Garter snakes are quite commonly found in gardens and lawns. These small-sized snakes are about 2-3 feet in length and its body is covered with a unique brown or reddish tint. The most distinguishable feature of garter snake is a light shaded stripe running along its back. They prefer to live in a warm and damp environment. Yards and gardens easily become their cozy homes so they can feed themselves on earthworms, tadpoles, insects, mice, lizards and other reptiles found in this area. However, they are not poisonous and do not cause any harm to humans. Rather, they often help to keep the yard free from pest and rodents. They usually do not bite humans. Even if they do, it will only cause a slight swelling and itching. Ways to Get Rid of Garter Snakes When you are trying to get rid of garter snakes, you have to create all possible living conditions that would be unfavorable for them. This will force them to move out and look for greener pastures. Some important steps to eliminate the garter snake from the yard are explained below. You must mow the lawn regularly. This is because garter snakes tend to hide themselves in long grasses of the lawn. So, make sure that grass size in the garden is not more than two inches. The moment you find that it has grown bigger mow it immediately. Another safe and comfortable hiding place for these snakes is thick foliage of bushes or other low-lying trees. Prune the heavy foliage of the plants that are near the ground with the help of a pruning shears. While pruning, make sure that the branches of the plants are at least 6 inches above the ground. Keep your garden or lawn area clean and tidy. If you have kept piles of dried leaves or wood piles, remove them immediately. Any unwanted bushy plants and weeds growing in your garden should be uprooted and removed altogether. Also make sure there are no birdbaths or accumulated water that would attract the snake's food sources like birds, frogs and insects. The main aim is to make the garden free from all kinds of clutter. Pest and rodent control is an effective way of removing the snakes. As we have already mentioned, that these snakes thrive because they get enough food in the form of insects and rodents. Once these food sources are eliminated, the snake will move on to some other place in search of food. You can spray insecticides all over the garden area to kill the insects and use rodent repellents for elimination of the rodents. If there is heavy infestation of pest in garden plants, then you can seek help from professional exterminators. Garter snakes cannot tolerate the smell and taste of mothballs. So, if you use them in your garden, you can keep the snakes at bay. Instead of scattering the mothballs here and there, it is better to bury them into the soil in various places of the yard. However, mothballs are toxic in nature and have to be used carefully. There are other snake repellent products available at the local pet store or home improvement store that can repel the snake. You have to read the instructions given on the label of the product and use it accordingly. However, these products contain highly toxic chemicals. Therefore, you need to be careful while handling them. Most importantly, pets and children should be kept away from the area while you are using this product. These are some of the simple ways that can help you in eliminating garter snakes. However, if they do not work and the reptiles still continue to bother you, then do not hesitate to take professional help. However, do not try to catch the snake with your own hands as you are not trained to handle these creatures.