Pine needle paths & snakes

16 years ago

I am planning pathways through a wooded area and will need to go the cheapest route. I was originally thinking wood chips which, if I'm lucky enough to catch our county workers out trimming, I can get for free by the truckload. But I went to get some of the last load I received 2 years ago and left to compost and it had became a nesting spot for snakes.

So now I'm thinking pine needles, also a freebie, but wondering if I'll be stepping on snakes that burrow under the straw.

Over the years I've come across several types of snakes in my two wooded acres. Harmless grass, chicken, king, buttermilk, etc., but also quite a few cottonmouth water moccassins. We're a low-lying wet area.

Has anyone tried pine straw and have they had any problem with it attracting snakes? I'm in southeast Texas.

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Comments (2)

terrestrial_man
16 years ago
1. How about just using sand or just weeding the pathways and keeping them clear of plants.
2. On controlling the snakes, find out what kind of areas they like to be in, such as piles of brush, etc. and then develop areas away from your paths that would draw the snakes there. Most snakes won't bother you unless you run across one by surprise and it has no easy exit. So you may want to make your paths that would not be too close to downed trees or old stumps or logs with abundant leaf litter. Surprised you have not ran across any copperheads.
terrestrial_man
16 years ago
1. How about just using sand or just weeding the pathways and keeping them clear of plants.
2. On controlling the snakes, find out what kind of areas they like to be in, such as piles of brush, etc. and then develop areas away from your paths that would draw the snakes there. Most snakes won't bother you unless you run across one by surprise and it has no easy exit. So you may want to make your paths that would not be too close to downed trees or old stumps or logs with abundant leaf litter. Surprised you have not ran across any copperheads.
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