Cypress Mulch and Harmful Reptiles

Snakes serve a purpose in controlling the rodent population.

While both harmful and non-harmful reptiles are prone to sneaking into heavily-mulched areas, they are attracted more to available prey than to the mulch itself. Proper cultural care can decrease the likelihood of encountering a snake while cypress mulch is actually prized as an efficient bedding for snakes in captivity.

Mulch Attraction

Cypress mulch does not repel or attract harmful reptiles any more so than other types of mulch. However, reptiles, both venomous and non-venomous, are attracted to the insects and rodents that make their home in mulch. In some cases, hungry snakes may be found nesting in temporary burrows within deep piles of mulch but only if the wood compost is laden with fat mice or bugs.

Mulch Management

The best way to minimize the likelihood of harmful reptiles making a home in landscape mulch is to reduce the population of rodents and insects. Ensuring that the mulch is not too deep -- an ideal mulch depth is 1 to 2 inches -- will discourage both rodents and reptiles from building nests. Other common sense methods, such as refraining from leaving food outdoors, even for pets, will minimize the number of mice and snakes living in cypress mulch.

Snake Repellent

There is no evidence to suggest that commercial snake repellents or any home remedies, including mothballs, are effective in repelling harmful reptiles. If an area is especially prone to infestation by snakes, homeowners may consider constructing special snake fences designed to keep the reptiles out of a specific area, such as a backyard. Fencing that is 36 inches high with 1/4-inch mesh should be buried at least 6 inches deep and slanted outward.

Bedding

Cypress mulch is not in any way harmful to reptiles. In fact, it is recommended as a cage bedding for those who choose to keep snakes in captivity as pets or for research. Aspen shavings and plastic turf grass are also recommended as reptile bedding, but sand, cedar mulch, dirt and kitty litter can cause health problems for the snake. In particular, cedar mulch can irritate the skin of a reptile and cause degeneration of its respiratory system.

References

• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Top Ten Snake Questions
• Colorado State University Extension: "Coping with Snakes"; M. Cerato, et al.; 2006
• Michigan State University Wildlife & Natural History: Snakes
• Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection: Use of Cedar as a Substrate for Reptiles and Other Pets