Does anyone know if I should be happy or concerned that I have garter snakes in and around my garden ? I have seen one or two in the past but it appears this year is better(?) then most. What do they eat, do they stick around because they are larger then last years group, and should I be concerned .

Generally speaking, garter snakes are harmless, and will keep down your pest population of small rodents, like field mice. It should be fine, really.

Meg

Yep, I gotta agree with the Megster.

Garter snakes are nice little snakes.
And if you're lucky enough to come across a Hog-Nose snake, you will have a constant source of entertainment! Those suckers are so funny!

Cindy Faye

(even tho I scream like a little girl & run the other way.. I know I'd freak over a snake in my yard..lol) But still, yea, they're good, really.

They sure are good. Except around my pond. They also eat fish!

BF...I'll trade you :rolleyes: ....your garter snake for my 6 ft. long gopher snake .....whatcha think !!!

Hey Catlover,
I can one up you. Ever heard about the black bear problem in northern Jersey ?

YIKES....he might dangle his baby over a venus fly trap!!!!!

We have fox and coyote close (but then coyote are just about everywhere) and tons of deer and moose and a few elk. We have a lone wolf that kills small calves and lambs. My dogs keep the deer away so the horses have taken their places eating on my lilacs and other small bushes I actually want to grow. I have more trouble with the rodent population than anything else. The evil masked rodent ate a new bud off my gerbera!!!!! I hate that animal.

BEARS!!!!
Nope no, no, no bears for me....you can keep them WAY OVER THERE in New Jersey thank you very much. The closest I have ever got to a bear was when we were canoeing up at Lake Erie....he came into camp during the night and decided to take a bite into a detergent bottle we forgot to string up....that was close enough for me.
I'll stick with our California King snakes, rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, black widows, cougars (that we never see...but there AROUND), coyotes that I hear every night walking in the orange grove behind me....came within 6 ft. of one one evening when there was a fire behind us....we were both scared of each other.....have you ever seen a coyote do a 180 on a dime.
Now I WILL, ship you all the gophers you would like if I could ever get another one....they are my main pain in the rear right now. The next generation of gophers must of got a little smarter than the end of my spade. It is amazing how much damage a little stinken 6 in. creature can do. Grrrr!
The next door neighbors 5 dogs dig to China trying to get those gophers....all they do is chase them into my yard.

WOLF...that is another no way no how!!! NOPE, NOPE, NOPE!!!!

So yeah....what was your question again....LOL...garter snakes are good....keep him around.
Catlover

So I guess its true, the grass isnt always greener on the other side , but the snakes are bigger

I'm hoping the rattlesnakes get the squirrels before they finish off the rest of my peaches.
Saw a 4'+ Eastern Diamondback in the Hydrangias over the weekend.
I have been putting out a few pecans everyday to give them something else to do till my last 9 or so have a chance to get ripe. Seems to be working so far. Now I just hope I dont run out of the pecans before then.

I'm terrified of snakes, good or bad. I think I'd move if I found them in my yard. LOL.