The Popular Fencing That May Be Letting Unwanted Snakes Into The Yard

With so many different styles to choose from, deciding on the right fencing for your home can be a bit of a challenge. There are several types of fencing that can boost curb appeal, and chain-link and other kinds of steel mesh are popular options. They can be relatively simple to install, are affordable, and are very durable. The drawback is that chain-link fencing could easily be letting unwanted snakes into your yard.

Unless you live in Alaska (the only U.S. state that doesn't have any snakes), there's always a chance these reptiles can slither in. That's not altogether a bad thing. Snakes are an important part of the natural cycle. On the one hand, they are great at pest control, particularly with rodents. What's more, over 90% of native North American snakes (and there are 150 of them) are non-venomous. On the other hand, they provide a key source of food for hawks, foxes, and other carnivores.

There are some snakes you definitely don't want to see in your yard, and unless you're an expert, it can be difficult to tell the venomous from the non-venomous ones. So while you shouldn't try to kill them, you do want to keep them out. Fortunately, that doesn't necessarily mean giving up on chain-link fencing or similar metal alternatives.

Snakes can sneak through gaps as small as a ½ inch across, so standard chain-link fencing won't stop them at all. However, you can still use it; you just need to add another kind of metal fencing along the bottom. The product that's often recommended is called hardware cloth, which is usually made of galvanized steel to prevent it from rusting. It is available with ¼-inch gaps that are small enough to create a snake-proof barrier.

A strip 2 feet high attached to the bottom of your chain-link fence will work, although to be most effective, there should also be a few inches of it buried below ground level. Aluminum flashing (usually used to seal gaps in roofing) will also work when fitted at the same size, but you'll need to drill holes to attach it, so it's a little more time consuming.

There are a number of simple but effective ways to deter snakes from your yard, whatever type of fencing you have, and they are well worth considering. Close-boarded wood fencing is no barrier, as they can crawl up the rough surface. It's also a good idea to learn how to stay safe if you do see a snake and to make sure your kids know too.