Cedar Mulch? Will It Keep The Garter Snakes Away?

By now if you have read any of my blogs, you know I have been having a problem with Garter Snakes. It wouldn’t be so bad, but ever since Lily my dog was a puppy she likes to wrangle them. It seems like it is always at night about the time I want to go to bed and I let Lily out for her last bathroom break. The last straw for me was two snakes in one day.

I got on the internet and did some research. What I found was Cedar Mulch or Moth Balls. There were also products.

One in particular was “Snake Away”. I was in town and decided to look this up. I went to the store and had to ask for it. It was very confusing. On the front of the container it said “Earth and Family Friendly.” On the back it had a warning to keep away from “small children and pets.” Not only that, but the smell was horrible! At first I thought it was the clerk that had bad breath. I think he thought the same of me! It was definitely the product “Snake Away” and once we realized it, we were both relieved!

Cedar Mulch it is!! They had a few bags left from the season and I took them. It was Cedar or Moth Ball Smell and I don’t know if moth balls would hurt Lily.

Yesterday, I wanted to get the Cedar Mulch out of my blazer and it was really a two person job. I wanted to get this done more than I wanted to see Lily wrangling yet another garter snake.

I have a daily routine where I post a daily photo mini blog on The Flylady . You can find all of my photo blogs together on my page The Flylady Way under Photos and in Daily Photo Blog Album. It all started with March Monthly Habit of Getting Dressed To Shoes. I took it a step further curling my hair and putting make up on every day. Today will be 167 Days.

From there, I check my facebook wall and notifications and comment. One of the posts was from one of my teenage neighbor girls. She is a member of “I’m So Bored” group. Her post was something like, “I’m bored…. anyone wanna have a poke war?” Here was my opportunity. So I posted back, “You can come over to my place and help me unload cedar mulch to keep the snakes away.” She “Liked” my comment. I wasn’t sure that meant yes, so I posted back, “Are you coming over to help me then?” Her response was, “Planning on it…” I said, “I will come and get you”

I was so excited! I recruited a group member from “I’m So Bored” group!! She must have been really bored! We unloaded the six bags of cedar mulch to start the project. First we had to tidy up the north side of the house and pull a few weeds. We were going to lay the cedar mulch down next to the north side of the house. This is where Lily’s enclosed “Play Area” is and where the snakes keep showing up. I have a feeling they like to hang out in the ferns.

The project with her help took a total of an hour plus a fifteen minute break where we could visit. We were half done and it was looking great already! Since she was here helping me with the cedar mulch, I asked her to help me move my gas grill from the west side of the door to the east side. I am in the process of making a permanent gate to get in and out of the play area. The grill had to be moved every time I have to come in and mow. It wasn’t that convenient.

This area needs some landscaping and will have to wait until next season. I will have all winter to plan it. As with all landscaping, one is never done. It is always a process and that is part of gardening. I am glad we got this project done. The next project is to scrape and paint the house so the north side is now prepped.

The real question is, “Cedar Mulch? Will It Keep The Garter Snakes Away?” Only time will tell. As of this writing date no more snakes. Let’s hope the “Cedar Mulch” will stand up to the promise, because that product “Snake Away” is not an option. It smelled worse than pig poop and that is another option. I guess snakes must have sensitive smelling! Well, I do too!! Cedar Mulch, please pull through for me and let this be the end of the Garter Snake Wrangling Story!!