Snake won't eat, too early for hibernation

[Brittany26]

So my garter snake has been picky with his food for the past month. He usually devours pinkies, but about 2 weeks ago I had to scent the pinkies with fish in order for him to eat them. Then, yesterday, I scented 2 pinkies with fish and he wouldn't eat the pinky, or the fish alone. He loves fish and never turns them down so I'm a bit worried. I feel like it's too early for him to go through hibernation since it's only October and he's already pretty skinny as is. I have a heating pad in his cage but he seems to avoid it. I was going to put the heat lamp on today to make him want to eat again but the bulb won't turn on. Should I put him in the basement and let him hibernate this early or should I buy a new heat bulb and try to feed him again? He is 10 yrs old and has hibernated at least 4 times in his life. Thanks for reading.

[guidofatherof5]

Have you tried night crawlers? Sometimes garter just want a change.

[Jeff B]

I agree with Steve, night crawlers is my go to for picky or on/off feeders. Ten years is a long life for garters, so you've obviously done a lot of things correct. Not giving advise, because you do not need it, but at that age I personally would be careful with too long or to cold of a brumation. My personal experience is that snakes not in perfect health, especially males, might not make it through brumation. However, I have never claimed to know or understand everything, especially all the variables involved with brumation and it has been my achilles heal over the years as a breeder.

[Brittany26]

I'll try night crawlers but he never really has been a huge fan of them. His go to food is fish, which he refused to eat. I added a regular 40 watt light bulb (Not a heating bulb) in his cage to raise the temp a little and I turned the heating pad up higher, but he is avoiding the warm side. I guess I will attempt to feed him again in a couple days. Is brumating in October too early?

[guidofatherof5]

I'll try night crawlers but he never really has been a huge fan of them. His go to food is fish, which he refused to eat. I added a regular 40 watt light bulb (Not a heating bulb) in his cage to raise the temp a little and I turned the heating pad up higher, but he is avoiding the warm side. I guess I will attempt to feed him again in a couple days. Is brumating in October too early?

Not if that's what he wants to do.