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Garter Snakes

Summary: Having a couple of garter snakes in your garden is good. Garter snakes eat lots of insects and unwanted rodents and they keep pretty much to themselves. But, if you have a phobia about things that slither, then you'd better read on.

Garter snakes are our most common garden snake found abundantly from Canada to Central America. To have a garter snake or two in the garden is good. These non-poisonous snakes eat pest insects, mosquito larvae, slugs, snails, crickets, rats, mice, voles and even other snakes which may be poisonous. But, if snakes freak you out and you can't walk in the lawn knowing snakes are present, then here are some steps you need to take.

First, mow your lawn often and don't allow grass to grow up along the sides of your house or other structures. Snakes seek cover for protection and tall grasses provide the perfect hiding place. Now, look around your property and

start eliminating other snake hiding places.

That perfectly stacked wood pile needs to be away from the house and sitting on some type of stand. It cannot be sitting directly on the ground. And, how about those beautiful piles of decorative rocks you worked so hard on? Yep! Those are a great den for snakes. How much did you say you hate snakes? If you're registering a “10” on the “I hate snakes” scale, the rocks have go to go. Trim bushes so low lying branches are removed. Remember, snakes love the security of those bushes. Piles of leaves and any other debris need to be removed, too. I never said this would be easy.

Now, let's talk about things that snakes eat. You will need to pay special attention to making sure you are not attracting food that snakes like. Things like rodents and insects need to be controlled around your house. Make sure you are not attracting rodents. Keep trash in good-sealing trash containers. Seal or screen places where mice or squirrels can hide like under porches and in garages. You'll also have to consider treating around your foundation with an insecticide or other insect repellent. Snakes also like to eat crickets, grasshoppers and other insects that tend to migrate toward the cool, moist perimeter foundations of houses. Keep the snake food out of your garden and you won't have snakes.

That's a lot of work to keep your snake phobia in check, but it's what needs to be done. I can assure you that snake repellents will not give you total control. Only the elimination of shelter and food will make snakes find new homes.

Comments

Charlie
21 Mar 2008, 08:29

I am thinking seriously about purchasing garter snakes to control the chipmunk population that has built up in my yard.
Due to a lof of building and destruction of their habitat I have dozens of holes in my yard.
I tried a trap with sunflower seeds, and I caught 1/2 dozen easily..however, when my wife saw the 'cute' little things she told me to let them go. So, to save myself the experience of staying in a doghouse, I let them lose.
Do garter snakes eat/get rid of chipmunks?
The family cat likes to roam around, would I have a problem there if I did have snakes? Can you suggest a good way to purchase about 1/2 dozen snakes?
Thank you!

Rick Steinau
24 Mar 2008, 10:01

Charlie: Garter snakes do, indeed, eat rodents and that would include chipmunks. If you want to purchase snakes I would contact a pet store. If they do not carry the snakes, they usually have customers who are raising snakes and coming to the pet store for mice to feed their pets.

Bob Kell
13 Apr 2009, 13:07

Rick,
Since we converted our basement wood burning fireplace into a gas fireplace a couple years ago we have had garter snakes coming into the house during the winter and early spring. Somehow they found a way into the chimney area. This past winter we have caught close to a dozen snakes.
any sugestions that doesn't include getting rid of our fireplace?

Ask the Exterminator
13 Apr 2009, 21:43

Bob,

Try doing a night-time check for openings. Put a powerful flashlight in the fireplace opening and go outside to check for light coming through any cracks. Other than that simple method I'm afraid you are going to have to speak to a chimney expert.

Erin
01 Jun 2009, 11:14

I have been told that if you pour bleach down a snake hole it will help to drive them away. Also they said to put moth balls down the holes too. Is there any truth to this?

Ask the Exterminator
01 Jun 2009, 11:52

Let's think about this. Bleach plus napthalene. That could be a pretty toxic mixture. I would not advise you to do it. Do the mothballs by themselves and you may have success.

michelle
08 Jul 2009, 15:44

in the last 2 days we have captured and released 3 large garter snakes living under my sidewalk. I poured snake repellent in there to no avail. Because there were 3, do you think there are a lot more in there? And we've moved them pretty far away - could they keep coming back? Any thoughts on what to do?

Ask the Exterminator
08 Jul 2009, 15:53

Since they can have up to 50 babies, I'd say you are in for a battle. Some garter snakes are known to travel more than a couple of miles during certain times of the year.

tara
24 Aug 2009, 20:47

We have just recently taken in a garter snake for a pet and a few days ago it shed its skin but it won't eat anything. we've tried meal worms, earthworms, grasshoppers and now we put in some minnows that we caught from the lake but it doesn't seem interested. How long can he go without eating before we should think about letting him go?. I read that they may not eat when they shed so should i be concerned? What else can we try? Thankyou Tara

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Garter Snakes

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