leaving trash bins open or exposed.

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Kitchen scraps - It is also a good idea to avoid leaving out strong-smelling kitchen scraps and food, as they will attract pests.

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Household pets - Dogs and cats may destroy the wildlife habitats in your garden, so keep them confined to certain areas of the yard.

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Fence - If you must keep your yard fenced, it doesn't mean you won't attract wildlife. The little critters will still find their way through and larger animals will graze along the outer edge, especially if you leave food for them.

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Landscaping - Include pockets of densely planted vegetation throughout the yard for regional birds to use as shelter.

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Natural foods - Take advantage of food-producing plants and flowers when planting your garden. Berry bushes and seed-bearing flowers are popular choices.

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Pesticides - Pesticides and other chemical contaminants should be off-limits in your yard. They will deter animals from making their home there and possibly even harm them.

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Bird feeders - Basic seed mixes are a good starter for your bird feeders. However, more specialized foods will attract different species. For example, jays and magpies love peanut butter and orioles will gorge themselves on chunks of fruit.

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Nesting material - Offer plenty of weeds, grass clippings, dead flowers, leaves, and even bits of cotton or pet fur for birds and small critters to make their homes.

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Insect hotel - Also known as a bug hotel, this structure provides a variety of "rooms" to attract and house creepy-crawler visitors.

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Insect hotel - The structure also functions as a safe spot for hibernating insects such as butterflies and ladybugs.

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Be observant - The most important thing you can do to turn your backyard into a wildlife sanctuary is to be patient and observant.

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Be observant -

You will get a sense of what each animal likes and needs and determine how you can improve your backyard to maximize the number of animals that make their home there.

See also: The world's most colorful coral reefs

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