A few garter snakes in the garden can be a good thing. They eat insects and other pests, so they can control those pests that harm your plants. … When not resting, these snakes prefer moist, grassy areas and are often found near water, such as streams and lakes.
Can a garter snake hurt you?
A garter snake can bite, although it is unlikely for them to bite humans unless threatened or provoked. While their bite is considered non-venomous, a person bitten by garter snake bite should wash the bitten area thoroughly. Their bite can cause minor swelling and itchiness.
Why garter snakes are dangerous?
Still, in the world of snakes, the garter is among the world’s most benign snakes. They were thought until the early 2000s to be non-venomous, but they do, in fact, produce a neurotoxic venom, though the small amount and mildness ensures that it cannot kill, or even harm, a human being.