FOOD Rodents are the primary food source that attracts snakes into yards. Rodents are attracted by food and shelter. Bird feeders close to the house supply a ready seed source for mice, chipmunks and ground squirrels, especially if they are kept stocked during the warmer months of the years. For snakes that feed on frogs, like garter snakes, yard ponds may attract snakes because frogs use the ponds to feed and breed. Generally speaking, if you provide a ready food supply, wildlife has a way of finding it.
Most rural landowners are well aware of mice in and around their homes, particularly in the winter.
Rodents are attracted to the home for shelter and for the available food in and around the home. Rodents not only supply food for snakes, but they may create, by chewing, access points for snakes into homes. Snakes may initially be attracted to your yard and home by the scent of rodents. A key to keeping snakes away is to eliminate attracting rodents to your house and yard. Rock retaining walls and rock structure used in landscaping offer ready homes for both rodents and snakes.