If you spot one, the best thing you can do is nothing at all. Stand still, give it a few feet of space, and let it go its way. They are shy creatures, more afraid of your shadow than you are of their stripes. If one gets into your garage, don’t panic. Open the door, grab a broom, and gently sweep it in the direction of the exit. It will leave with all the grace of a diplomat who just realized he left the stove on.
18 Black Snakes with White Stripes (With Pictures)
To attract them (yes, you might want to!), keep a rock pile or a brush pile in a quiet corner of your yard. They love hiding in cool, dark spots. Also, avoid using harsh pesticides, because that kills the bugs and lizards they eat. A healthy kingsnake population means less poison in your soil. It’s a win-win.
A Little Story to Make You Smile
A friend of mine has a big vegetable patch, and she used to find tiny holes in her tomatoes every morning. She blamed birds. One afternoon, she saw a black-and-white snake curled up near the base of a tomato plant. She shooed it away, annoyed. The next day? More holes. Turns out, the snake was actually guarding the tomatoes by eating the voles that were digging up the roots. She called it “Mister Stripes” and now leaves a shallow water dish for him. He rewards her with the best tomatoes in the neighborhood. True story—or at least true enough to feel true.
