Snake FAQs for Gardeners

Snake safety advice every gardener should know.

Gardeners are more likely to encounter snakes than people who do not spend time outdoors reaching and kneeling in vegetation. Also, gardens tend to attract wildlife, so snakes may be in your yard more frequently than people who only grow grass. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while maintaining your backyard sanctuary.

Harmless DeKay’s Brownsnake photo by Chris Neill. These cute and beneficial snakes are often mistaken for baby vipers, though it is hard to imagine an animal more harmless than these. They help to keep your garden healthy by eating slugs and other pests.