Snakes often startle unsuspecting gardeners. Most snakes aren’t poisonous and prefer to avoid contact with people given the chance. But some behave differently and will take on a human encounter. Follow these tips to understand a snake’s habits and avoid getting too close to them.
1. Know Snake Habitats
Snakes spend most of their time in damp, cool, and protected areas. This is a part of their cold-blooded nature, regulating their body temperature and helping them find food.
You might see them gravitate towards any of these habitats:
- Rocky streams
- Woods
- Retaining walls
- Garages and sheds
- Underneath porches and decks
- Wood piles
On hot days, watch for snakes in shady areas. On cold days, they may sit in the sun, on a rock, or in your driveway for warmth.
2. Watch Your Watering
Proper watering protects your lawns and gardens but can draw in frogs, lizards, birds, and rodents, all of which are easy prey for snakes. Well-watered and mulched areas, such as shrub beds and vegetable gardens, offer cool shelter and food in the summer.
You don’t have to adjust proper watering habits to deter snakes. Just be mindful, especially around birdbaths and water features in your yard.
3. Control the Rodent Population
Snakes hunt rodents, many of whom consider gardens an open buffet. If you control your local rodent population, you can also narrow the appeal of your yard to snakes. These tips can get you started:
- Store pet food in sealed containers.
- Keep bird feeders and nesting boxes away from your home.
- Seal potential entry points inside your home.
4. Know Snakes’ Temperament
Snakes are sluggish in the early spring when they’re fresh out of hibernation and in the late fall when they’re ready to sleep again. During these seasons, they might be too inactive to move out of the way or warn you before striking.
In warmer months, snakes move faster and act more quickly. They could warn you before they strike, or be more energetic and aggressive.
5. Lift Carefully
One way snakes cool off is by nestling under objects, such as rocks, flowerpots, and pieces of wood. If you’re lifting something off the ground in your yard, use a pole and lift it toward you so the object is between you and the snake.
6. Don’t Tiptoe
Snakes don’t have the best sense of hearing, but they excel at picking up vibrations. If you’re out in the garden, talk, whistle, use tools deliberately, or tap the ground with your foot every so often to make your presence known. A snake is more apt to slide away.
7. Stay on Beaten (or Lit) Paths
On larger lots and during hiking trips, watch where you walk and reach. Stick to open pathways where you can, and steer clear of overgrown areas and fallen logs. Clutter-free areas are less inviting to snakes.
You can deter snakes at night by installing lighting along your pathways and around your property. Motion-activated lights can deter both snakes and the smaller critters they hunt.
What To Do if You Find a Snake
While most snakes are independent, benign, non-venomous, and shy, you should still follow these common-sense precautions in case you come across one:
- Stay calm and still. Sudden movements can startle a snake and put them in defense mode.
- Slowly back away from the snake. Give the snake space to escape. Most species will only bite if provoked and there’s no other way out of the confrontation. If they see a path out, they’ll usually take it first.
- Don’t attempt to handle the snake. Snakes are more likely to bite if you touch or try to move them yourself.
Snakes will move on once they’ve exhausted their food supply. Unless you have a never-ending rodent population, they’re not likely to hang around your yard forever.
Further Information
- Dealing with Black Snakes Around Your Home or Garden (article)
- Snakes of North America (University of Pittsburgh)
