I don’t know what it is about our back yard but for some reason snakes are attracted to it. Our neighbors property too! Ted and Bonnie have had more than their share of Garters all around their rocky landscaped home. Our property is another story. Sure, we’ve had a few Garters and many Black Snakes but we seem to attract different types that others in Stone Creek don’t.
If you recall early last year, I had an encounter with a very aggressive Eastern Diamondback Rattler that because of its actions, had to be put down. We’ve had quite a few Pygmy Rattlers as well. This Spring, on our pergola, was a Corn Snake which initially was put over the fence into the Longleaf pasture but to our surprise, returned two days later. I tossed it further into the field. Two weeks later it showed up again but this time with a partner. Two corn snakes in exactly the same location as before…nestled below the cushions on a bench under the pergola.
Even though Corn Snakes are totally friendly and not harmful at all, Sue wasn’t too happy about having slithering creatures inhabiting our backyard, especially where we spend a lot of time. And then there is Freckles, our pooch. No telling what he would do if they came upon each other. So, this time, I gathered our two intruders up, put them into a plastic bin and took them for a golf cart ride to the far end of Longleaf and let them slither away into the high grass, thinking that was the end of our all too frequent, unwanted visitors.
I have a habit now of checking behind all the cushions outside, even the ones inside the lanai and guess what? A Corn Snake all curled up nice and cozy in the same exact spot as all the others. This one is a tad longer but still laid back and friendly. He’s spending the night undisturbed but I think in the morning…he’s going to Arlington!
Because wet cushions are nasty to sit on, ours tend to live in the lanai instead of on the patio. Maybe dispensing with them altogether might be the thing to do. The garter snakes have remained in the flower beds where they belong and we have not had any black racers that I am aware of. Nastiest thing on the patio has been a dead mouse. Is a cat prowling around?
Last October we had a cottonmouth in the yard which was dispatched after a struggle, but that is the only harmful snake we have experienced so far. Do you think that being along the pasture might contribute to the problem? Or do you have more of a problem than the neighbors on your side of the street?
Guess we just have to watch were we walk or sit. Be careful lifting the cover on that grill.
I really don’t know what the attraction is Joanne but they sure seem to hone in on 9911. As for roaming felines, Longleaf did have a pet kitty loose for a few days but that was a while back. I’ve also heard from other residents concerning cottonmouth sightings and the consensus is they come in with new loads of ground pine straw. Same with the diamondbacks.
Bottom line is we have all kinds of snakes in our community and I cannot stress enough how important it is to be extremely aware of one’s surroundings. Garden work or walking your pets…be very careful.