Although snakes could be very frightening for some people (and we understand the fear) snakes can be very helpful in the garden, to the point that we may even want to welcome them in!
It is actually pretty simple, in the garden snakes are of great benefit. They eat insects and rodents primarily, which are likely to benefit the garden. For example, small snakes can do severe damage to a grasshopper population in a confined area in just one summer.
Most commonly found in North America is the Garter snake, often called the Gardener Snake. These guys get their name from the resemblance of their stripes to old-fashioned sock garters (who knew?). The Garter snake is harmless to humans and animals and an all around super tenant in a garden!
What is so great is that snakes do their handiwork without damaging the environment one bit. They don’t dig holes as they use holes already dug by rodents and other burrowers and they don’t chew or damage the landscape in any way. They do not cause any harm plants, from being eaten or from their physical presence moving through them. They don’t contribute to noise pollution one single bit and they leave very little in the way of droppings (excellent fertilizer since their prey is so well digested). They also avoid the gardener at all costs. Garters are non-aggressive creature’s and don’t ever attack people (at least none in the US) and will never bite unless stepped on, picked up or forced into a corner or threatened with eminent injury. Even then, all snakes would much rather get away than risk a fight.
The sight of a snake in your garden could very well be alarming, but there are so many benefits, and after all… they play an important role, just as mother nature intended.
Below are some of the most common of the Garter family.