Maybe it might be possible to eventually fence at least part of it, so that there is an area you can enjoy where there are fewer of them - even if it isn't feasible to keep all of them out completely.

Also something that would keep out rabbits and deer might be a good idea anyway.

I always make lots of noise, as they'll often move away. Also use a tool (hoe/rake/etc) to go through long grass before you sink your arms into it! Same if you'll be moving around a rockpile/woodpile/planters/etc. Scare the snakes away. If you of the mindset, keep a good shovel if you do find a snake you need to dispatch of- we have water moccasins here, they are aggressive and will give chase!

I'll take the snakes lol. I have some gopher holes I would like to show them.

Thank you all so much! I too have so many holes - small, med, huge- from who knows what. The area is fenced with 3 types but majority out back is chain link. I am definitely a person who wants them around to do their job in the ecosystem; just not sure how to garden alongside with them so all advice greatly appreciated. I didn't know morning might be worse than afternoon. Rake tool idea fantastic. Renee, if I had snakes chasing me I'd hightail it out of Texas!!

Yesterday, upon the stair,

I saw a snake who wasn’t there

He wasn’t there again today

I wish, I wish he’d go away...

For additional info: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74119.html I've moved to having plants with space between them, not just a solid massed border and lower trimmer plants where I may work in the garden a lot so that I can easily see.

That's a great suggestion Maggie, to allow extra "space" between plants and enhancing visibility. Perhaps that is why my neighbors seem to "find" more snakes. They both have solid groundcover that is heavily irrigated. I felt pretty good today going out into our weed field and trying to keep the large weeds from growing up. I wore long pants, long sleeves.

I went to a rattlesnake talk in Arizona. Most rattlesnake bite victims fall into two categories: college-age men who are bitten on their hands, and middle aged to older women who are bitten on their ankles, feet, calves. The men are usually intoxicated and trying to pick up a snake, and the women are usually hikers or gardeners. Wear thick leather boots and leggings made especially to guard against snakes. The antivenin treatment for a bite can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Another tip is don't kill / drive off the non-rattlers. They're your friends. They'll help keep the food level down and compete for the territory. I was so disappointed when I'd hired some guys for yard work and they killed a LARGE garden snake (and were so proud of themselves).

Rattlesnakes are supposedly deaf - it's the vibrations more than the noise that drive them off, don't rely only on noise (bang a shovel or rake on the ground as you walk if you have an area you're concerned about).

And to add to Hoovb - most folks get bitten trying to kill the snake. Don't get overly brave with your shovel. Also, many folks don't know when they've been bitten by a young rattler as it may not swell (doesn't have both kinds of poison for that yet) and many report it felt like a bee sting so they didn't pay attention.

Had a friend have one in her garage - I need to add new flashing to the bottom of my garage door and no longer get to walk out there in sandals / flip flops. I keep shoes by that door and close garage doors even if I'm going in and out with garden things.

Make sure you carry your cell phone with you when working in the garden - there are different clip on holders you can find.

Such great suggestions! I never carry a cell phone but should even from falling dangers (we have some precarious areas). And Amazon has snake guards! Never heard of such a thing but that would help tremendously. Boots would be hard for me, unless there is a brand that is not "heavy" which tires me out quickly. Thank you all so much.