See if this helps

Here is a link that might be useful: snakes in the neighborhood

Thanks coffeemom. A good site even though they're hard to look at. (For me anyway) Better to be safe than sorry though when you come across one.
Sue.

Sue, we talk about snakes on here all the time, as many of us love them in the garden. Black racers are wonderful snakes to have around. You will not have a mouse problem with a few of them in your yard, and unlike the mice, snakes don't carry any diseases.

I have done several posts on how to recognize venomous snakes so that gardeners don't have to panic if they come across an unknown one in the yard. We only have 4 here in central Florida...2 rattlers (diamondback & pygmy), water moccasins and coral snakes. If you know what those look like, you can rest easy about any others you see.

I'm glad you are trying to learn about the, rather than just bashing them with a rock! They are so important to the environment, and really very interesting critters.

BTW, yours is not the only post about snakes today. See "Unusual Pond Vistor."

Marcia

Black snakes will also get rid of other snakes even venomous, so be very glad if you have black snakes around your home, we are and they are welcome at our home...we know we have at least one patroling our landscape.

I was so upset a couple of winters ago when I found "our" black racers dead from the cold in the garden. My mother always said they're more afraid of you than you are of them, really! they'll run if you give them a chance!

I do have two idiot, lizard-chasing border collies that have been caught red-pawed flinging snakes around, say the word and they'll come visit you and leave our snakes alone.

Suzanne

Below is my favorite site for identification - it's fairly general but is a good way to start.

I don't know of any natural repellants other than: human/animal activity in the yard, removal of food sources and removal of cover. I've found that the more time I spend out in the yard, the fewer snakes I see. When there is no fruit on the ground at the neighbor's house, there are fewer snakes - no rats for them to eat. If I keep the leaves raked in the back, same thing, fewer snakes - no where for them to hide.

The brown and white striped one was likely a glass lizard recently identified on this forum. Actually a legless lizard rather than a snake, they still look snakey to me. They are slow movers and I've noticed they have a tendency to "freeze" when frightened. I've gotten a couple of them with the weed whacker and mower, much to my chagrin.

I've learned to live with the snakes in our yard, it's not been so bad except when they sit up and beg for a treat when I'm out in the garden, they like to help me with my work *wink* My husband didn't realize there were so many until I moved in - I look for them all the time.

I can completely appreciate your feelings of "creepy" with them and look forward to the day when you will be more at ease.

manature (Marcia) has been an invaluable resource for aiding us in our quest for snakey knowlegde - thanks again Marcia!

Hope this info helps,
Terri

Here is a link that might be useful: Online Guide to Snakes in Florida

Wow! Thanks Terri. That link was very helpful and I now have it in my favorites for reference purposes.
I know I'm not alone when I say that snakes aren't one of my favorite creatures. Maybe because I'm so fond of the anoles that run around outside and eat my bugs that I can say that I'm looking for a repellent. I've also had to rescue 2 baby doves as black racers were behind them in pursuit. I just find snakes sneaky and predative and it's hard to find many positive attributes. I'll learn to live with them, they were here 1st, but I'll always be on the lookout too. OK, now that I have that out of my system, onto more happier thoughts...like gardening. (With my eyes always open...)