do bird feeders attract snakes

June 29, 2018Ask an Expert 12 Ways to Stop Snakes from Slithering into Your YardWith a drier and hotter start to summer this year, more snakes are following their prey into areas that are irrigated and provide good cover and food. Unfortunately, this describes many peoples yards, and for a lot of people, the sight of a snake strikes fear. To further the problem, many companies take advantage of peoples fear of snakes by selling products or services that are ineffective, and in some cases, may increase the danger to people and pets. snake Most peoples fear of snakes stems from the worry that they are venomous. Most wont want to be close enough to tell, but venomous snakes have a pupil that resembles a cats. It has an oblong shape with peaked ends that look like a slit in the center of the eye. Non-venomous snakes usually have round pupils. The snakes most people are likely to see in their yards will be non-venomous, such as the garter or gopher snake. If you encounter a snake in or around your home, keep calm and follow these tips.Mow grass often and keep it fairly short. Snakes are less likely to reside and move through short grass because it increases their exposure to predators such as owls and hawks. Shorter grass also makes snakes easier to spot.Avoid over watering your lawn. Too much landscape water may attract prey species such as worms, slugs and frogs, which in turn may attract snakes seeking a meal.Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and away from your home and garage, and keep branches off the ground. Creating a 24-to-36-inch space under trees and shrubs will help keep snakes away and will make it easier to spot them if they do slither in.If you feed birds, keep the feeder away from the house or consider not feeding them. Birds are messy eaters and often leave seed scattered below the feeder. Seed on the ground attracts rodents, which may also attract snakes seeking a meal. Store bird seed in a metal can with a tight-fitting lid.Feed pets inside. Feeding them outside can attract insects and rodents which, again, attract snakes. If feeding outside is necessary, be sure to clean up uneaten food promptly. Store pet food in a metal can with a tight-fitting lid.Store firewood, excess lumber and other types of debris away from your home. These provide prefect places for snakes to hide.Think before you landscape. Avoid using mulch and large rocks in your landscape, as they attract snakes and their prey and can create breeding and overwintering habitat. Instead, use smaller, tight-fitting rock such as gravel or river rock. Also avoid landscaping with water gardens and Koi ponds.Seal cracks and crevices on sidewalks and foundations, and consider getting an energy audit. These can be a great way to identify places that allow air conditioning and heat to escape the home. These same cracks and crevices may be used as an entry point by snakes and other small creatures.When all else fails, consider fencing. Use 1/4 inch or smaller rigid mesh or solid sheeting and bury it a few inches into the ground. Include a bend at the top to prevent snakes from climbing up and over.Do not use snake repellents or sulfur, as they are ineffective. Do not use mothballs because the active ingredient is naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene chemicals that are toxic to insects and mammals, but are not effective against snakes. Using mothballs outside your home also violates product labels and puts your family and pets at risk. Do not use sticky traps outside. Traps placed outside capture all sorts of non-target animals and result in a slow, agonizing death.If you have issues with snakes in your chicken coop, avoid using ceramic eggs or golf balls. Snakes that eat these artificial eggs die a slow and painful death over many weeks, and new snakes will show up to take their place. Instead, focus on improving your coop to prevent snakes from entering and follow the deterrents recommended above. If using ceramic or other artificial eggs to encourage a brooding hen to lay, glue them down to prevent snakes from eating them.Do not bring out the guns, shovels or other weapons. Discharging a firearm toward the ground can result in bullet ricochet. If needing to get a snake to move on, use a water hose to spray the snake, which will encourage it to find a new place to take up residence. For more information, go to: https://extension.usu.edu/news_sections/agriculture_and_natural_resources/snakes-out-early

Ensuring proper feeding and placement of your bird feeder

Strategic feeding is necessary to effectively manage your bird feeder and deter rodents and snakes. The best time to replenish your bird feeder with food is in the early morning, when birds are most active. It is crucial to only supply the birds with as much food as they can consume by dusk. By using this technique, it’s ensured that there are no leftovers to draw in nocturnal rodents like rats, who then draw in snakes. Another important factor in keeping rodents out of your bird feeder is its placement. Rabid rats can more easily access it if it is hung close to low branches or other structures. Select an open, elevated spot for your feeder to prevent this. The greater the elevation, the more difficult it is for rodents living on the ground to reach it. The feeder is safer and a more tranquil place for birds because of its elevation, which also makes it challenging for rodents.

Additionally, the design of your bird feeder can significantly reduce spillage and the subsequent attraction of rodents. Feeders with catch basins or designs that limit spillover are particularly effective. An example is the SquirrelBuster, known for its efficient design in minimizing seed spillage. This type of feeder helps to ensure that the food intended for birds does not end up feeding rodents.

FAQ

How do you feed birds without attracting snakes?

If you feed birds, keep the feeder away from the house or consider not feeding them. Birds are messy eaters and often leave seed scattered below the feeder. Seed on the ground attracts rodents, which may also attract snakes seeking a meal. Store bird seed in a metal can with a tight-fitting lid.

What attracts snakes to the house?

Snakes enter a building because they’re lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.

Do snakes eat bird feeders?

And what about snakes? Snakes don’t eat seed but they do eat rodents that eat seed. This means that if your feeders attract mice and voles into your yard for the free spilled seed, snakes may also be attracted for the suddenly available mice (see Eliminate Mice to Eliminate Snakes).

What attracts snakes to yards?

Snakes typically eat a few times per week when food sources are available. While their diet varies by species, most snakes feed on small rodents (like mice) and birds. Having an abundance of these favorite foods around your home will draw snakes to your yard. Inspect your yard for signs of rodents.