Although it is nearly impossible to truly keep outdoor spaces snake free a few preventative measures might keep them from hanging around.
What causes snakes in your yard.
Well watered mulched areas such as shrub beds and vegetable gardens also offer cool shelter for snakes in summer so be careful when walking or working in these areas.
Encounters with venomous snakes in backyards are rare.
Snakes will come into your yard in search of food water and shelter.
This is highly unscientific and untested.
Rumor has it that snakes hate the smell of ammonia and if you soak rags in it put them in plastic bags and scatter them outside your house it will cause snakes to stay away.
Grumpy gardener steve bender has some tips that are sure to bring snakes to your yard like letting your grass grow too long and leaving bowls of smelly pet food out.
Look for shed snake skins.
Snakes are known for regularly shedding their scaly skin and this can occur once per month in actively growing snakes.
Again probably best to just keep your yard neat.
Learn what snakes are venomous in your area so you know which snakes are actually dangerous and which are totally harmless.
When preparing to shed snakes may rub.
Shed snake skins are clear and have the snake s scale pattern on them.
Unfortunately there are several species of snakes that seem to prefer and thrive in wet environments including the all too common garter snake.
Eliminating these three basic necessities will make them much less likely to pay you a visit.
At the very least locate compost and wood piles as far from your house as you can.
And if you re like the rest of us who aren t fans of surprise hissing here are five things you should definitely avoid.
They are left behind when a snake sheds.
Some snake species even like to hang out around water sources in order to stay hydrated.
That means you might be housing snakes in your yard every time it rains and puddles begin to form.
Close down the food supply by reducing the rodent population.
Shorter grass means more exposure to predators like hawks and coyotes and also makes them much easier for you to spot.
Snake skins are a clear sign that snakes have been present in your yard at some point.
Mow your grass often and keep it cut short.
Shedded skin doesn t rot but some pest animals do eat it so the old skin may disappear.
If you keep your lawn and garden well irrigated you re more likely to attract frogs lizards birds and rodents which attract snakes.
Your backyard basement and or porch may provide an area of shelter for snakes.
If you do encounter a venomous snake in your yard don t try to move or kill it.
This process allows snakes to repair damaged skin and get rid of parasites.
Here s a great state by state listing of venomous snakes in north america.
Do moth balls really keep snakes away.