you want alot of cover....boards and big rocks even...garters stay for the worms and snails/slugs also.....

.....I used to find alot of garters...never found one IN the water ......usually....IN the area....but not in the water...so cover will hold them in your yard....

I have stick piles in my yard....holds alot of stuff...too bad no snakes around here....(here yes ,the yard no)....piles....I mean 6 foot tall piles...birds love them.....

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......JY