Linda L.
Bronze Tip Medal for All Time! 64 Tips May 11, 20170 found this helpful
Unless the snakes are poisonous pls let them be. Snakes are an important part of the ecosystem. Some eat rodents and even baby rattlers. Find out what snakes live in your area and it is pretty easy to identify them
attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts May 11, 20170 found this helpful
To keep them at a distance from your pets and children, spread things like pine cones, rock chips, egg shells, rose bush clippings and other sharp natural objects around. They won't want to cross them.
Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts May 11, 20170 found this helpful
Get rid of sticks, leaves and anything snakes can hide in. If you have any rodents, get rid of them because they are food for snakes. Get rid of any moisture problems too
May 12, 20170 found this helpful
You do not say if you live in a residential area or if you live in a rural setting with lots of land to cover/protect. You may have to think about using a smaller area for your kids but as a general rule animals tend to stay away from snakes.
Do you know what type of snakes you have in your yard? Most people do not and just trying to tell someone what to look for (size of head/size of tail/etc) does not always help as you probably do not stay around long enough to really "see" the snake. When people say to just leave "good" snakes alone as they do good and no harm, I tend to wonder about those remarks. I love my garden/yard and just really do not care to share it with even "good" snakes but my daughter really tries to protect the little black snakes that visit once in a while; so you see, everyone has differences of opinion about getting rid of snakes.
I would suggest that you read as much as possible about how to rid your yard of the kinds of conditions and foods that snakes like and most likely the snakes will go to better hunting grounds.
Maybe you could look at some of the photos of both kinds of snakes and that might help you identify what you see - but - please do not dwell on the pictures as I do not think that would be good for you and think carefully about what you show and say to kids as they have great imaginations. Snake traps are available but once caught, the snake has to be removed to another area.
You should start with checking Google with your zip code and snakes in your area (snakes in (your state)) so you will know what type "might" be in your yard.
Here are some links that you might find useful:
www.snake-removal.com/venomous.html
www.google.com/search?q=poisonous+and+nonpoisonous...
www.joeotoole.net/.../
