Some wild animals can make very good neighbors, despite some people's first impression. So here are some examples of animals you might like to have living in your back yard.

A single bat can catch up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour, so many people encourage them to settle in their yards by building bat houses.

Moles and gophers are actually good for the yard, because they help to aerate lawns and eat the grubs that damage grass and flowers. Raccoons and opossums also eat plant-damaging grubs, slugs, and rodents.

Snakes are timid, most are harmless, and they can help control the mouse and insect population. But if you'd prefer that they keep their distance, stack wood or junk piles far from the house, as snakes prefer this type of cover. While most snakes are of the nonpoisonous variety, your library can tell you how to identify any poisonous snakes in your area.

By allowing some animals to reside in your yard, you can eliminate those others that are impossible to live with. (SMACK MOSQUITO ON ARM.)

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