Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - July 12, 2011
From: Auburn, CA
Region: California
Topic: Pests
Title: Discouraging rattlesnakes in northern California
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
Searching for information re: managing your garden to discourage snakes, especially rattlesnakes. I live in northern California and we have many. I found one of your articles, but the link to an U. of Miss. article on this very topic does not link. Could you please send me that link or tell me more about being a more informed gardner. I have heard that rosemary attracts them and am asking if this is true and what also can be done to discourage them. Thank You !!!ANSWER:
Sorry the link to discouraging snakes did not work for you. Here it is again. I hope it connects this time. The main points are to remove all potential hiding places for snakes and their prey.
Most experts claim that plants do not thenselves attract or deter snakes. But they may attract rodents or other favored snake prey. So you should consider whether any of your plants might be in that category, e.g., if they produce edible fruit or nuts that fall to the ground. One effective deterrent is the king snake, which eats rattlesnakes. Keep them if found, but remember that the rattlesnake prey you should eliminate are also favorites of the king snake.
If you think you have more than one or two rattlesnakes, especially in early spring and fall, that raises the possibility of a rattlesnake den being in the vicinity. Rattlesnakes den up for the winter in caves, sink holes and other sites protected from the cold and gradually disperse from that spot when warm weather arrives. Get in touch with the Placer County Cooperative Extension Service personnel if you suspect that such sites may exist near you, and the officials can put you in touch with someone who knows how to look for dens.
Good luck, and watch where you step!
More Pests Questions
Moths around Sophora secundiflora from Driftwood TX
March 15, 2012 - Sophora secundiflora Our Mountain Laurel has a lot of large moths flying around it. Should we be concerned? Will they hurt the tree?
thank you
view the full question and answer
Disappearance of leaves on desert willow in Tucson AZ
August 08, 2009 - We have a Lois Adams Desert Willow (Tucson, Az). The leaves will pump out and then a day or so later, all of the leaves are gone. The only bugs we've seen on it are very, very small ants. Could this ...
view the full question and answer
Problem with Live Oaks in Mesa AZ
March 26, 2013 - I have two Evergreen Live Oaks in central Arizona. One is flourishing and getting new spring leaves from top to bottom. Its trunk is rough, has large grooves, and the spots where I've pruned look li...
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming toad lily in Kentucky
April 20, 2008 - I have had a toad lily for three years and it has never bloomed. What do I need to do?
view the full question and answer
Is oak leucanium an invasive species in Texas from Laredo TX
April 02, 2013 - Is Parthenolecanium quercifex considered an invasive species in Texas? Does this insect attach itself to redbuds? I spotted and removed from my small 5ft Texas Redbud last year. It seems that it has ...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
