How to Make a Garter Snake Trap

How to Make a Garter Snake Trap
Published: May 4, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Things You Will Need

  • Glue Traps
  • Glue or staple gun
  • Plywood
  • Vegetable oil
  • Mesh fencing
  • Stakes
  • Shovel
  • Bucket
  • Mat or cloth
  • Gloves

Garter snakes grow up to 3 feet long, but their girth remains narrower than most snakes. With more than a dozen species throughout the United States, these common snakes keep small pests under control and should not be bothered, if possible.

Inside

  1. Create a 2-foot by 2-foot square using a glue gun or a staple gun to attach glue traps to a firm surface such as plywood.

  2. Lay the trap against the wall where the snake will likely cross.

  3. Check the trap at least once a day.

  4. Move the entire trap outside once the snake is caught.

  5. Pour vegetable oil on the garter snake to break down the glue and release it.

Outside

  1. Construct two sets of mesh fencing at least 2 feet high and long enough to parallel the width of the area where the snake has been located.

  2. Place the fences in a "V" shape but leave a 1-foot gap between the two fences. The fences funnel the snake to the gap.

  3. Bury a large bucket until the rim is level with the ground.

  4. Cover it with a material such as a mat or cloth, which easily falls into the bucket.

  5. Check the bucket often because other animals may fall into this trap. Garter snakes may also fall into the trap without the material.

  6. Wear thick gloves to pull the snakes out of the bucket for relocation.

  7. Remove the trap as soon as it has served its purpose to avoid trapping other animals.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

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