Although many people have a fundamental fear of snakes, most of the time they are safe and peaceful creatures. Most snakes we find in the backyards of urban, suburban, or rural homes tend to be perfectly benign. But that doesn’t mean you want them under your feet and you can never be too careful. Rattlesnakes and copperheads, for example, are venomous and can survive in many different climates and environments. If you see a snake slithering around your yard, you can assume that it has made a home there or is simply passing through.
Snakes tend to be inconspicuous and secretive, feeding on rodents, birds and frogs rather than human flesh, so if you stay away from any snakes you see but can’t identify, you’ll be safe, as the Most snakes will not chase you. you. You shouldn’t scare a snake, especially a venomous one, because it will bite you if it feels threatened. That said, it is rare to be bitten and even rarer to die from a snake bite.
Most garden snakes in the US are garter snakes and water snakes up to 20 inches and 42 inches long respectively. Garter snakes come in a variety of colors and patterns, while water snakes tend to have brown or black spots. These non-venomous snakes can be a beneficial presence because they not only eat rats and moles, but also eliminate annoying insects, worms and cockroaches.
So even if you haven’t seen a snake with your own eyes, here are some clues to tell if they’re hiding in your yard.
1. Skins
If you see a translucent snake skin discarded in your yard, it is a definite indication that there is a snake, or more than one, on your property. All snakes molt (shed their skin) as they grow, and many hide nearby after shedding their skin.
Snakes can shed their skin every two months, depending on the species, and use trees and bushes to help shed the skin. While snakes can molt anywhere, they usually do so near their home base.
2. Trails
Snakes move by sliding along the ground. If you have soft soil in your garden, you may be able to distinguish between their various travel patterns. Different species of snakes have identifiable movement patterns that reveal trails or tracks you can follow. There are four main types of movements: concertina, lateral undulation, rectilinear movement and sliding thrust.
Snakes that use the concertina motion bend and straighten their bodies so you can see specific upper and lower tracks. These movements are especially used to enter holes or tunnels. Lateral undulation is the most common movement that creates wavy patterns on the ground. These patterns are easily seen as the snake pushes vigorously to overcome obstacles in the landscape, such as rocks, trees, and plants. Rectilinear movement is the opposite of lateral undulation in that the snake will use a pushing motion to move forward. This creates a straight track instead of a wavy track. The slide push consists of wider undulations as the snake moves toward its destination. Trail patterns can help determine the size of the snake and the speed at which it is moving.
3. Sounds
Snakes are usually silent, but occasionally some noises can alert you to their presence. Snakes do not like to be watched and often hide under leaves, in bushes or wood piles, and in other dark, quiet places. Therefore, you may hear leaves rustling or rustling, and even hissing, rattling, or humming if you get too close. Hissing is the most identifiable sound a snake makes, but it may also flick its tail, hiss, or click to protect itself from predators.
Now, these wild noises can come from a variety of wildlife that may also inhabit your garden, but they can also indicate the presence of snakes. Snakes also like indoors, so you may find them in your garage, basement, or attic, where they can cause audible nuisance.
4. Odors
Snakes generally do not smell, but certain species of snakes can give off odor in certain places. For example, rat snakes can smell pungent and their dens and burrows can also transmit this odor.
Cottonmouth and water moccasins produce a musky odor with their feces that reminds some people of skunks. Observers would have to be quite perceptive to notice a specific type of snake odor, especially given the wide variety of flora and fauna in most gardens.
5. Burrow holes
While snakes cannot dig their own protective holes, they inhabit holes in the ground that are already there, often old nests created by voles or moles, or hidden in grass, dirt, sandy soil, or under log mounds. or sticks. Hole openings are usually circular, but have a wide range in terms of depth and diameter. Seeing a skin or droppings in addition to a burrow will give you a better idea of whether a snake lives there or not. Spotting snake burrows can be a challenge, because snakes can slip into small spaces and even into gaps in rocks.
Consider that if you have identified a single snake hole, there may be others nearby. Be especially alert for piles of leaves, dirt, sticks, or grass. Multiple snake holes can mean multiple snakes or snakes that moved from one hole to another to avoid predators. Check snake holes to see if there are any snakes in the house. You can even set up a live camera to watch from afar, if you wish.
If you’re sure you have an unoccupied snake hole, you can close it by filling it with soil or covering it with netting, wire, or burlap, making sure the filling is flat and level with the ground.
6. Excrement
It is not easy to detect snake droppings and snakes do not defecate frequently. This is partly because snakes eat their prey whole in one sitting and it takes some time to digest a whole rat or mouse. However, when they defecate, the liquid substance is a mixture of urine and feces that may have a foul odor due to undigested matter and fermentation. This substance is deposited directly on the ground. While it can be difficult to identify snake droppings, there are some telltale signs that distinguish them from other wild droppings.
Snake feces are generally as wide as the snake’s body. In it you can also see remains of bones, hair, feathers or scales and even a white tip, similar to the excrement of lizards and reptiles or, alternatively, dark brown spots with a white tip. The location of the feces can also indicate where the snake has been recently and what direction it went.
7. Fewer or no rodents
While most people love their front and backyards for the abundance of natural wildlife they support, with the exception of rats and mice, you may see fewer small creatures, rodents, bird eggs, snails, and various insects, if There are snakes in your residence.
Snakes love to eat rats and mice and swallow them whole. Of course, the absence of rodents can also indicate that there is a cat in the neighborhood or other predators, but snakes can also be the cause.
How to keep your space snake free
The best way to avoid snakes in your yard is to take preventative measures. Be sure to seal or block off any spaces under your home that may act as natural nesting sites for snakes. Cracks in building foundations and the space under porches and decks are open invitations to snakes. The ground beneath your house is especially attractive as it provides a dark, moist environment that often attracts food from rodents and insects that snakes prefer. Also make sure there are no entry points from garages or outdoor sheds.
Keep your yard clean and tidy, as snakes love to investigate piles of wood, tall grass, trash, construction debris, and other dense environments. Remove food scraps that attract rodents, including pet food. Keep water bowls away from your house if you need to have water in the garden. If you’re looking for snakes in your yard, be sure to wear protective gear, especially gloves and eye protection, just in case.
While many people are frightened by the sight of snakes, remember that most are benign creatures and are part of our wildlife ecosystem. Many localities have strict laws against shooting, hitting, spraying, or otherwise abusing snakes. If you feel compelled to remove them from your property, try snake traps or repellents, both non-lethal solutions. Scents like cinnamon, clove, or ammonia often repel snakes, although make sure the products you use are non-toxic. Repellents can be spread around the location where snakes were observed or around the circumference of your property. The traps will also confine the snake alive so you can relocate it to a more secluded location at least 10 miles from your property. The best solution for most people is to simply call local animal control and let them remove the snakes in a humane and professional manner.
- 9 plants that repel snakes and keep them away from your garden
- Plus, here are 7 plants that repel squirrels and keep them away from your garden.
- There are also 7 plants that scare away cats
