Why you should leave a tennis ball in your water sources in winter?

The English have the habit of placing tennis balls in water points in winter.

This is a recommendation from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

By doing this, they prevent water sources from freezing completely to help the animals.

It’s a small gesture that costs nothing and can be of great service to animals. In England, it is not uncommon to see old tennis balls floating in water sources during the cold season. These are not oversights, negligence or laziness, but a recommendation from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the equivalent of our SPA.

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A tennis ball to help animals

In winter, water points can freeze. A thin layer of ice on the water surface can form, making access difficult or even inaccessible for animals. However, many of them need this access to drink, hydrate, feed themselves or for their hygiene. Leaving an old tennis ball on the surface of the water will prevent the ice layer from closing completely. Indeed, as it moves with the wind, it allows the creation of a small opening. The birds will then be able to come and drink during the winter. It is also a way of protecting aquatic insects, but also fish in ponds or ponds. When the water surface is frozen, aquatic life sees its oxygen reduced and aquatic plants cannot produce enough. The small opening created by the tennis ball will therefore allow gas exchange and thus help the survival of the little world that populates the ponds and ponds.

Protecting the biodiversity of your garden in winter

The cold season is particularly harsh for wild animals. Hedgehogs, birds, insects and other small creatures may try to find shelter in your garden to spend the winter. To help them and to protect biodiversity in the garden, avoid mowing your lawn before winter or practice differentiated mowing. Taller grass provides refuge for wildlife. Don’t hesitate to set up bird feeders or nesting boxes and insect hotels. Hedgehogs are very vulnerable during this period. Some people cannot find shelter to hibernate and you can help them by offering them shelter. A small box made up of a few branches, under a pile of wood, sheltered from the wind, rain and sun, is enough to keep them safe. Finally, do not hesitate to place a shallow dish of water in the garden to allow birds and other animals to hydrate.