Rats, Snakes and Lizards! Oh My!

Listen 00:53:53
a rat

Are snakes the answer when rats invade an orchard? On the latest You Bet Your Garden, host Mike McGrath talks about the pros and cons of reptilian releases. Plus: a lizard that defeats Lyme disease, and your fabulous phone calls!

Question of the Week:

I have rats eating my plums and would love to have snakes in my garden that would eat the rats. Many snakes are indigenous to my area (Rattlesnakes, Garters, Gopher snakes…); and I have many wonderful blue belly lizards in my garden—but unfortunately, no snakes. Would it be a good or bad idea to buy a garter or gopher snake from a pet shop and let it go in the back yard? I’m only talking about snakes that are already indigenous to my local area. Thanks for any information you can give me.
-Mark in Sacramento, California
Snakes vs Rats in a California Garden »

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