There are some who believe that the only good snake is a dead snake. Over half of the US population fears snakes, more than any other country in the world. Fear often stems from misunderstanding and the more you learn about these creatures hopefully the more you can accept them.
Eastern Garter Snake warming in morning sun
How They Help
Essentially legless lizards, snakes are just one of the many creatures that do your garden good and Garter snakes are the best. Shy, non-aggressive and non-venomous, garter snakes are often mistakenly called ‘gardener’ snakes. This may be a slip of the tongue, but the title is actually quite fitting. They are commonly found in gardens and are beneficial to their home in numerous ways. Its voracious appetite for pests is unrivaled and it can decimate bad bugs like grasshoppers and termites and vermin like mice and moles.
Harmful Myths Debunked
No matter what anyone else tells you, snakes do NOT hunt humans. They are, however, strictly carnivorous so you won’t catch them snacking on any of your favorite plants. Garter snakes wrote the book on subtly, preferring to keep to themselves and avoid humans altogether. It’s unlikely you’ll ever actually encounter one and if you do it will slink away in a blink. They don’t dig holes, they only slip into holes made by their prey (mole tunnels and mice burrows suit them just fine!)
Snakes have the misfortune of falling into the same category as bats and spiders. I like to call it the “Scary But Good” club. Spiders, bats, and snakes are all incredibly beneficial to the garden, yet people are so averse to their appearance and potential threat that they end up removing some of their best allies against garden pests. The truth is that out of the 3000 species of snakes only an exceedingly small percentage are venomous and an even smaller percentage presents any real threat to humans. In fact, more people are killed each year by bees than by snakes. If we can live and work among beneficial pollinators despite their potential to sting, then we should be able to extend the same amount of respect for the gentle garter snake.
Wisdom and Caution
With all that said, I don’t encourage carelessness when it comes to dealing with any wild animal. When you see a snake, treat it like all other wild creatures and leave it alone. Even if you identify it as a garter snake its best to err on the side of caution and move away from it slowly so it can get back to doing its thing. Admire its shimmering scales from afar and be grateful to have this wonderful little guardian on your side.