Why Your Deck Might Be a Snake’s Favorite Hangout Spot
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Picture yourself getting out onto your deck on a brisk day, coffee in hand, and seeing a snake slithering out of sight. As uncomforting as it is, your deck might be a snake sanctuary. Like us, these creatures have preferences for safety, warmth, and good hiding spots, and your deck might be ticking all their boxes.
Snakes are typically not aggressive, and their presence usually has a purpose: pest control. But the idea of a snake hiding under the boards of your deck or tucked away in some long forgotten corner is just skin-crawling. If your deck is a snake magnet then why is that? Let’s find out.
Dark, Cool Hiding Spots
Dark, cool places are where snakes love to be because it’s safe from predators and the sun. An example of such a location is your deck – its shaded underside. If you don’t disturb the space or fill it with leaves or old wood, it becomes the perfect place for a snake to hide. An easy first step to making your deck less enticing for them is to clear out this clutter.
Warmth From the Deck Boards
During cooler months, snakes can find your deck boards’ heat retaining properties to be a major draw. They could be soaking in residual warmth from the day’s sunlight, curled up underneath the deck. Snakes are cold blooded and need warm places to regulate their temperatures. When that need arises, your deck becomes essentially a snake spa.
Attracting Prey
Snakes rarely come alone, they follow their food: pests. If you have mice, insects, even frogs living on your deck, it’s basically all you can eat. These critters frequently take up residence in a deck’s nooks and crannies, or in the yard around the deck. What makes it worse is that bird feeders near the deck scatter seeds, which attract rodents, and snakes, indirectly.
Flower Vases and Plant Pots
A deck decorated with flower vases and the likes can turn into a hiding place for snakes. These pots are cool to the base and shady, a snake might curl up under one to get away from the heat or hide from a predator. Your plants may be charming, but they might be bringing along some unwanted visitors to your outdoor space.
Gaps in the Deck Structure
Snakes can be attracted to the tiniest gap in your deck, as these creatures are good at squeezing into tight spaces. The University of Illinois study showed that some species of snakes can pass through openings as small as half an inch. Keeping them out regularly, inspecting and sealing these gaps can make a great difference.
Behind Outdoor Appliances
Watch out, if you have a grill or outdoor fridge crammed into a corner of your deck! These appliances can make very cozy, sheltered places that snakes can’t resist. All at once, they provide warmth, shade and safety. Reducing the chance of running into a snake can be achieved by keeping the area clean and minimizing clutter.
Stacked Firewood
If you have firewood stored near or under your deck, you may as well put out a red carpet for snakes. The perfect combination of shade and insulation is stacks of wood. Plus, they’re usually full of bugs, another snack for that scaly visitor. Store firewood farther from your deck, and raise it up off the ground.
Liquor Cabinet and Assorted Storage
Snakes can also find decks with built in storage spaces, such as liquor cabinets or outdoor closets appealing. These are dimly lit areas that aren’t disturbed often, and are full of objects that make great hiding spots. It might sound comical that a snake slips into a liquor cabinet, but it’s best to avoid that by keeping these spaces neat and closed.
Outdoor Deck Cabinet
While it’s rare, it’s not impossible—snakes can be attracted into outdoor cabinets if they’re open, or if the cabinets aren’t properly sealed. These snakes feel safe in these cabinets, which are normally located under or near the deck. Keeping these cabinets closed and secure just a little bit more doesn’t hurt.
Overgrown Vegetation
If your deck is near dense ground cover, overgrown bushes and tall grass, you’ve created a perfect pathway for snakes to get right to their new hang out. Vegetation is often used by snakes to keep safe from predators. Keeping plants trimmed back and having a neat yard can keep them away from you.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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