Snake Removal - Useful Snake Safety Tips

Posted by Carlos Whitney on May 11th, 2021

Snakes tend to slither off on their own and pose a minor threat to homeowners and their families. However, sometimes when snakes are continually present and nest in a yard, they can become a severe threat. When snakes become a problem, it is time to call for help with their removal. A snake removal specialist can remove the snake, destroy the nest, and help homeowners develop methods to keep their yards snake-free.

Appearance

There are more than 3000 species of snakes, ranging in a variety of colors from dull brown and black to green. How a snake looks depends significantly upon their surroundings as they tend to blend in. Though not always the case, the snake’s head shape can help determine if the snake is dangerous or not. Identifying a snake by its head shape is easy because most, not all, but most snakes with triangle-shaped heads are venomous. 

Diet

Most snakes feed on rodents, eggs, small mammals, birds, lizards, and other smaller snakes. Small grass snakes feed on insects, fish, and frogs. Yards with heavy infestations of rats, mice, and insects are excellent nesting places for snakes. Eliminating these items from a yard can help reduce the chances of a snake infiltrating a property. 

Walk Away

In most cases, the snake is just passing through a yard, and in other cases, the snake is completely harmless. Not every snake sighting is a reason to become alarmed. Walk away and let the snake be. If the snake keeps returning or is venomous, immediately call a snake removal specialist for help dealing with it. 

Habitat

Most snakes like to live in areas where they have access to consistent heat. Preferring warmer climates is why most snakes live in southern states, but there are some snakes found throughout the country where plenty of food and shelter is available. Snakes can build their nests just about anywhere, as long as they can access food and water. Common places snakes nest are in the ground, treetops, farmland, abandoned buildings, and sheds. Snakes like to move around in areas with high grass and plenty of places to hide. 

Habitat Modification

Snakes come onto properties for a reason. Properties with features that attract snakes, such as thick vegetation, water source, rocks, stacked wood, or mice infestations, are the ones where snakes tend to nest. If there is food, water, and a place for the snake to hide, it will stick around. Eliminate all the hiding areas and food and water sources. 

Keep grass trimmed short and trim back hedges. Remove woodpiles. Fill in the gaps in the rocks with dirt. Remove or seal off any other cracks, openings, or potential hiding places for snakes. A tall solid fence around the perimeter can help aid in the deterrent of snakes. 

Entry Points

Snakes will enter a yard or building in search of food, water, and shelter. For the most part, snakes will stay away from areas busy with human activity. However, sometimes snakes will enter a yard and home. Common entry points into a home include open doors and gaps and cracks in the building’s foundation. 

Dangers

Though snakes tend to shy away from human activity, they will go into these areas if there is plenty of access to food, water, and shelter. Some dangers with this include the fact that snakes may feed on young chickens and smaller pets. Other problems include snake bites which can be very painful and fatal if bitten by a venomous snake. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention. 

DIY Removal Methods

There are many snake removal methods homeowners can do on their own. Some of these methods include scaring the snake away, using a snake repellant, and trapping it. However, the best approach is to employ habitat modification methods to keep snakes away. 

Once a snake has entered a property, homeowners can try DIY removal methods, but these are not always the most effective or safest methods to remove the unwanted snakes. If unsure of what type of snake it is, consult with a snake expert before handling and removing the snake without hiring a professional. 

Hire a Professional

When snakes become a problem, call a removal specialist for help handling it. Local snake removal experts have the training, experience, and qualification to trap the snake safely. The experts are the ones who can quickly identify if the snake is venomous or not and if the snake is a problem. Additionally, the removal expert will relocate the snake to an area where it will not be a problem. 

Hiring a snake removal expert can help homeowners gain peace of mind by ensuring their property is snake-free. Additionally, snake removal specialists can help determine what is attracting the snakes, identify where they are entering the property, and develop a plan to keep them away. Call today for an inspection and guidance when dealing with nuisance snakes.