Snakes in the mulch

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Okay, I was all excited about my new house and finally a chance I can try a Lasagna garden without bothering the neighbors. I'm disabled and the thought of dumping stuff on top rather than digging stuff under was absolutly thrilling to me. Finally I'll be able to garden. Then, right before bedtime, I had to read in the archives about snakes in this wonderful mulch I'm about to create. I wouldn't know a friendly snake from a mean one. Isn't there anything I can to do deter this problem or protect myself and still have a fun time planting seeds and reaping the rewards?

Geez, and I'm just about ready to get rid of the wasps. . . .

Grins, Diane

-- Diane from MO (walte@getgoin.net), October 22, 2001

Answers

I'm reading your post and thinking "what? are you in MO or something" I get to the bottom of the post and see how you signed it. "AYEP"

First, LEARN how to identify a copperhead, don't worry too much about the others, I have heard there are a few rattlers here, but identifying them is easy. Second, make plenty of noise before approaching anything a snake could be hiding in (easy to do unless hunting). Third, when you pick anything up that a snake could be under (don't forget rocks) pick it up so the first part to come up is away from you (kind of like one is supposed to light a match).

Follow these very simple things, and it WILL become second nature, you won't have to worry, most of the snakes here are harmless, noise is one of your best allies. Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), October 22, 2001.


If the snakes are not poisonous, they can be beneficial. Will keep the rats and mice and slugs out of there. If they are poisonous, however....is it possible that you (or have someone who can) build a fence of hardware cloth (what is called 1/4 inch ratwire) around your compost pile? Make sure that it is dug about 6 to 8 inches below the soil, and about 2 feet high. That should keep them out. The snakes are looking for a warm place to curl up in, and the added attraction of small animals attracted to the pile is a bonus.

-Chelsea

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), October 23, 2001.


Just be careful when you pull back the mulch to plant, don't use your hands. Otherwise you won't see a snake, they much prefer to stay hidden. We use this method of gardening and it is wonderful. It is still work to get a large garden mulched, but you eliminate tilling, weeding and fertilizing.

-- Paula (chipp89@bellsouth.net), October 23, 2001.

we've found that copperheads LOVE to hide in pine straw mulch....

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), October 23, 2001.

Haul a bow rake around with you. That will give you the extra reach to stir it up with and you can keep them at bay with it.

-- Laura (LauraLeekis@home.com), October 23, 2001.


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