DID
YOU GUESS IT??
A
Garter Snake in a Water Garden
This
garter snake is found throughout Nebraska. You are likely
to find it near water sources, but it can live in a variety
of habitats. Garter snakes eat earthworms, slugs, fish, tadpoles,
frogs, and insects. They grow to be about 2 feet long.
In
southeastern Nebraska, this is the time of year when people
begin seeing snakes around their homes. They wonder what to
do about the snakes or whether they are dangerous. In Lancaster
County, Nebraska, nearly all cases are harmless types such
as garter snakes or bullsnakes.
Knowledge
about snakes is helpful in understanding how to handle situations
where they are encountered.
Nebraska
does have four poisonous snakes. Resources are listed below
to help you identify snakes and learn more.
Most
people calling our office about snakes ask "What can
I use to repel snakes?"...
There are no repellents, fumigants or toxicants federally
registered for snake control. Various home remedies have been
suggested for repelling snakes. Several of these were evaluated
on whether they would repel black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta).
Treatments included moth balls, sulfur, gourd vines, a tacky
bird repellent, lime, cayenne pepper spray, sisal rope, coal
tar and creosote, artificial skunk scent, and musk from a
king snake (eats other snakes). None of these remedies prevented
the snakes from crossing them.
The most effective and lasting way to discourage snakes around
a home, such as in the yard and garden, is to make the area
unattractive to them. You can do this by removing their survival
needs, especially shelter or hiding places.
Overall,
snakes are an important part of our natural world. If you
want to do the best by yourself and snakes, try the natural
way -- just leave them alone.
This
Can
You Guess It?? photo
(Right) is featured in the April 2004 NEBLINE (
)
