Bonfire season is upon us. We’ve put together some tips about how you can safely enjoy a wildlife conscious bonfire at your property.

Being based in Sussex, we are immersed in bonfire nights from September to the end of November. Sussex boasts dozens of bonfire societies and communities are not short of choices of displays from village fireworks through to large scale torch lit processions.

wildlife conscious Bonfire for garden clearance

As well as bonfires providing entertainment, they are also useful at this time of year as we complete garden maintenance ahead of the winter months. Fallen leaves, pruned branches and other wooden waste makes for a great bonfire for families to use at home. However, we must also be conscious of the wildlife we share outside space with.

Why be wildlife conscious with a bonfire

Unlit bonfires are very enticing for animals to seek shelter and build a winter home. Hedgehogs and toads in particular love a pile of wood and leaves. Unfortunately, gardeners often build their bonfire over a number of weeks, as they clear a garden and light it perhaps on bonfire night. This period of time allows for creatures to settle, nest and hibernate, which can be tragic when it comes to lighting the bonfire.

Refrain from lighting a bonfire

Instead of a wildlife conscious bonfire, homeowners and gardeners could consider not having a bonfire at all. Instead, branches and wood can be chipped and used for mulch and leaves can be composted. Furthermore, you could set aside a pile of garden waste to deliberately create a home for wildlife.

Furthermore, if your council provides you a brown bin, you can use this and have it collected, or take bulkier garden waste to the local tip in your car.

have a wildlife conscious bonfire by Building & lighting on the same day

A good way to ensure you have a wildlife conscious bonfire is to take it apart and rebuild it, before lighting it on the same day. Whilst this will prevent wildlife fatalities, it might disturb bugs, insects and small mammals, who will then have to seek shelter elsewhere.

If you can burn while you work, you can make a bonfire pile as you clear your garden waste and have several smaller bonfires over the course of a few weeks. This reduces the opportunity time wildlife has to find and settle in your bonfire pile. Having smaller bonfires can be less distressing for nearby domestic animals and are less likely to annoy the neighbours.

Section a bonfire off from wildlife

If a pile must be built in advance, consider using chicken wire around its perimeter. This will prevent larger mammals from being able to enter and set up home. Also refrain from building a bonfire under trees. Not only is there risk of burning the leaves or branches but the smoke can be harmful to birds and squirrels nesting in nearby trees.

Be conscious of what you are burning

Garden waste is one thing, but it can be tempting to put other flammable items on there too, such as an old desk. Be mindful not to add items with paint or varnish, as this is more polluting.   

Use Frogheath Landscapes Instead

If your garden clearance project is proving to be a bit much for you, please get in touch. Whilst we don’t offer garden maintenance, we do complete seasonal clearances. A team of experienced landscapers can come to your property and clear it of waste and prepare it for the following spring. We take away all waste, so you don’t need to worry about how you will dispose it.