Discovering holes in your yard can be an annoyance, as squirrels are indifferent to whether they dig in an obscure spot or right in the middle of your immaculate lawn. Yet, that hole might be concealing another resident: a snake. Before addressing the issue, it’s crucial to identify your uninvited guest. Caution is advised since, while most U.S. snakes pose no harm, there are still about six types you certainly wouldn’t want in your yard.
Recognizing the difference between a squirrel hole and a snake hole from a safe distance is essential. It might seem straightforward. Given that some ground squirrels are relatively small, generally, one would expect them to be larger than most snakes. Logically, the most significant distinction between a squirrel hole and a snake hole would be the diameter.
Unfortunately, a complication arises. Snakes do not dig their own holes; instead, they occupy existing ones. Thus, any holes present in your yard could potentially attract snakes to settle in. To accurately determine the real occupant, further details are necessary.
Squirrel hole vs snake hole: the details you need to look for
If you’re not planning to sit with your favorite drink and wait for a head to appear, you must observe clues. A shallow hole or indentation might simply be a spot where a tree squirrel has hidden its food. The challenge arises when encountering deeper holes.
A hole with a diameter of 3 inches or less might belong to a squirrel or another rodent. Squirrels typically dig neat holes, but you might notice claw marks in the soil. There could also be food remnants, like fruit pieces or seed husks, near the entrance. Ground squirrels reside in their burrows, so their network likely includes multiple entry/exit points. However, without clear indicators, caution is necessary. It might be an ex-squirrel burrow now occupied by a more dangerous resident.
Snakes utilize holes for protection from predators, temperature regulation, and food ambush. Observing wavy tracks near the hole or a smooth entrance could indicate a snake’s presence. Discarded snake skins or remnants of their meals, like insect parts, small bones, or rodent fur, are telltale signs. Exercise caution—never put your hand into a hole or probe it with a stick. If you suspect the occupant might be venomous, contacting a wildlife removal expert is the safest action.
How to deter these invaders from living in your yard
Regardless if you’re dealing with burrowing or tree-dwelling squirrels, numerous methods exist to evict them. Remember, though, it’s rarely a one-time fix. You might question whether the effort is worthwhile. Indeed, they can occasionally be a nuisance, but both tree and ground squirrels can also benefit your yard by providing natural fertilizer, and they are quite entertaining to watch.
Keeping snakes at bay can be tricky. Besides holes, they might inhabit stone walls and crevices in concrete foundations, paths, or driveways. Promptly sealing gaps is always wise. For garden holes, adding gravel to the soil can impede a snake’s progress without harming squirrels if you misidentify the resident, as squirrels can dig their way out.
Maintaining short grass where feasible reduces snake hiding spots and makes them easier to spot if present. Introducing snake-repellent plants is another strategy. There are more such plants than you might think, many of which are visually appealing and some even edible.
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