Help: GARDEN SNAKES!!!

[DiamondAthena]

Ok so my mom found snakes in the yard. She freaks and puts down sulfur, now I'm worried it will poison the dog! Can I just water the stuff away? These snakes are harmless and probably are keeping other amimals away. I do worry that if the stuff kills the snakes, which I hear it just irritates them, that my dog will eat a dead snake and get sick. Help!

[IrishLake]

The snakes wouldn't ingest the sulphur, it's something people put down because they think the smell will keep them away. It's fine to water it down to dilute the sulphur. The snakes may be scary to some people, but I love them. They eat mice, big bugs, and other destructive critters. I'm not sure what part of the country you're in, but if you're in a part where there's no (or very few) venomous snakes, then by all means encourage them to stay. Very beneficial to have around! I have a garter snake living in my front flower bed. I love having him around, (but I think he ate my daughters favorite toads).

[DiamondAthena]

They are garter snakes we found one in the front garden and I had to relocate it before my mom tried to kill it. She just found what she call "a whole den" living in the back. She doesnt care that they eat insects and aren't harmful to us, she just wants them gone. I feel like all she did was make it possible for the dog to eat the sulfur b/c she put it around the fence. I like reptiles so I'm good with them as opposed to the bugs esp. mosquitos!

[DrPhil]

We used to kill snakes regardless of whether they were water moccassins or garter snakes. Just in case.

Well, we didn't kill green snakes (Opheodrys). We were so enamored with their color that they got to live and protect the garden/territory from insect infestations. Green privilege and snake colorism, next on Oprah.

[IrishLake]

Originally Posted by DiamondAthena

She just found what she call "a whole den" living in the back.

I can beleive that. That's how garter snakes live. They're very social snakes, they overwinter in dens, they mate in giant orgies, and give birth to live young.

As for the mosquitos... get a bat house! I put one up a few years ago (it takes a few years to get bats established), and now every night, they are out in my yard gobbling up the bugs. I love bats!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Green privilege and snake colorism, next on Oprah.

Now if this had been in the "You Laugh, You Lose" thread, I would have just lost.

[honeychile]

If you find the skin of a snake that's moulted, put it in an envelope and in a hidden place in the kitchen. You will NEVER have a mouse problem until the you-can't-smell-it-but-mice-can odor goes away.

I had a piece of python skin in my kitchen. I had envision mice smelling that and jumping out of their own skins!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Green privilege and snake colorism, next on Oprah.

HA.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Green privilege and snake colorism, next on Oprah.

lmao!

And, naturally, it's introduced by Dr. Phil. Thank you.