Why People Are Tossing Tennis Balls Into Their Yard This Winter
It might look strange at first glance, but there's a growing trend of people tossing old tennis balls into their yards during the winter months. While it may seem like a leftover from summer games or a quirky decoration choice, there's actually purpose behind it. The simple act is proving to be helpful to wildlife and even beneficial for the yard itself. Here's why more people are getting on board with this idea.
Helping Birds Find Safe Perches
In winter, snow and ice cover most natural perches like rocks, branches, and fence posts. Birds, especially small ones, need safe spots to rest or scout for food. Tossed tennis balls offer a dry, elevated spot above the snow. Their color and shape provides a steady, visible platform that doesn't freeze over easily. Placing them in open areas can make a big difference for birds trying to conserve energy in freezing weather.
A Low-Cost Way to Support Wildlife
Not everyone can build birdhouses or keep up with feeders, especially when it's freezing out. Tossing a few old tennis balls in the yard is an easy, no-maintenance way to help support scavenging wildlife. It's especially helpful for those who live in areas with heavy snow, where natural shelter becomes much more limited. Tennis balls don't attract pests, and there’s no food to refill. It's an easy act that still offers real benefit to creatures trying to get through the winter.
Better Than Ice or Snow Piles
During icy stretches, snow piles freeze solid, and the surfaces become slippery or dangerous for birds to land on. Tennis balls, by comparison, stay relatively grippy and don't freeze flat to the ground. They give birds a bit of height and texture to balance on. In some cases, small mammals like chipmunks or squirrels may also use them as markers or stepping points to move around deep snow.
Repurposing Instead of Tossing in the Trash
Tennis balls wear out quickly on the court but don't break down in the landfill. Instead of throwing them out, giving them a second use in the yard reduces that waste. It’s a small but thoughtful way to extend the life of something before discarding it. If you have a few rolling around the garage or basement, they can be put to use immediately. No extra effort or cost required.
Safe for Pets, Too
If you've got dogs that roam the yard in winter, tennis balls are already familiar. They’re soft enough to not cause harm and visible enough to be found even in some snow. Just be mindful of wear and tear, and swap out any that start to fall apart. Pets and wildlife can safely share the space if things are kept clean and supervised.
Tossing tennis balls into the yard this winter isn't just random or quirky. It’s a small, meaningful step that supports the birds and small animals that stay active through the cold months. It’s cheap, easy, environmentally friendly, and for many people, it’s a way to feel like they’re helping, even in the dead of winter, when nature needs a little extra support.