Why Your Birdbath May Be The Cause Of Your Yard's Snake Problem

The vast majority of people who enjoy spending time in their yard appreciate having various birds and wildlife wander through on occasion. However, snakes typically aren't on the list of critters they're hoping to see while spending an evening outside. Though there are some reasons you may want snakes in your yard (like to help control pests such as mice), odds are you would rather not have your outdoor living space overrun with serpents. This is certainly true when it comes to dangerous types of snakes, such as rattlesnakes and water moccasins. Unfortunately, if you have a snake problem in your yard, your birdbath could very well be the cause.

Among things that attract snakes to yards, water ranks right up near the top of the list. Like all living things, snakes require water. Beyond meeting their hydration needs, water can help snakes moderate their body temperature, especially during the heat of a summer day. That goes for all snake species, but there are some varieties, such as water snakes and water moccasins, that especially thrive in wet, watery habitats. Additionally, most snake species are predators. Bird baths tend to attract a variety of species they prey upon, such as frogs, insects, lizards, and birds. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to limit the appeal of your birdbath for snakes.

In order to stop snakes from being attracted to your birdbath, you need to consider what draws them to it in the first place. Besides water, which is an attractant to both snakes and their potential prey, the location of the bird bath plays a role. If the birdbath is in or near thick foliage, it presents snakes with ideal hiding spots, living quarters, and ambush points. With that in mind, place your birdbath in an area that's free of such dense growth. Snakes are much less likely to try to reach your birdbath if they have to navigate in the open.

Gravel can deter snakes as well. Placing a bed of gravel around the base of your birdbath can further dissuade snakes from slithering into it. You can also make it more difficult for snakes to get to your birdbath by placing obstacles in the way. Although they can climb, fencing around the birdbath can make it more challenging for them to access. You should also use elevated birdbaths and place them away from your house. If you want vegetation around your birdbath, surround it with plants that repel snakes, like lemongrass.

Finally, keeping your birdbath and the area around it clean can help prevent snakes from being attracted to it. Not only do snakes often like more stagnant water, but so do many of the creatures they prey on. Additionally, if fallen fruit, leaves, or other debris is filling your birdbath, frogs and insects could be attracted to it, increasing the likelihood that snakes will use it as a hunting ground.