How to Handle a Garter Snake Problem
Regardless of what you call it, ‘garter snake,’ ‘garden snake,’ or ‘ribbon snake,’ this type of snake is considered harmless. Well, they aren’t venomous and they typically shy away from humans, but THEY ARE SNAKES! Nobody wants to have friends over for a barbecue and then spend the evening apologizing for the snakes crawling across the patio. So, we put together a few tips on how to handle a garter snake problem.
Identify Your Snake
First, you need to make sure you are dealing with garter snakes and not something poisonous. A garter snake has a stripe along its spine for the entire length of the snake’s body. They come in a variety of colors and are typically small, measuring between 23 and thirty inches long.
In California and along the West Coast, garter snakes are more aquatic than those found in the Midwest. That means you might find more of them near ponds or aquatic features. However, they can adapt to pretty much any habitat. So, they may be crawling around your foundation or along a fence row.
Many of the species of garter snake in California are considered endangered and you cannot collect them without a permit. This presents homeowners with a bit of a problem. Not many people want to set up a snake wildlife preserve in their backyard. Therefore, if you are overrun, you probably need to call your pest control company to help you identify which species is causing your problem.
How to Get Rid of Your Snakes
After you have identified which species of garter snake has taken over your yard, you will know whether or not you need a permit to remove them. If they are endangered, call your pest control company. They can handle the situation quickly and easily.
If it’s just your ‘garden variety’ of ‘garden snake’ (pun intended), then you can trap them yourself. Your local hardware store should have a variety of traps. Depending on how you feel about snakes, you can choose one to permanently remove your problem, or you can trap and relocate. If you plan to relocate the snake, make sure you drive at least a mile from your home before letting it go. They will return ‘home’ if you release it closer than that.
Regardless of how you dispose of the snake, don’t touch it. Even though they are not poisonous, they will bite when provoked. Just open the trap and tip the snake onto the grass. Typically, they will slither away from you. Unlike other types of snakes, they are not aggressive when there is an avenue of escape.
Call a Professional
Keep in mind that where you see several snakes, you probably have much more you don’t see. It only takes two to make lots of baby snakes. Therefore, we strongly suggest you call in a professional to assess your snake problem.
Accurate Pest Control can handle snake infestations, professionally and humanely. Call now so you won’t have to worry about unwanted guests at your next barbecue.
How to Handle a Garter Snake Problem
Regardless of what you call it, ‘garter snake,’ ‘garden snake,’ or ‘ribbon snake,’ this type of snake is considered harmless. Well, they aren’t venomous and they typically shy away from humans, but THEY ARE SNAKES! Nobody wants to have friends over for a barbecue and then spend the evening apologizing for the snakes crawling across the patio. So, we put together a few tips on how to handle a garter snake problem.
Identify Your Snake
First, you need to make sure you are dealing with garter snakes and not something poisonous. A garter snake has a stripe along its spine for the entire length of the snake’s body. They come in a variety of colors and are typically small, measuring between 23 and thirty inches long.
In California and along the West Coast, garter snakes are more aquatic than those found in the Midwest. That means you might find more of them near ponds or aquatic features. However, they can adapt to pretty much any habitat. So, they may be crawling around your foundation or along a fence row.
Many of the species of garter snake in California are considered endangered and you cannot collect them without a permit. This presents homeowners with a bit of a problem. Not many people want to set up a snake wildlife preserve in their backyard. Therefore, if you are overrun, you probably need to call your pest control company to help you identify which species is causing your problem.
How to Get Rid of Your Snakes
After you have identified which species of garter snake has taken over your yard, you will know whether or not you need a permit to remove them. If they are endangered, call your pest control company. They can handle the situation quickly and easily.
If it’s just your ‘garden variety’ of ‘garden snake’ (pun intended), then you can trap them yourself. Your local hardware store should have a variety of traps. Depending on how you feel about snakes, you can choose one to permanently remove your problem, or you can trap and relocate. If you plan to relocate the snake, make sure you drive at least a mile from your home before letting it go. They will return ‘home’ if you release it closer than that.
Regardless of how you dispose of the snake, don’t touch it. Even though they are not poisonous, they will bite when provoked. Just open the trap and tip the snake onto the grass. Typically, they will slither away from you. Unlike other types of snakes, they are not aggressive when there is an avenue of escape.
Call a Professional
Keep in mind that where you see several snakes, you probably have much more you don’t see. It only takes two to make lots of baby snakes. Therefore, we strongly suggest you call in a professional to assess your snake problem.
Accurate Pest Control can handle snake infestations, professionally and humanely. Call now so you won’t have to worry about unwanted guests at your next barbecue.
