The likelihood of a snake or other wildlife finding their way into your backyard is based on several factors such as your surrounding landscape (urban vs. rural), location (north vs. south), presence of a water source (rivers, lakes, ponds) and your yard design and maintenance schedule. Learn more about snakes here. Toddler safety is indeed a huge concern when dealing with snakes and other wildlife in your backyard. Toddlers don’t feel threatened by such animals and may find themselves in dangerously close proximity to vicious predators or aggressive animals. If you already have snakes, find removal tips at snake-removal.com.
The following precautions should be taken in order to maintain toddler safety when dealing with snakes and other wildlife in your backyard:
- Change the Landscape of Your Backyard
A natural grass lawn is an attractive feature for wildlife including snakes. This is because of the perfect hiding spots it provides, an array of insects, weeds, and worms that provide tasty treats for them. Replacing your lawn with artificial grass is a good idea because it allows you to continue enjoying the look and feel of a lush, green lawn without the risk of attracting wildlife.
If you are hesitant about replacing natural grass with artificial grass, you should mow your lawn often. Snakes are less likely to move through short grass because it increases their exposure to predators. Trees and shrubs around your home should be trimmed and branches kept away from the ground. Creating a 24-36 inch space under trees will make snakes and other wildlife easier to spot if present, thus enhancing toddler safety. Call SEQ Snake Catchers for more help.
Avoid using large rocks and mulch in your landscaping. These materials are an attractant to snakes and other wildlife and can create breeding and an attractive habitat. It is better to use smaller, tight-fitting rock such as gravel.
Additionally, maintaining a well-kept backyard through regular landscape maintenance in Roswell is essential for creating a safe environment for your toddler to explore nature without the risk of encountering unwanted wildlife. Learn more about landscape maintenance in Roswell to ensure a secure outdoor space for your little one
- Set up Boundaries Around Your Yard
Fencing is your first line of defense and is generally the most effective deterrent when it comes to wildlife. You can try a cedar fence, it is stable and it doesn’t shrink. A tall fence can significantly reduce the chance of mountain lions or coyotes invading your backyard and threatening your toddler’s safety. The fence should be buried a few inches into the ground, be constructed using ¼ inch or smaller rigid mesh or solid sheeting. It should include a bend at the top in order to prevent snakes from climbing up and over. Picket and wire fences are two affordable options that are readily available at home improvement stores and can be installed as a DIY project. However, some companies such as ERTEC Environmental and ACO Wildlife make wildlife-specific fencing to save you time.
- Seal the Cracks and Tidy up the Backyard
Check for any cracks and crevices around your backyard in order to block any access points being used by wildlife and snakes. In doing this, it is important to consider getting an energy audit. Energy audits can be a great way to identify cracks and crevices which may pose a threat to toddler safety. You should also store firewood, kiln-dried logs, and other types of debris away from your home. They provide good hiding spots for snakes and other wildlife.
