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An Eastern Garter Snake, common through much of the US. |
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DESCRIPTION: Garter snakes are common throughout the United States, and have varying color patterns, but most have checkered spots down the length of the body,
and three lighter colored lines running down the length of the snake. Yes, Garter Snakes, often mislabeled as Garden Snakes, have a triangular head, but they are not venomous.
If you need snake removal in your town, click for the National Directory of
Snake Removal Companies that I've carefully compiled in every USA city.
Blue Phase Garter Snake
Garter snakes are harmless, non-venomous snakes that prefer wet shaded areas. You will often see them in backyard gardens because the shade and moisture levels are perfect. The blue phase garter snake is unique in that it is a beautiful bluish green. Like most snakes it prefers to eat rodents, birds, and sometimes frogs and tadpoles. Their natural predators include large birds and raccoons and when caught they emit a foul odor as a defense mechanism.
During mating season, blue phase garter snakes gather in dens and form mating balls. Their pheromones are very strong and sometimes males will release both male and female hormones to confuse other males, giving him a better chance to mate with a female.
Garter snakes can cause some major problems in and around homes. One of the worst stories of infestation has been featured in the news and on the Animal Planet’s series “Infested”. A family in Idaho bought a home and soon started noticing a large number of snakes in their yard. They started collecting the snakes, hoping to get rid of them but never could. The family would collect dozens in a day only to find more the next day.
They began hearing slithering sounds in the walls, and noticed a horrible smell inside their home and even in the water supply. When they removed a couple of aluminum siding panels, dozens of snakes fell out. In the crawl space under the house, hundreds more were discovered. Eventually the family walked away from the house, filed for bankruptcy, and let the bank foreclose.
After the family moved out, a realtor put the house on the market again. People have tried to have the five bedroom home torn down, but a few realtors have said it’s still sellable. Buyers beware when purchasing a house. Check out every rumor you hear. This family did not and regretted it.
Running a wildlife removal business in the state of Florida gives me the chance to see all kinds of interesting snakes! Florida has about 45 species of snake, and I've seen 29 of them so far. I've always got my eye out for new species, and
I love spotting rare snakes in Florida. I also have a thing for venomous snakes - they're not too common in FL, so I always enjoy the chance to see a poisonous serpent. I really like snakes, and I've never hurt or killed one. They're an
important part of the ecosystem, and often persecuted. Still, if you don't want snakes in your house or on your property, and judging from the number of phone calls I receive regarding snake problems, you don't, then give me or a local snake
expert in your area a call, and we can remove the snakes from your property for you. I use many snake control methods - from snake traps, to snake repellents, to habitat modification, but most of all, good old-fashioned capture and removal.
If you want to learn more, please read my How To Get Rid of Snakes page.
AAAnimal Control is a privately owned wildlife removal and pest control business, located in Orlando Florida. I deal strictly with wild animals including snakes inside houses. I am not an extermination company, but a critter removal
and control specialist. The above photos are some of the many that I've taken in the field over my years of work. Please email me if
you have any questions about the above photographs, or any questions about
wildlife problems or Florida snake removal issues.
You can safely catch snakes with a special trap, which you can order by clicking this banner:
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