By Barbara Fahs, Garden Guides Contributor
About Snakes
Although beneficial varieties of snakes can help control other
garden pests, you certainly don't want any poisonous snakes on your
property.
Prevention and Control
Using bird netting in your garden can be effective in tangling up
snakes--they just can't get out, and then you can carefully dispose
of them. If you have rattlesnakes, it's smart to wear protective
shoes and long pants.
Affected Plants
Venomous snakes are a hazard to humans, pets and livestock but not
to the plants that provide them with food and shelter.
Damage
Poisonous snakes can present a true hazard to small animals and
sometimes kill even larger livestock when they bite them on the
head.
Predators
Hawks, owls and eagles will eat rattlesnakes as will the king
snake. But don't expect these predators to solve your snake problem
100 percent.
Natural Controls
Keep your garden free of mice, rats, frogs, ponds and other
standing water. An electronic snake repellant emits a pulsing
vibration that snakes do not like. Glue boards can be helpful, but
you'll have to deal with the angry snake after it's stuck. If you
keep vegetation closely mowed, you'll naturally remove habitats for
snakes.
Other Methods of Control
You won't want snakes in or around your house, so seal up openings
with mortar, hardware cloth or steel wool to deny them access. Be
on the lookout for any areas that offer a cool, damp, dark place
for them to live, and alter those environments.
