How To Keep Black Rat Snakes Away

As National Wildlife Federation Naturalist, I ofttimes get questions from folks virtually "getting rid of" wild fauna in their yard. Specially snakes. Unfortunately, well-nigh of the advice you can find online on the subject is bad. Mothballs are often suggested, but they are toxic. Commercial snake "repellants" are unremarkably fabricated of the same chemical. Most importantly though, they don't work to repel snakes anyway, so don't waste your coin. Mowing or cutting away all of the vegetation and castor in your yard removes important habitat for birds, collywobbles and other backyard wild fauna.

And then what'south a person to practice when snakes show upwardly in their garden? The answer is sit back and enjoy information technology! In that location's no need to eliminate snakes in your yard.

Really the only problem is i of perception. Snakes are perceived equally "bad" considering of deep seated cultural traditions equally well as psychological phobia. Every bit a civilisation, nosotros fright snakes and we reinforce that fear in our children. And nevertheless, as a group snakes are some of the most harmless—and about important—wild animals that we can concenter to our gardens. In fact, the vast bulk of snakes are 100% harmless to people. Yet, the most mutual reaction near people have when they see a snake is to desire to kill or eliminate it.

Snake slithers in Maryland by Hannah Grove.

Black rat serpent in Maryland. Black rat snakes are non venomous and will usually freeze or retreat if threatened. Photograph past Hannah Grove.

At National Wild animals Federation we try to help people understand that if a serpent shows up in their yard, they are doing something correct. It'south something to exist historic. Information technology means that the yard is a good for you ecosystem that is helping wildlife of all kinds to survive. And those are the verbal kinds of yards that NWF certifies via our Garden for Wild fauna plan.

That said, we don't encourage wildlife getting into our homes, and so here are some tips to keep the snakes outside and avoid whatsoever conflicts with them:

Critter-proof your attic and basement or crawl-space areas by making sure all access entry points take tight fitting doors or windows. Caulk any cracks or crevices that might let snakes to enter.
Keep screens in windows and don't exit doors open.
Go on brush or rock piles and dense vegetation away from the foundation of your house.
Build castor or rock piles and plant dense vegetation on the outskirts of your property to attract snakes to those areas, away from your home.
If you have rats or mice in your habitation, piece of work to eliminate them as they tin be viewed as a nutrient source past snakes.

Garter snake in California. Photograph by Gary Nafis.
Never use cruel glue traps—for rodents or for snakes.
Encounters with venomous snakes in backyards are rare. Larn what snakes are venomous in your surface area so you know which snakes are really unsafe, and which are totally harmless. Here'south a cracking land-by-country list of venomous snakes in Northward America.
If you do encounter a venomous snake in your m, don't try to motion or impale it. Call a professional wildlife removal company with experience with venomous snakes, or only let it be if children and pets aren't present.
Hither are ii skilful listing of all the snakes in N America to help you identify any snake that shows up in your chiliad: Snakes of North America and Discover Life's Snake Guide.
Never deliberately approach any serpent or attempt to bear upon or handle it, and you'll eliminate any chance of ever existence bitten. This goes for all wildlife. Teach this rule to children.

Snakes are cute and of import wildlife. Enjoy them!

Want to brand the virtually out of gardening, and help wildlife? Become a wildlife gardener with the National Wildlife Federation. It'southward free and you'll get keen wild fauna gardening tips and learn how to certify your 1000 as an official habitat.

Garden for Wildlife