Guides: Gardening: Friendly Garden Critters

Butterflies

Butterflies are a beautiful and beneficial visitor for any garden. Learn how to attract them with information from these websites.

Attracting Butterflies with Florida’s Native Wildflowers
Support native butterflies by growing the Florida friendly plants listed on this guide from the Florida Wildflower foundation.
Butterfly Gardens
Learn how to design a successful butterfly garden using this guide from the UF IFAS extension.
Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database
Find native plants that butterflies love using the FNPS database.
Florida's Butterflies
Learn all about the butterflies found in Florida from the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Birds

Birds play an important role in the ecosystem by spreading seeds and keeping the insect population in check. Attract beautiful birds of every type to your yard with information from the following websites.

Attracting Birds with Florida’s Native Wildflowers
Learn about plants that will have birds flocking to your garden with these tips from the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Learn all about the birds of North America and how to identify them with this guide from the National Audubon Society.
Bird Feeder Hub
Learn more ways to attract birds to your yard with information from this blog.
Birds and Blooms Magazine
Find free gardening tips, DIY projects, and birding information with articles from Birds and Blooms magazine
Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database
Find native plants that birds love using the FNPS database.
Selecting a Bird Feeder
Different types of feeders attract different types of birds. Learn how to attract the birds you want with this guide from the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Check it out!

Birds and pollinators are a sure sign of a healthy backyard ecosystem, learn to attract them to your yard with these library resources.

Bees
Learn all about bees, and how to attract them, with these titles.
Birds
Learn how attract birds to your garden with these books.
Butterflies
Attract some of natures most beautiful pollinators to your garden with information from these resources.
More Beneficial Bugs
There are many bugs that can serve a beneficial role in your garden beyond pollinators. Garden bugs can keep pests away and help your plants thrive. Learn all about them with these resources.

Bees

Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in a healthy ecosystem. Learn how to support your local bee population, and even how to start your own bee colony, with the following resources.

Attracting Bees with Florida’s Native Wildflowers
Learn how to plan a bee friendly garden with these tips from the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Back Yard Beekeepers Association
Joining a beekeeping club is a great way to learn more about beekeeping, get answers to all those questions you have, and meet other folks with similar interests. Visit the Back Yard Beekeepers Association for more information on joining a club.
Beekeeper Registration
Those wanting to start and maintain a honey bee colony must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database
Find native plants that bees love using the FNPS database.
Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab.
Learn everything you need to know to start honey bee beekeeping at the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab.
Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association
Get connected with other Central Florida beekeepers at the Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association.
Plants for Pollinators
This Florida friendly plant list, from the UF IFAS extension, will have bees buzzing over to your garden in no time.
Pollinator Hotels
For those who want to provide a home to bees, without spending the time and money on a honey bee colony, a pollinator hotel may be the perfect fit. Learn all about how to build and maintain these solitary bee nesting sites here.