Have Good Drainage
If water or moisture collects around your landscaping stones, it can present a perfect environment for slugs, worms, and other things snakes like to snack on. Deter snakes by making sure your stones are set up in a way that allows for sufficient drainage or runoff.
Keep Grass Short around Your Landscaping Stones
Snakes tend to like to keep out of sight as they seek prey or search for places to hide. But if you keep any grass-covered areas reasonably short in a way that doesn’t damage your lawn, snakes will be less likely to make their way to your landscaping stones. As long as we’re on the topic of yard upkeep, further deter snakes by:
• Keeping trees and shrubs near your stones trimmed
• Picking up fallen branches and leaves near your stones
• Not piling up grass clippings or raked leaves too close to your landscaping stones
• Removing any weeds that grow around your stones
Don’t Put Mulch around Your Stones
If it’s piled too high, mulch can be a potential hiding place for some snakes, especially smaller and mid-sized ones. Mulch can also provide a soft material snakes sometimes use for nesting spots. If you want to put something around your landscaping stones for decorative purposes, consider gravel or small beach pebbles instead.
Don’t Put Artificial Ponds Near Your Landscaping Stones
On hot summer days, snakes look for sources of water. If you have a koi pond flanked by landscaping stones, you’ll be giving snakes a place to quench their thirst and create a new home. Place any water-based features in your yard away from your landscaping stones whenever possible to keep snakes away.
Look for & Fill Large Gaps
Depending on how you set up your landscaping stones, there may be gaps here and there. This is more likely to be the case if you have larger stones. These gaps give snakes a place to hide or a cool spot to rest. One option for dealing with gaps is to put attractive and hardy plants or flowers in areas with significant gaps. You can also use smaller or mid-size stones, such as black polished pebbles, that tend to fit snugly into place to fill gaps.
Consider Fencing
If you’re not thrilled about having to significantly alter the arrangement of your existing stones just to keep snakes away, another option is fencing. For the purpose of snake determent, smaller rigid mesh or solid sheeting is recommended. Make sure it’s buried a few inches below the ground and bent at the top to discourage climbing.
With some planning and a bit of effort, you can keep snakes away from your landscaping stones. For expert advice on designing your home’s landscape with river rocks and beach pebbles, reach out to the pros at RS&P Rocks Stones & Pebbles, a premier decorative rock and supply superstore. We specialize in drought-tolerant landscaping materials, including a variety of Mexican beach pebbles and river rock. To learn how we can help you enhance the exterior of your home, call us today at (866) 380-0580.
