Grass Snakes

wswilson · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Dallas,TX

Turned my compost pile yesterday and found a couple of grass snakes in it. Should I be concerned or just leave them alone? I usually turn my pile every two weeks or so and I add dry molasses, kitchen scraps and sometimes coffee grounds when I turn it.

Tony M · Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 1086 Location: McKinney,TEXAS

I'm not sure what your concern is. Grass snakes are a natural part of the garden, something we should encourage and enjoy, just like lady bugs or dragon flies. I know the fears some people have about snakes but having them in your garden will allow you to possibly displace those fears. They were in the compost pile probably because of the warmth and the population of worms and bugs.
I don't have any in my piles, I envy you. Please turn the pile slowly and gently.
Tony M
ps: please update your profile so we know where you are.

wswilson · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Dallas,TX

I actually picked up the small snake but then I put it back. I wanted to check with someone before doing anything about it. I will just leave it as you suggested and I will be careful when turning my pile so I want hurt it. I just thought it might not be a good thing in my compost bin, thought it might eat too many good bugs.

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

Mr. Wilson, Dennis the Menace is calling you :D

As often is the case, I concur with TonyM. Revel in the fact that you have the grass (or Garter?) snakes on your property. Though I've never had any snakes in my pile, I will occasionally have them (I beleive the last one I saw may have been a Rat Snake - @ 3 foot long) around the pile. As long as they are not poisonous I welcome them on my property.

Before anyone chimes in, I know that the poisonous snakes have their place in the ecosystem. But I have a nosey Boxer who will "thump" anything, so they have no place on my property :)

wswilson · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 23 Location: Dallas,TX

[quote="Mr. Clean"]Mr. Wilson, Dennis the Menace is calling you :D
That was just too funny about the Denace the Menace quote. Yesterday was my B-day and while I was working in the yard the neighbor kids came around and all hollered at once :D “Hey Mr. Wilson, Hey Mr. Wilson , Happy Birthday Mr. Wilson, Hey Mr. Wilson” :lol: so you see why it was so funny to me. And thanks for the advice about the snakes.

:o

Tricky Grama · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:18 pm Post subject:

Happy Belated (St Pat's Day) Birthday!
Patty

Gar · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Posts: 533 Location: Lavon,Texas

Happy belated birthday from here as well. Mine is tomorrow.

Tricky Grama · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:20 am Post subject:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAR!
Patty

Gar · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Posts: 533 Location: Lavon,Texas

Thanks Patty. It's such a nice day I decided to get the garden ready for planting. I tilled it, fertilized it and tilled again. This year I am only putting down dried molasses and cornmeal. Just before I put down the paper and grass clippings I will add a little home made compost. Best compost I have ever made. The plants tell me so also.

Tree Dude · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 262 Location: Saginaw,TX

I used to play with the grass snakes down in Houston. They are as harmless and shy as anoles and are about the same size.

Tree Dude