Simple change that helps winter wildlife
As temperatures drop, small animals rely on gardens for food, shelter, and safe access routes. A viral tennis ball tip has spread because it is low-cost, easy to install, and can reduce accidental harm to hedgehogs, birds, and other small mammals.
This article explains what the tennis ball tip is, why it works for winter wildlife, and gives clear instructions you can use in your garden.
What is the tennis ball tip for winter wildlife?
The tennis ball tip involves placing modified tennis balls at specific spots in a garden to make holes, gates, and low openings easier for animals to find and pass through safely. It is a visual marker and soft reminder that helps reduce entrapment or injury.
People commonly use this for small access holes in fences, garden sheds, and low railings. It works because the bright, familiar shape draws attention without harming animals.
How the tennis ball tip helps winter wildlife
There are three practical benefits of the tennis ball tip for winter wildlife:
- Visibility: Tennis balls are bright and catch the eye of nocturnal animals and gardeners alike.
- Soft buffer: A halved or mounted tennis ball adds a soft edge to openings, reducing sharp corners that can injure animals.
- Route marking: Balls mark common entry and exit points, helping hedgehogs and other species remember safe routes in poor light.
These benefits are particularly useful in winter when reduced daylight and vegetation cover make navigation harder.
Where to use the tennis ball tip in your garden
Common places to apply the tennis ball tip include:
- Small gaps at the base of fences and gates used by hedgehogs.
- Low openings in sheds or compost bins that wildlife could enter.
- Edges of decking or raised beds where animals may misjudge steps in the dark.
Step-by-step: Make and place the tennis ball safety tip
Follow these steps to create a simple, wildlife-friendly marker or buffer using a tennis ball.
- Gather materials: one tennis ball, scissors or utility knife, strong string or thin wire, and a small drill or awl if you need a mounting hole.
- Prepare the ball: Cut the ball in half for a low-profile buffer or cut a small slot so it can clip over a thin rail. For a hanging marker, drill a small hole through the center.
- Mount or hang: Use string or wire to secure the ball to a fence post, gate latch, or the entrance rim of a hole. Ensure it does not obstruct the opening for animals.
- Check stability: Tug gently to confirm it will not fall into a hole where an animal could get trapped.
- Monitor and adjust: Watch the spot for a few nights and move the ball a little if it seems to block or confuse animals.
Materials and safety considerations
Use clean, intact tennis balls. Avoid small toy pieces or damaged balls that could break into pieces and become hazards.
Important safety tips:
- Do not use glue or small attachments that could break off and be swallowed.
- Avoid placing balls where water can collect and freeze, creating ice hazards for animals.
- Check regularly for wear and remove or replace balls that are deteriorating.
Hedgehogs can travel up to two kilometres each night looking for food and shelter. Marking safe routes across gardens helps them conserve energy during winter.
Case study: A suburban garden that made a difference
In one suburban area, a group of neighbours noticed hedgehog footprints disappearing near a locked compost bin. They added a halved tennis ball as a soft marker over a small access cut-out.
Over the following month, volunteers recorded frequent hedgehog visits using a simple motion-activated camera. The camera footage showed animals using the marked hole more confidently, and fewer incidents of animals getting stuck were reported.
This small intervention required minimal cost and time but improved local wildlife safety across several gardens.
Practical tips and variations for the tennis ball tip
Use these variations to suit different garden setups:
- Paint one half of the ball with non-toxic paint for better visibility in dim light.
- Tie the ball at multiple heights to guide animals across uneven ground.
- Combine the ball marker with a shallow ramp for steep edges to make access easier for slower animals.
When not to use the tennis ball tip
Do not install balls in locations where larger animals might become entangled or where strong winds could blow them into roads. Avoid use near beehives or other sensitive wildlife installations.
Final checklist before you install
- Confirm the opening is actually used by wildlife before making permanent changes.
- Choose materials that weather well and are non-toxic.
- Monitor for the first weeks to ensure the change helps and does not create new risks.
The viral tennis ball tip is a practical, low-cost way to make gardens safer for winter wildlife. With careful placement and simple monitoring, anyone can help small animals navigate gardens more safely during the colder months.