Gardeners in northern Maine have only one snake to watch for: the garter snake. It’s worth welcoming for the work it does controlling the slug population in the garden.
The 2011 growing season was very cool and wet here. Slugs were abundant in June, but after the garter snakes emerged in their “usual” locations?–?under the black plastic covers on top of the compost piles?–?I didn’t see any slugs or damage for the remainder of the season. What I did find when I looked at the end of the season were baby snakes in the piles. How gratifying! I hope the young continue their parents’ work for years to come.
Marie Schnetzka
Fort Kent, Maine
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