Where do garter snakes like to nest?

When not resting, these snakes prefer moist, grassy areas and are often found near water, such as streams and lakes. They also like areas that provide cover, so if your yard has piles of debris, such as rocks, logs, boards or dense vegetation, you are more likely to have a garter snake infestation.

What time of year do garter snakes have babies?

Gestation is usually two to three months. Most females in the northern parts of their range give birth to from 4 to 80 young between late July and October. Most litters range from 10 to 40 young and litter size depends on the size of the female, with larger females giving birth to larger litters.

Where do garter snakes hang out?

Check for garter snakes in fields, tall grass, under leaves, and logs. They prefer to be close to the ground and camouflaged in the grass. During the winter, you may also find garter snakes holed up in your basement or attic.

Do garter snakes have dens?

Cold-climate garter snakes hibernate during the winter. They hibernate in dens in large groups, with hundreds of garter snakes sometimes found together (and sometimes other snake species, according to Beane).

How do you lure a garter snake out of hiding?

You may be surprised to learn that many gardeners go to great lengths to try to attract garter snakes! You can try to entice them by providing them with hiding places (stacked rocks, sheets of plywood, or stumps) and fresh water sources (such as shallow fountains or ground-level birdbaths).

What attracts snakes to your house?

6 Things That Are Bringing Snakes Into Your Home

• Mice.
• Leaf piles.
• Landscaping rocks.
• Dense shrubbery.
• Gaps in your home’s foundation.
• Bird baths.

How do you tell the difference between a male and female garter snake?

While adult male and female garter snakes look alike, girls are typically longer and bulkier. While barely noticeable, the male’s tail base is thicker while the female’s tail tapers rapidly to the tip. Both genders reach sexual maturity between 1 and 2 years of age.

Do garter snakes come out at night?

They come out both night and day. They are typically ground-dwellers, but they may also climb shrubs, vines, or trees to escape predators. Some species of Garter snakes are even proficient swimmers. This musk comes in handy because the Garter snake has many predators.

Can you pick up a garter snake?

Garter snakes don’t harm any humans, are mostly docile and can be fun to watch. I still love picking them up and wrapping them around my hands in amazement. So keep your shovel in the shed and make some space in your garden for the garter snake.

Are garter snakes aggressive?

Garter snakes are shy. They will generally avoid humans and animal contact and prefer to be left alone. If you have Garter snakes in your yard or garden, chances are you may not even know.

Is it safe to pick up a garter snake?

While garters are relatively harmless, if you pick one up, it may try to defend itself with a bite — a relatively harmless bite, but a nip nonetheless. It will also struggle and emit a foul smell from its anal gland. Still, in the world of snakes, the garter is among the world’s most benign snakes.

Do garter snakes like to be held?

Many garter snakes, particularly if they are captive bred, are gentle and do not mind being handled, and handling them is simply a matter of picking them up and letting them explore your hands. If you have experience handling other snakes, it’s important to remember that garter snakes are not constrictors.

How do you kill garter snakes?

Another way that you can get rid of garter snakes without harming them is to trap them in simple, humane traps. You can build snake traps yourself or buy them, but with a simple funnel trap (or minnow trap), you can collect your unwanted neighbors and relocate them. You can use all kinds of things as bait.

How do you get rid of garter snakes?

7 Ways to Get Rid of Garter Snakes Trim your bushes and mow your lawn. Remove objects and debris from your yard. Remove any sources of food for the snakes. Get chickens. Use snake repellent. Trap and relocate the snakes. Build a snake fence.

Do garter snakes eat spiders?

Several species of garter snakes eat small prey such as insects, arthropods and arachnids (which could include spiders) but larger snakes eat larger prey such as rats, birds, lizards, amphibians, eggs and other snakes. Snakes can actually be harmed and in rare cases, killed by spiders however, so spiders are probably not their prey of choice.

How do you repel garter snakes?

Wearing gloves, apply the granules to the perimeter of the area that is to be protected. Place bands 4-5 inches wide to repel garter snakes, 8-12 inches wide to repel rattlers. For yard application, sprinkle Snake-A-Way throughout the area within the perimeter. When odor becomes faint, simply reapply.