Snakes are often a sore subject for many people. They’re considered scary, dangerous, and all-around icky. Now, the truth of snakes is a little more pleasant than that. Most snakes are quite harmless and are more afraid of you than you are of them. We have a wide variety of different snakes in Maryland, and only two of them are venomous. The two venomous snakes you need to steer clear of are the Northern Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake. These two snakes have a bite that can be fatal and will require immediate medical attention. Other snakes that you may find may snap at you, but you don’t have to worry about dying from the bite.
Where do snakes lurk?
Snakes are infamous for lurking beneath decks, pool structures, piles of leaves, empty logs, porches, and within gardens. They like to rest in places where the summer sun isn’t going to assault them, and the winter temperatures aren’t going to freeze them out. Early spring is usually the time where they start poking their heads out of hiding and trying to soak up some sun, so keep an eye out for these little rascals when you’re outside hiking or gardening. This is particularly true if you live in a wooded area or somewhere near the forest.
How do I know when to call?
Most snakes probably won’t bother you if they slither into your yard, but you must be very careful to avoid Copperheads and Rattlesnakes. You can detect a Northern Copperhead by observing its body. A Copperhead is a brown snake with dark brown, circular markings on its body. You can also spot a Northern Copperhead by the tip of its tail because it is a bright yellow. Now the Timber Rattler is even easier to spot because it has a rattler on the end of its tail. You might even be able to hear it rattling. If you think you have spotted either one of these dangerous snakes in your yard or on your property then you should call a professional. The lives of your pets, family, and other people in the area may be at risk.
Tips to Keep Snakes Away from Your Yard
Tips to Keep Snakes Away from Your Yard
If you have a snake phobia, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to keep them away from your property completely. The truth is that there is no surefire way to keep snakes away. Snakes are a part of nature and they move within nature just as much as deer, squirrels, birds, and other wildlife. However, there are a few tips that you can use to make your yard less attractive for snakes. Let’s take a closer look!
Keep Your Lawn Tidy
Snakes are always on the lookout for predators such as hawks and coyotes. To make it harder for predators to find and track them, snakes will tend to stay hidden in longer grassy areas. Keeping your lawn mowed and short makes it less attractive for snakes to slither in. Plus, it makes it easier for you and your loved ones to see them.
Avoid Watering Your Lawn
We know this one hurts because a green lawn is the envy of any neighborhood. But the fact of the matter is that many creatures that make up a snake’s food source – such as worms, slugs, and frogs – are drawn to wetter environments. So if you’re watering your lawn often, these species will congregate on your lawn, thus attracting snakes who are looking for an easy meal.
Move Your Bird Feeder
Birds are notoriously messy when eating from home feeders. The seed that they spill makes for a popular food source for rodents. And this, in turn, makes for a popular food source for snakes too. Move your feeder away from your home to continue to enjoy bird-watching without the threat of snakes coming too close.
Use a Perch Pole
Hawks and owls are natural predators for snakes, and we can use this to our advantage as homeowners by installing a perch pole. The perch pole should be placed in an open area of your yard to afford the best vision of your yard for the birds.
Need our help?
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