Posted by Lani Byrum on August 14, 2006

Q: In early May I was bit by a copperhead in our back yard, which backs up to a nature preserve. It was nestled at the base of a day lily in a flower bed next to our patio. I poked around the landscape with a long stick before starting to weed but it obviously didn't move. I want to know how to keep these snakes out of my flower beds. We are planning to install a gunite pool this fall with the required fencing. However, we want to install a wrought iron fence (to minimize the separation of woods and us) and know it won't do a darn thing to keep snakes out. We don't have a cat as one of our sons is allergic and our golden retriever is not fond of our high humidity and heat so spends most of the day inside. Help!

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Tennessee

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: Ooch! A copperhead bite must have put you in the hospital. Were you actually envenomated?

I know of no foolproof way of keeping snakes out of flowerbeds. My only recommendation is to contact your County Cooperative Extension Service office. They are sources of lots of homeowner information about plants and animals including poisonous species.

Good luck to you.

Jim Berry ( August 15, 2006)