How to Get Rid of Garter Snakes Safely Without Harming Them Full Guide of 2024

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If you’re tired of garter snakes slithering into your space, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

We’ll show you how to get rid of garter snakes safely and humanely.

You won’t believe how easy it is to keep them out of your home and yard for good.

Identifying Garter Snakes

You’ll spot a garter snake by its slender build and the colored stripes running the length of its body.

These non-venomous snakes feature stripes in shades of red, yellow, orange, gray, and green along a background color that can range from brown to nearly black.

Flicking a two-pronged tongue with a black tip, garter snakes rely heavily on their sense of smell.

Though some can reach lengths over 5 feet, most stretch 1-3 feet long.

Preferring moist areas near water and vegetation, these snakes often appear in backyards and gardens.

While the sight may startle, a gentle garter snake poses little harm to careful residents who seal cracks snakes could enter and eliminate easily accessible food that draws them near homes.

Why Garter Snakes Enter Homes

Garter snakes often find their way into homes when seeking food or shelter.

They are able to enter through small cracks and holes in search of rodents, insects, or a safe place to reside.

Preventing access and removing these attractants can help discourage garter snakes from entering your home.

Seeking Food

In looking for easy meals, garter snakes may enter homes and other buildings in search of rodents or amphibians to prey upon.

Understanding their natural predatory behavior allows us to modify their habitat humanely through eco-friendly solutions:

• Community education
• Sealing cracks
• Using snake repellents

These solutions discourage the snakes from entering while keeping everyone safe.

Seeking Shelter

Finding refuge from extreme temperatures, garter snakes enter homes through cracks in foundations or gaps beneath doors when searching for warm, safe places to overwinter.

Their nesting habits lead them to seek out small, enclosed spaces to hibernate.

Eliminating access by sealing cracks and gaps prevents them from impacting your home environment.

Applying snake deterrents along the perimeter creates an unpleasant barrier, protecting your space while allowing them to follow their natural reproductive cycles untouched by predators.

Removing Snakes Without Harm

When confronting garter snakes, it’s crucial to remove them humanely without harm.

These humane snake deterrents will encourage garter snakes to leave without inflicting harm.

Seal Entry Points

You can seal cracks between the house and stoop or patio to prevent snakes from overwintering.

Fill holes or cracks in the foundation using tuck-pointing, expandable caulking, or standard repair techniques during the summer when snakes are inactive.

An energy audit company can help locate cracks.

Modifying fencing or clearing debris also discourages snakes by eliminating places to hide.

Eliminate Food Sources

After sealing entry points, you’ll want to eradicate rodents from the home or garage.

To discourage snakes from entering, remove their food sources and nesting sites.

Store pet food in sealed metal containers.

Eliminate messy bird feeders.

Tidy clutter that encourages rodents to take up residence.

A clean home leaves little allure for snakes seeking easy meals.

With some Eco-friendly landscaping techniques, you can humanely transform your yard into a snake-unfriendly space.

Use short grass and trimmed vegetation.

Modify Landscaping

Although you’ve already eliminated food sources, you should also modify your landscaping to discourage snakes:

• Keep grass short and remove hiding spots for rodents.
• Use snake-friendly native plants like sedum or lamb’s ear.
• Create a rock garden with small pebbles rather than damp mulch.
• Replace railroad tie walls with solid masonry.
• Mow and trim all vegetation.

Creating Barriers

You can create effective barriers to discourage garter snakes without using harmful methods.

Attaching hardware cloth or aluminum flashing to the bottom of existing fencing prevents snakes from entering while letting them pass by unharmed.

Repellents like Snake-A-Way also deter snakes through scent and texture, providing a humane barrier around your home’s perimeter.

Hardware Cloth Fencing

In conjunction with removing hiding spots, you’re able to modify an existing fence to help deter snakes.

Attach hardware cloth or aluminum flashing to the bottom exterior of the fence.

DIY alternatives like 24-inch hardware cloth can effectively snake-proof picket, chain-link, or split-rail fences.

Bury the bottom 2-4 inches of the hardware cloth to deter entry while allowing drainage and snake-friendly landscaping.

Though initially expensive, fencing lasts years and prevents recurring snake problems in a humane, eco-conscious way.

Ask neighbors about their DIY snake deterrent experiences.

Hardware cloth attaches easily with zip ties or staples for a custom, long-term snake barrier.

Repellents

You can also create barriers by using snake repellents or deterrents.

• Try homemade repellents like oils, mothballs, or ammonia.

  Be aware these may harm plants.

• Look for natural snake repellents based on essential oils like clove or cinnamon.
• Commercial repellents like Snake Shield are very effective if used properly.

Preventing Future Problems

Your vigilance in keeping garter snakes out can prevent future problems.

Habitat modifications like regularly mowing grass, pruning shrubs, and clearing clutter limit snake appeal.

Snake-friendly gardens avoid damp mulch piles and large decorative rocks.

Educate neighbors on humane removal methods and sustainable solutions.

Permanently seal entry points into homes.

Simple environmental impacts like relocating bird feeders deter pests that attract garter snakes seeking food.

Stay diligent in maintaining clutter-free yards and sealing cracks.

With thoughtful prevention now, you can humanely keep garter snakes from invading your space in the future.

Living With Garter Snakes

How can you coexist with garter snakes around your home?

While they can startle you, garter snakes are generally harmless neighbors.

Create snake-friendly gardens with native plants, brush piles, and water features.

Use barriers like repellents and hardware cloth fencing to kindly guide snakes away from high traffic areas.

If a snake gets inside, remain calm and use humane removal techniques like trapping and relocation.

Educate family and community members on snake coexistence, ethical removal practices, and habitat preservation.

With understanding and a few safety measures, we can peacefully share our outdoor spaces with these gentle creatures.

Getting Help

Although you can take many preventative measures and use repellents to deal with garter snakes yourself, if you’re having severe or persistent problems, you may need to seek professional help.

With some persistence and the right help, you can find an effective and humane solution for getting rid of garter snakes on your property.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)