Why Wildlife Experts Want Gardeners to Scatter Tennis Balls: The Surprisingly Simple Trick Helping Small Animals Thrive

It may sound unusual at first, but wildlife experts across the UK, Europe, and beyond are encouraging gardeners to place tennis balls in their gardens— and no, it’s not a joke. This simple, low-cost idea is gaining attention because it helps protect some of the smallest and most vulnerable creatures that live right under our feet.

A Small Tool With a Big Impact

Garden wildlife faces many hidden dangers: heavy rain, flooding, plastic litter, and deep puddles in plant pots and buckets. For tiny animals like hedgehogs, small birds, shrews, frogs, newts, insects, and even baby mammals, these hazards can be life-threatening. Experts have found that tennis balls offer a clever, practical solution.

Placed in flowerpots, buckets, watering cans, or any container that could collect water, tennis balls act as:

1. Life-Saving “Floatation Devices”

When containers fill with rainwater, small animals can fall in and struggle to climb out. A floating tennis ball gives them something to cling to, helping them stay above water until they escape or until someone empties the container.

2. Natural Escape Ramps

The fuzzy texture of the ball gives animals grip, allowing them to climb. Even insects like beetles and bees can use the fuzzy surface to keep from drowning.

3. Simple Warning Signals

A tennis ball placed inside a bucket makes gardeners less likely to accidentally leave them lying open. If a ball is visible, the container isn’t forgotten.

Why This Matters for Garden Biodiversity

Gardens are becoming increasingly important as mini-wildlife refuges, especially in cities and towns. With habitat loss on the rise, even small steps can make a measurable difference.

Tennis balls help protect:

• Hedgehogs, which often wander into garden items searching for food
• Small songbirds curious about water sources
• Amphibians like frogs, which get trapped during breeding season
• Pollinators, including bees, that often fall into watering cans when drinking

Saving even a handful of these creatures each season contributes to stronger, healthier local ecosystems.

Part of a Growing Movement: Gardeners Helping Wildlife

Simple actions are inspiring communities everywhere. Along with tennis balls, wildlife experts recommend:

• Leaving small water bowls at ground level
• Creating log piles and leaf corners for shelter
• Avoiding chemical pesticides
• Leaving a few “wild” corners of the garden untouched
• Checking buckets, ponds, and plant pots regularly

The tennis ball idea stands out because it is cheap, quick, and easy — anyone can do it.

A Trend Worth Sharing

On social media, photos of tennis balls in gardens have already sparked curiosity and conversation. Many gardeners who tried it report fewer drowned animals and a greater awareness of how small creatures move through their yards.

This simple trick shows that caring for wildlife doesn’t always require large projects or special equipment. Often, it’s the small changes that create the biggest ripple of impact.

References

1. British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) – Guidance on preventing hedgehog drowning hazards in gardens and the use of floating aids in containers.
   British Hedgehog Preservation Society – Official Advice Pages.
2. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) – Recommendations for wildlife-friendly gardening, including water safety for small birds and amphibians.
   RSPB Wildlife Gardening Resources.
3. Froglife UK – Advice on protecting amphibians (frogs, toads, newts) from drowning risks in garden containers and ponds.
   Froglife – Garden Wildlife Safety Guidance.
4. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – Information on creating wildlife-supportive gardens and preventing harm caused by garden tools, pots, and water-holding items.
   RHS Gardening for Wildlife Guidelines.
5. Wildlife Trusts (UK) – Public outreach on simple garden actions to support biodiversity, including creating escape routes for small animals.
   The Wildlife Trusts – Help Wildlife at Home.
6. General urban ecology and biodiversity research – Studies highlighting the role of small home gardens in supporting local wildlife populations.
   Urban Ecology and Garden Biodiversity Journals.