There are many reasons to love the snakes that slither through your garden.
Even though snakes might have some evil connotations dating all the way back to the garden of Eden, they're really not all that bad! If anything, they fall into that old cliché: they're more afraid of you than you are of them.
If you ever find yourself exclaiming, "There are snakes in my yard!" there is no need to search the web for "ways to keep snakes out of my garden."
You might not know it yet, but those slithery, scaly reptiles may be doing you a great deal of good.
Live and let live, and you will find that everything works out for the best. You can definitely apply that mentality to the fork-tongued serpents that could be inhabiting your yard.
These eight reasons to love the snakes in your garden or in the woods behind your house might just leave you finding these creatures (dare I say it?) cute!
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1. They Can Indirectly Prevent House Fires
Snakes of all kinds, including nonvenomous ones like kindly garter snakes, exist by preying on rodents. If your property gets overrun with mice or rats, they may very well chew through wires in and around your home, causing a potentially deadly house fire. If you've got snakes, you've got less rodents chomping at the bit to get into your walls and wreak havoc.
2. They're A Natural Garden Pesticide
Many snakes also rely on garden-ruining pests like slugs and beetles for food. Snakes basically act as a natural pesticide for your garden, while never intending to do any harm to you.
3. Unlike Other Backyard Animals, They Won't Destroy Your Yard
Unlike other bug-and-rodent-eliminating animals, snakes don't dig new holes in your garden. Instead, they use already existing holes and small crevices created by animals like chipmunks and mice, according to Critter Control. They aren't capable of burrowing, so they simply recycle whatever holes they can find. Snakes also like to climb trees to hide out. They will do absolutely no new harm to your garden or yard, leaving it just as it is. Cute and cuddly animals like moles, on the other hand? Those will destroy your yard!
4. Also Unlike Other Backyard Creatures, They Don't Carry Disease
Snakes do not carry rabies, mange, or skin fungi. They can transmit salmonella, but only if you handle one and neglect to wash your hands afterward. The answer to that is to always wash your hands if you touch a snake. Simple!
5. They May Have Helped Humans Get Smart
In an article published by Science Mag, Kelly Servick goes into multiple takes on the theory that our very distant ancestors were kept on their toes by predatory snakes to the extent that it helped in brain development, stimulating neurons. Next time you see a snake, show him the respect he deserves!
6. They Fertilize Your Flowers
Snakes don't chew up foliage like deer or insects, and they also don't leave much behind in the way of droppings, since their food is so well-digested. But what they do leave behind does makes for great fertilizer, though.
7. They Keep The Ecosystem Balanced
Snakes aren't just predators, but also prey. Large raptor birds eat snakes as part of their main diet. Without snakes, the ecosystem would shift, and not in a good way. Mice populations would increase from the lack of snakes, while birds of prey would go elsewhere to find food.
8. They Actually Aren't Very Likely To Bite You
It's more likely that you'll get bitten by a dog than a snake. Part of this is because snakes are going to avoid you at all costs. According to the University of Florida, you are nine times more likely to die from being struck by lightning than from a venomous snake bite.
CBS News reports that an average of 1,300 children in America get bitten by snakes every year. However, that includes all snakes. The harmless reptiles in your garden will only bite when they feel they need to defend themselves. If you have small children or pets that you think may put themselves in danger by provoking a snake, then call your local wildlife services to move the creatures to a better location.
If you see a snake of any kind, you should do your best to leave him alone. Just calmly walk away, and he will likely slither away.
Did you know any of this about the snakes in your garden? Will you learn to love them? Please SHARE with family and friends on Facebook!
