February 8th, 2008
Wildlife-sensitive homeowners can learn even to tolerate the infrequent visits of poisonous snakes, Snider says.
“We used to tell people in our rattlesnake talks that if they see one around their front porch, it’s not going to stay. Keep the dogs and the kids in, and the next time it’s not going to be there. If it’s in a heavily trafficked area, take a broom and sweep it into a garbage can and move it elsewhere.”
But most snakes likely to be encountered in and around the house — and all lizards, turtles, frogs and toads — are harmless creatures, interested only in finding something to eat and a place to hide out from the family cat, cars, and other urban hazards. Armed with one of the popular field guides and a little patience you can become familiar with them.
And with familiarity comes enjoyment. Eventually that garter snake sunning itself on the old tree stump can be as welcome a harbinger of spring as the first robin.
Here are some useful web sites:
- A Natural Resources Conservation Service booklet on attracting backyard wildlife of all kinds can be downloaded from the NRCS government website.
- Here’s a kid-friendly site to engage you and your child in herp-friendly projects, called the Crafty Gardener.
- Extensive information on landscaping your backyard for wild creatures, including herps, is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- A briefer look at backyard habitats can be found at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website.
- For the avid gardener, see Wild About Gardening’s tips for attracting critters.
- A toad-centered site sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation
- For info on herps and pesticides see Californians for Alternatives to Toxics
Copyright © 2008 | Distributed by Noofangle Media
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