Friend Or Foe: What To Do If You Find An Eastern Milk Snake In Your Yard

If you live in a rural or suburban area, there's a good chance you aren't alone in your backyard. While you may be familiar with your typical backyard birds or the usual insects that call your outdoor space home, there may also come a time when you find less common animals in your yard. That includes different types of snake eggs and the parents themselves, as well as eastern milk snakes, which are best left alone when spotted.

Eastern milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are small, shy snakes that are often seen in yards. Many times, they're accidentally found in their hiding spots, and you may spot one while turning over rocks in the garden or in similar areas. You may be able to identify them by looking for their markings: alternating red or brown splotches on a brown-gray body. Because of their appearance, they're often mistaken for several other species, and their vibrating tail makes it easy to misidentify them as a small rattlesnake. Don't worry, though: these little snakes aren't venomous.

Although someone with a fear of snakes may find these little critters frightening, they're often more scared of humans than vice versa. As a result, if you happen to find an eastern milk snake in your yard, it's best to avoid capturing or harming the snake and instead leave it alone: it'll usually be on its way quickly, especially once it realizes it's been spotted.

When you find an unwanted snake in your yard, your first instinct may be to catch it in order to remove it. However, there are several reasons why it's best just to leave any eastern milk snakes alone. Even though eastern milk snakes are non-venomous, keeping them off the list of snakes you don't want to find in your yard, they're still capable of packing a startling or even painful bite. This is especially true when they're frightened. Not only that, but snakes are incredibly fragile, believe it or not. Handling them incorrectly can break delicate bones or cause other complications. As a result, allowing it to go on its way is often safer for both parties. On top of that, in some areas, it may even be illegal to handle wildlife without the proper licensing and permits. This also extends to harming them.

Eastern milk snakes are an important species that eat small mammals and even other snakes. As a result, leaving them to carry out their life without human interference often does help your garden more than you may initially think. If you're experiencing more than the stray straggler, however, you may wish to speak to a wildlife professional. They may be able to help identify areas in your yard that are attracting unwanted snakes while also safely relocating any individuals they may find. There are also humane and safe ways to deter snakes from your yard.