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August 16, 2021Wildlife

Are Garter Snakes Dangerous?

Imagine this – you’re walking through your backyard, and you spot a skinny black snake slithering through the grass (like the one pictured below). You’re stricken with panic and don’t know what to do! 

Here’s the good news: Out of the 46 different species of snakes that live in Georgia, only 6 have a venomous bite. 

Therefore, the small, black snake you just encountered is most likely a harmless little garter snake that could actually be your garden’s new best friend. 

Are garter snakes dangerous? 

The simple answer is – no. Garter snakes are not dangerous. They can bite, so you want to keep small children and pets away from them, but they are relatively harmless. So don’t fear if you see them in your yard or garden! 

Are garter snakes helpful? 

You may have heard of a garden snake before, but don’t get confused garter snakes go by the nickname garden snakes because they can benefit your garden. They camp out in your garden and backyard to feed on slugs, grasshoppers, and snails – the types of pests that like to feed on your garden. 

Although garter snakes are helpful to the overall ecosystem of your garden and backyard, we understand that they can still be scary to some people. No one likes snakes, after all! If you are looking for tips on how to remove a garter snake, click here.

Need help with your pest control but not sure where to start? Our team would love to help you protect your home! Check out our full list of services here.