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How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Garden

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For many people, spotting a snake in your garden or yard is a terrifying experience. Depending on where you live, not all snakes are dangerous, and some may even be beneficial as they keep pests — like rats, mice and even other snakes — at bay. But even having a nonpoisonous snake sneak up on you while you're planting, weeding, water and harvesting may prevent you from enjoying your outdoor space. If you can relate to that, here are some tips on keeping snakes out of your garden:

Get Rid of Hiding Places

Once of the best ways to keep snakes out of your garden is to get rid of the things that attract them in the first place. Hiding spots where they can sit and wait for prey or even build nests should be first. Mow the grass before it gets too high. Keep your garden free of weeds. Get rid of any brush, and keep your bushes, shrubs and trees trimmed. You'll also want to remove any clutter from your garden area. Wood piles, rocks, piles of tools and any other piles of items that can create a good hiding space should be cleaned up or moved to a new location.

Don't Attract Prey

It's not enough just to get rid of potential snake hiding places. You need to go out of your way to avoid attracting a snake's prey to your garden. Start by removing the bird feeder. Even though it may attract array of beautiful birds, squirrels and chipmunks to your garden, a snake sees it as a dinner buffet. Overwatering your plants and lawn can attract snails, slugs and frogs, as can small ponds. These creatures also make for a good meal for a snake. If you have pets, ranging from dogs and cats to farm animals, feed them away from your garden, as the food can attract mice and rats. Finally, if you have backyard chickens, collect the eggs regularly, or you'll find snakes hanging around your garden waiting to get into your coop.

Make Your Own Deterrents

You may see products in the store that claim to deter snakes with ingredients like sulphur. The truth is these products don't actually work, but there are some things you can do that might help keep snakes away. The first option is the most natural. Keep in mind a snake is typically just as scared of you as you are of it, so any signs you're around may deter them from your garden. Some people remove the hair from their hairbrushes or save the clippings when they get their hair cut and sprinkle them around the garden. The snake smells it and assumes humans are around. White vinegar sprinkled around your garden is another option, and it's safe for you and your pets. Just keep in mind that it may kill some of your plants if it comes in contact with them. Rags soaked in ammonia may also keep snakes away from a certain area.

Build a Fence

Technically, building a fence won't keep a snake out of your garden, but it does provide an obstacle, and if nothing else, it may keep other creatures that harm your plants, like rabbits and deer, away. The fence should start a few inches below the surface level of your garden to keep snakes from going underneath it. It should also be made from solid wood with hardware cloth or strong mesh that's no bigger than one fourth of an inch. At the top of the fence, you'll want to create a slope or bend so the snake can't crawl over. Check regularly for cracks or holes that may need to be sealed.

When You Do Spot a Snake…

While all of these methods may help you keep snakes out of your garden, if you live in an area where snakes are plentiful, there is still a good chance you'll see one occasionally. If you do, don't panic, don't kill it and don't try to relocate. All of these actions can end up harming you more than the snake. If you happen to have your hose handy, spraying water at the snake will send it in the opposite direction. You can also try calling animal control or your local wildlife management organization to help with snake identification. If the snake isn't poisonous, it can be a friend to your garden.