Almost every house owner prefers to have a delightful and aesthetic garden full of greenery, flowers, and soft mulch to walk on. Green and fresh gardens that are aesthetically beautiful are also great for improved mental health.
However, maintaining a beautiful garden can also be a task. Many house owners have been complaining that they have experienced different kinds of animals barging into their gardens which can be very dangerous for the children.
One of the most dangerous animals that have been invading gardens is a snake. However, there can be certain conditions that attract such animals more and let them hide there. Many people also have queries like, does rubber mulch attract snakes, and we have answered all such types of questions in this blog. Read ahead to find out if rubber mulch attracts snakes.
Also check – Tilling Wood Chips Into Soil – Are They Worth It?
Does Rubber Mulch Attract Snakes?
It has been a widely asked question that does rubber mulch attract snakes, and many people have been concerned about this while using it in their gardens. However, it is suggested by the conservation department that Snakes do not like rubber mulch a lot; however, they get attracted to wood mulch a lot. The fact is that snakes get attracted to a mulch kind of environment where their prey can rest.
In such an environment, it is quite easy to facilitate snakes and other animals to breathe, and materials like mulch and large rocks provide overwintering habitat. However, such animals can be easily prevented by using small-sized rocks which give tight-fitting surfaces such as river rock or gravel. Moreover, if you avoid watering Gardens and avoid decorations like ponds, then you can also prevent the prevalence of such dangerous animals.
Snakes do not like rubber mulch because they like soft and grassy environments, and rubber is bouncy and hard, which does not provide a comfortable environment for snakes. Not only rubber mulch but also do not like wood chips, and they don’t hang out in Gardens, which has many wood chips. The most preferred environment by snakes is soft grass, pine straws, leaves, and underbrush because it feels comfortable under their bellies which makes them reside in such areas.
Do snakes like other kinds of mulch?
Yes, snakes do like soft and comfortable kinds of mulch, making them feel easy on their bellies. Moreover, snakes prefer land with tall grass so that it gets easier for them to hide from human sight because snakes avoid humans. Snakes prefer to stay in areas where there are maximum hiding spots because they always try to camouflage.
Other than thick and tall grass, they also prefer thick much which lowers their visibility, and also low trees and heavy bushes, which lowers human interaction with them. It would be safer if you mulch your garden with compost only and make sure that your plants’ bottom is dried and pruned.
What is Rubber Mulch?
The easiest way to describe rubber mulch is that it is a type of mulch commonly used in landscaping and Gardens. This type of mulch is made from recycled and chopped rubber. It is generally made from waste material like tire buffing or synthetic rubber that comes from tires. There are a variety of sizes that are available in tires, and you can make mulch from large truck tires, trailer tires, or bike tires.
This type of mulch is typically designed in a way that looks comparable to wood mulch. All the rubber waste-like tires are crumbled into very small tiny pieces of mulch. In some areas, they are compressed or combined to make or pave away in children’s playing areas, or they are left to rest on the floor to create a fluffy surface. The most preferred option for children’s playing area is shredded flooring of rubber mulch.
However, many people also decide to have the compressed rubber mulch, which provides damage resisting flooring. The depth of this type of compressed mulch is considered depending upon the height of the jump. The heavier the jump, the higher would be the depth of the compressed mulch surface. The best part about having compressed mulch flooring is it is completely damaged resistant and very durable as well.
This type of mulch can also be used for making Pathways in golf clubs and house Gardens. Create a safe and damage-free environment for playing around, preventing any harm from falling on the floor.
What are the Advantages of Rubber Mulch?
There is a huge amount of scrap that is generated by Americans in a year, according to the environmental protection agency. In such a condition, it would be a good idea to recycle all the tires and other waste products into rubber mulch; however, the first question that comes up to mind is if it is environmentally friendly or not.
Many people stand against rubber mulch, there are many supporters of rubber mulch as well. However, when it comes to distinguishing between all the pros and cons of rubber mulch, it is quite balanced. However, a fair judgment can only be passed when we start picking out each benefit and cons.
Prevents weed
The best part about having Rubber mulch in your garden is that it prevents weed growth and stops unnecessary toxic plants from growing in your garden. However, many opponents of rubber mulch have proven that wood mulch also works great as Natural fibers for inhibiting the growth of weed. However, in some other reports, it is proven that both wood mulch and Rubber mulch are equally beneficial for inhibiting the growth of weed in your garden.
On adding an excess of rubber mulch layer by layer on the garden flower, better prevention of weed can be done. However, rubber mulch does not kill the already existing weed on the soil, but it prevents the growth of any new weed because it dehydrates the seeds before they can germinate. Other than that, rubber mulch is very durable and long-lasting. Using rubber mulch is permanent as it won’t decompose and deteriorate due to Sun conditions and different weather conditions.
Does not need renovation
Many people prefer using rubber mulch in their garden because it does not need renovation and replacement after some time. Other mulches like wood mulch and grass mulch are required to be replaced because of decomposition. However, rubber mulch will remain there permanently without being damaged due to different weather conditions. There are a couple of manufactures that also promise that their rubber mulch will last for more than 10 years.
Moreover, rubber mulches are non-toxic and do not cause any kind of allergy or poisoning on exposure. However, from a long-term perspective, the eventual decomposition of rubber into the soil can cause harm to the soil. It has been proven in some studies that the decomposition of rubber into the soil can cause the killing of zooplanktons, algae, and snails. Moreover, high levels of zinc found in rubber can also lead to the toxicity of zinc in plants.
Permeable
One of the most prominent benefits of rubber mulch is it is extremely permeable. The reason for the permeability of rubber mulch is that it does not absorb any of the rainwater. All the rainwater does not get absorbed drains inside the soil, providing all the nutrients directly to the soil, and the water easily reaches plant roots. It is way better than wood mulch because wood mulch tends to absorb most of the rainwater into itself, which later gets dried up as soon as the sunlight comes without reaching plant roots.
One of the many benefits of rubber mulch is it also does not attract bugs and dangerous bees. Many wood mulch attracts pests, termites, and carpenter ants which can be very harmful and hazardous for children playing in the garden. However, no ant and pests feed on rubber mulch, making it a bad place for all these insects. Moreover, you can be very versatile when choosing your rubber mulch because you can opt for any color as per your choice.
There are a variety of colors with an infinite range of shades that are available in rubber mulch which is not an option if you have wood mulch in your garden. It can be a very positive point if you are planning to decorate your garden with an attractive appearance. You can create a color theme for your garden with rubber mulch as well.
What are the disadvantages of Rubber Mulch?
An unreasonable disadvantage of having rubber mulch is it smells bad when it’s a hot sunny day. The good part about having wood mulch or compost in your garden is small but with a natural odor. However, in the case of rubber mulch getting exposed to sunlight, it smells with a bad synthetic smell which gets unbearable sometimes.
Another disadvantage of having rubber mulch is it is toxic when it decomposes; it makes the soil an unhealthy environment for the algae and snail. Unlike natural mulch, the decomposition of rubber mulch after a very long time is also very unhealthy for the soil. Moreover, rubber mulch is very flammable.
Although many manufacturers claim that the rubber mulch they provide is nonflammable, it can’t be the truth. Rubber mulch burns faster than the mulch, and it also melts to give more severe burns compared to natural mulch.
Conclusion:
The answer to the question does rubber mulch attracts snakes is, rubber mulch does not attract snakes and other reptiles. The reason is it does not provide a comfortable soft, and grassy environment to the snake bellies, which makes it a bad habitat for them. Most of these reptiles prefer living in soft areas where their skin does not have to experience rough, hard, and uneven surfaces, and that is why they are mostly found in tall grasses, bushes, and weeds. Surfaces other than these like rubber mulches, wood chips, and compost are quite unfavorable for snakes. That is why most people opt for such kinds of mulches.
