Why Do I Have Snakes in My Yard?
Snakes are timid reptiles that avoid interacting with humans. Though, since lawns often have shelter, water, and food available, snakes will gravitate to them. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since snakes consume mice and other rodents, making them free pest control. Most snake species in the US are not dangerous to humans, though there are some venomous species. The materials listed below were compiled by SnakeSnap to assist you in learning how to keep snakes away without endangering the environment around you.
Your lawn, that you also share with the natural world, can serve as a haven for snakes. Although the design of your lawn and flower beds may be completely up to you, the animals that decide to visit are ultimately not. Generally, having debris piles for snakes to hide in and having permanent bodies of water that provide hydration and a hunting grounds increases the chances of finding snakes in your yard.
It may be frightening to come home to find a real "snake in the grass" while performing yard maintenances. Although it may be unpleasant to think of snakes nearby, experts point out that they really provide a number of advantages, presenting no threat to grass or plant life while consuming pests like mice, toads, slugs, grasshoppers, and rodents that may destroy your garden.
You may spend a considerable amount of time living next to snakes without ever detecting their presence since they are inherently reticent and quiet animals. This is because snakes spend most of their time under cover, and even when they are moving, they cause relatively little disturbance in their surroundings.
Snakes go into human-populated regions in quest of food and refuge. The simplest action you can do is to lessen their attraction to your house and yard.
Eliminate snake issues by getting rid of rats and other snake feeding sources. Keep pet food in secure containers and keep animal feed out of the way.
Snakes like to hide in warm or cool shelters, depending on your local weather. Seal any openings larger than 14 inches in diameter that lead into your crawl space or basement.
Ensure that window screens and door sweeps are a tight fit. Galvanized screening should be used to cover vents and drains that enter your property.
Snakes may also hide under stacks of wood, rubbish, and other waste. Keep your yard clean of any potential hiding areas, such as tall grass and weeds that may attract snakes.
Never touch any snake unless you are certain of its species since certain snakes may be hazardous. If you are unsure of the sort of snake you are dealing with, assume it may be venomous. Keep children and pets away from it and avoid handling it. When threatened, snakes are more inclined to bite. If you can, try to get a picture of the snake using the SnakeSnap App to help with identification.
Snakes don't have feet, but they do leave a trail on the ground that you could find in the grass or loose soil. Since most snakes have extremely distinct and distinctive ways of moving, it's actually a little simpler to see their tracks and where they've been moving about on your property.
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