I'm surprised at how many of us like snakes, or at least encourage their presence, and I am one of them. Always reminds me to appreciate Nature when I see one. They like all the dwelling/hiding places already reported. The most used here, that I can recount, was a small pile (about one foot high by two feet wide) that was airy but dense enough to keep out predators; in morning sun and late afternoon shade; protected from excessive moisture. Was in the garden once just before dark when I spotted a garter snake with something huge in its mouth. After a trip to the house for a flashlight - the snake was attempting to swallow a slug twice the size of its head. It looked to be having second thoughts about having a go at such a large meal - neither being able to dislodge it or fully swallow it. I was tired and did not stay to observe the outcome. Unfortunately, the snakes also like tadpoles. I have a basin in the garden (~ 3' wide x 2' tall) I used to use to catch rainwater for other purposes. Peepers decided to make it their home and I could not turn them out. More than once I have found garter snakes swimming in the basin. After spotting me and squiggling out (or like Jane, removing it), there were significantly less tadpoles present. I want the tadpoles and adult frogs, but don't really want to deny the snakes a food source...a conundrum I've not been able to resolve. Also have lizards which appear to favor warmer spots than the snakes, such as rockery and inside the hoophouse. In this very dry summer, haven't seen any salamanders this year, which I encounter some years in/under reliably moist habitats. Owls (barred) are also residents and visitors - perching on fence posts, tree branches, and a tall perch I erected in the garden for that purpose (most often used by hummingbirds). They really help in the control of rodents and robins....yes robins - they are a pest for me....long story, maybe another time. Regrettably, like the snakes/tadpoles chronicle, the owls also eat the snakes. Bird population in general has plummeted in recent years. All are welcomed and fostered. I take that back, all but deer, voles, and moles, which have their place, I just wish that place was somewhere else. It's a jungle out there. Mike R. western Washington On Tue, Aug 22, 2023 at 11:09 AM Jane McGary via pbs < pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > For some years cutworms (larvae of a moth) infested my bulb house, where > they pupated in the deep plunge sand. I think I've finally got rid of > them using Bt (Bacillus thuringensis) spray on the most affected plants, > particularly the very early-flowering Fritillaria raddeana. This > insecticide is used against the larvae of Lepidoptera, particularly on > plants in the cabbage family; I don't know whether it harms anything > else. I use the iron phosphate type of slug bait in the bulb house as > well, but not in the garden. > > I happen to like snakes, and there were plenty of non-venomous ones > where I used to live in the Oregon countryside. I sometimes found them > when I pulled up groundcloth, where they were enjoying the moisture and > warmth. They were preyed on mainly by large birds such as crows; I once > watched a fascinating mid-air struggle between a crow and a small garter > snake. My big, heavy-coated dogs didn't try to kill the snakes, but they > liked to fall on them and roll, which annoyed the snakes. The > distinctive ophidian scent must have been as pleasing to the dogs as a > nice fresh pile of manure. The only problem I had with the snakes was > that they hunted my goldfish. I once caught one slithering out of a > shallow pond with a big goldfish in its mouth. I grabbed the snake, it > let go, and the fish, returned to its own habitat, survived. > > Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USA > > On 8/22/2023 10:05 AM, Robin Hansen via pbs wrote: > > Leigh, > > > > You have an ideal situation; I used to have one similar to yours with > similar animals, but living in a town that's close to 150 years old and has > been deprived of quite a bit of natural space means we have to do the best > we can. > > > > Illahe Rare Bulbs (Mark Akimoff) is surrounded by houses and what not so > long ago used to be country really isn't any more. That goes for a good > share of us. > > > > I doubt very many people use most or any of the pesticides and > herbicides found in such variety in stores. For one thing, they're ever > more expensive and I've found nearly all the gardeners I know are wary of > using a lot of them as they recognize the danger they create for our > children, pets and other wildlife, not to mention themselves. Even Clorox > bleach for disinfecting is something I no longer use, although if > directions are followed to the letter, it's more or less safe. I might use > one application of herbicide a year but if I have "bugs", I isolate the > infected plants and use soap or similar natural spray. > > > > That said, the public is bombarded by too many claims of this or that > danger from something and when you start digging into the facts behind the > claims, you find a single small study, not well run, with the manufacturer > or producer or other self-interested party paying for or otherwise > involved. Unfortunately not many people take the time to verify the drivel > often published as "latest break through" in media. All we can do is try to > continue educating ourselves. > > > > I know from personal observation that snakes like warm, cozy places, > under plywood out in the sun or some such structure. They certainly like > being able to crawl around my nursery as there are so many places where > they can sun themselves and eat enough slugs to be too fat to crawl through > the front door. But they sure don't like being surprised when the water > hits - good for them I don't water any more than I have to. My mother used > to complain about not seeing snakes anymore. She ignored me when I > explained that Dad out there mowing the hillside took away their habitat. > > > > Kathleen's comments on snake habitat (and lizard and skink) are very > welcome. I'd like to hear more about making sure we provide some room for > the little animals, even if all we have is a small city lot, especially if > slugs are great dessert! > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > PBS Forum latest: > https://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbsforum/index.php/… > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> PBS Forum https://…