what do I do about garter snakes?

Question

please don't give me the "they are good for your yard" junk...
the kids wont go outside, and many people dont like them, so when they come over they get creeped out!

so what do i do? call someone, kil them, or what?

thanks

Answer 1

dale has it right... you'll have to change the landscape... no tall grassy plants where they can hide, no shrubs that are down to the ground.... keep the grass mowed short so they cannot hide there either....

there are products like "snake-away'' that you can put at the edges of your property that may help....

otherwise, education will take away much of the fear..... it's sad that something so small and harmless can instill that kind of fear in a grown person.....

Answer 2

It sounds like you must have a lot of them. One once in a while should not creep anyone out; garter snakes are harmless. If you do have a lot, you have an environment they like. The best solution is to change that. Are you rural, urban, suburban? Cut the grass, pull the weeds, more water, less water. Mow the flower garden (after the blooming). Are they under your house? A simple spray of home defense insecticide could chase them away. These are sensitive animals and they don't like chemicals. A small change could make a big difference. If all else fails, get a cat. Good luck.

Answer 3

Wild snakes carry parasites and mites that can be transferred to your blue garter snake, so don't do it! Release the common, he belongs in Colorado, and seeing from your other post you INTENIONALLY want to rip them out of the wild, which is stressful and cruel to the snake.

Answer 4

Many people are freaked out about any snake. Yes, garter snakes can bite. I once fed a whole fish to a garter snake and his mouth opened so wide and swallowed it whole. Maybe the police will come out and remove it like they do with harmful snakes, but I am not really sure.. Contact Animal control and see what they can advise. I understand the fear of your children and your job is to keep them safe........whatever it takes............even if you have to kill it. Good luck.
P.S. Wish I was there to help as I am not afraid of snakes. Maybe you can set up a trap.

Answer 5

You must have a lot of them. I would call Animal Control for whatever town/city you live in. There must be a nest of them and they will take care of it or tell you what to do.

Another solution would be to get some neighborhood boys to come and catch them and take them to a forest preserve or a field.

Answer 6

hmm, I can understand your problem as I dislike snakes totally! As for keeping them off your property, maybe call the fish and game dept. in your town and ask what measures will keep them out.. I know in Arizona, people who have built in pools have to put up tight knit fencing to keep out the rattlesnakes etc.. Maybe try some kind of real tight knit fencing around your property? I know they can crawl up things too, but it may deter them.. Good Luck!

Answer 7

People like you shouldn't go outside. "It's all so creepy." LOL Seriously, you are probably the one scaring your kids; making them afraid of everything instead of teaching them what can and cannot hurt them.

Leave the snakes alone. Even if one bit you it couldn't hurt you.

Answer 8

Move to New Zealand, the only snakes we have are all in Parilment buildings(Politicians)

Answer 9

here you go:

http://www.liquidfence.com/snake-repellents.html

snakes are good for the environment and do wonders in gardens.

snakes are more afraid of you then you are of them BTW.

Answer 10

Try a natural predator bird like a chicken hawk. Get one to hang in a tree and if it flaps it's wings in the wind it's even better.