Why water & wildlife?

At Rachio, we’re pretty passionate about saving water outdoors. But we also recognize that, sometimes, other creatures could use it more than us! So if you have a little water to spare, consider using it to provide a water source for animals and pollinators in your yard or garden.

Helping animals & encouraging biodiversity

It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to create a water oasis in your yard for the animals and insects that need it most. Water sources are especially essential in hot weather, when animals might struggle to find reliable water access.

Winter is also a challenging time for animals, as their preferred water sources might become scarce or even inaccessible once freezing temperatures arrive.

A win-win for your garden

Giving a little space and water over to the wildlife in your yard can help can pay dividends in your garden. Pollinators like butterflies, moths, and bees that visit for a drink will often stick around and move pollen from flower to flower, fertilizing your plants and leading to more fruitful plant production.

Types of water stations

Bird baths

A perennial favorite yard feature, bird baths can be just the ticket to providing feathered friends with some of their hydration needs.

Birds also rely on water to help them remove parasites, so adding a bird bath to your yard can help them stay clean and healthy.

Pro tip: You can fill your bird bath automatically using a Rachio Smart Hose Timer!

Butterfly “puddling” stations

Check out these tips on creating water resources for butterflies in your yard. Since these flying critters can’t land on open water, they need special accommodations like shallow water depth and hard surfaces (like miniature stepping stones) to avoid drowning.

Bee watering stations

Similar to the butterfly feature above, these shallow water structures can help attract pollinators to your yard and benefit your flowering plants. Bee watering stations are easy to make at home; no creativity necessary!

How to offer water to your animal friends

If you want to start offering water to the wildlife around your yard, you can pick up a bird bath at most garden centers or hardware stores. But it can be just as easy (and a whole lot more fun!) to make one at home yourself.

DIY ideas for your yard

• Check out these creative ideas from The Spruce on making your own DIY bird bath
• If you want to go big, you could consider adding a small (or not-so-small) pond to your landscape. A pond can provide small animals and insects with habitat as well as water.
• For smaller yards, consider installing a container water garden. Aquatic plants help complete this look and add a lot of visual interest to your outdoor space.

Don't forget! Keep it full

Once you establish your water source, make sure to keep it full so that animal visitors can rely on your yard for this precious resource. Top it off every couple days with a hose or watering can, or use a Smart Hose Timer to automatically refill your pond, container, or bird bath.