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How to get rid of stuff » Pest Problems » How to Get Rid of Snakes
 

How to Get Rid of Snakes

January 24th, 2007 by admin
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A girl and a garter snake in her hands.When I arrived for a tour of duty in Vietnam, I was told that there were 100 different species of snakes in Southeast Asia; however, only 97 of them were venomous. The other 3 species just swallowed you whole. This story pretty much sums up the average man’s feelings about snakes. Although a large majority of these reptiles are not harmful and many are actually beneficial, people have a fear and aversion to them. Many benign species such as gopher snakes and garter snakes serve a useful purpose in reducing unwanted rodent populations.

There are several different varieties of venomous snakes in the United States such as the copperhead and the rattlesnake. Some snakes live in or near water and others live on land. They are all carnivores that stalk and kill their prey. Unless you’re absolutely sure that the species you’re dealing with isn’t venomous, it’s a good idea to just avoid them. Even a venomous baby snake can inflict a painful and dangerous bite.

The simple answer is that you or someone properly equipped and trained is going to have to catch them and take them away. There are all kinds of different ideas on how to discourage them or drive them away, but the evidence shows most of these to be worthless. Commercial snake repellents do not work. Some people have suggested predator urine from an animal like a coyote or a fox. Ultrasonic sound emitters. Mothballs in your yard. Ammonia soaked rags. The list goes on and on, but none of these have been proven successful in driving away snakes – but if you feel you’ve discovered a miracle deterrent that doesn’t involve a mongoose, please share it with the rest of our readers using the form at the bottom of this page.

A girl and a garter snake in her hands.Again, the only way to get rid of snakes is to catch them and physically remove them from your property and the only way to keep them away is to eliminate a snake-friendly environment.

To discourage them from taking up residence on your property, start by eliminating their desired environments. Make sure your lawn is mowed and not overgrown with high weeds. Cut back overgrowth. Keep log piles and compost heaps a safe distance from your house. Use wire mesh fences at ground level around crawl spaces or your garden to keep snakes out of those places. Reducing the rodent population which is their main food supply will also send them elsewhere to eat. If you still find one slithering across your lawn, call the local Animal Control people to come remove it from your property.




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  1. October 25th, 2009 at 2:46 pm    sandy Says:

    If you want to find the snake in your house, try putting flour on the floor or along baseboards and it will leave trails from the snakes movements

  2. August 4th, 2009 at 1:14 pm    Monica Billsie Says:

    Not a comment, request for help. How do I get a snake out from underneath my 2007, Chyrsler SeBre?

  3. June 5th, 2009 at 3:56 pm    Chloe Says:

    My problem lies not with copperheads or pesky rattlers…. I followed the tracks of a very very very large snake in my yard. This proved very disturbing to me for I have 3 small dogs. I do not know what kind of snake it is, but I have a feeling it’s a python or a boa. Here’s why…. a month ago I found a BABY snake pressed up to the garage door. Yes a baby snake, which looked like a python or a boa. I researched all I could on snakes and I have not found one that looks just like it yet. The Problem: The MOMMA is still in the backyard and it is so large I can hear it slithering along the ground hunting at night. Could someone please give me the satisfation and tell me this isn’t really a snake? I would appreciate it. P.S. I’ve always wanted a pony!

  4. May 27th, 2009 at 5:12 pm    annette Says:

    I have seen an advertisement for an electronic snake repellent. Do anyone know if this works.

  5. May 8th, 2009 at 8:00 am    Cameron Says:

    For those with dogs…most snake bites are not serious at all, and can be treated with benadryl and a cleaning, except for rattlers and such. You should see your vet to get a vaccine for any common venomous snakes in your area.
    I work at a rural, and I mean very rural animal shelter, and we have seen several snakes in the past few days. I expected it, seeing how we are in the country and the previous management allowed the shelter to have a surmountable mice infestation. What concerns me is that snakes do not generally want to go anywhere near dogs, yet they keep showing up in their pens, or courtyard areas where we keep several dogs at a time. I know they are following the food, the insane amount of little creepy mice we have(not originally from the country) but I am getting really afraid to walk back to the dogs. I mean, I’m terribly afraid of the mice, but would rather encounter 20 of them, than 1 snake. So, with an infestation of rats, what can I do about the snakes, that won’t be harmful to our dogs??
    Thanks!

  6. May 7th, 2009 at 10:25 pm    Gloria Says:

    I live out on 20 acres in the woods and have killed 19 copperheads in one season last year. I have dachshunds and although they find the copperheads they have yet to kill one.. They are constantly getting bitten and I run out with the hoe and kill the snake when I hear the dogs do the “snake alert bark”. Moth balls, sulphur, snake away NOTHING works to keep the snakes from coming. I have cats and they could care less about killing a snake… they are feral cats so not lazy house cats. I have found NOTHING keeps them away but a sharp shovel does a great job decapatating them. I HATE COPPERHEADS

  7. April 11th, 2009 at 7:30 pm    Andrea Says:

    Ok…I have a great concern with snakes…we live in a ranch and I know there is a a lot of snakes…yikes! Do snake repellents really work? What are the best way to get rid of them. What can I put on the trees of my ranch so they won’t just hang there…I am so terrified of them.

  8. March 15th, 2009 at 5:53 am    snake catcher Says:

    I use mothballs put them around your house in any holes you see and in the garden. The fumes from the mothballs irritate them and they well leave the place for a long time. In addition, skunks will not come around either. Or you can use limes, pour it around you property and just put some lime out their to it well do the job as well. On the other hand, if you are desperate you can spray gasoline or diesel around there and in any holes; you see to get rid of them.
    Or a good shotgun well do the trick.

    Rattlesnake catcher

  9. November 4th, 2008 at 12:15 am    nancy Says:

    Well, in 4 months I have had 5 snakes, 2 poisonous 2 not sure about, 1 nonvenomous. None of the same species. I have yet to find anyone who is willing to come catch and remove snakes. I am not willing to get close with a hoe, so I guess I will try the shotgun method. Problem is, my dogs keep finding the snakes before I do. They have been lucky and neither the copperhead nor the water moccasin bit them. I have had them “snake” trained – twice now. There has got be a better way! I am afraid to go out and mow the lawn. as I only have a push mower.

  10. August 9th, 2008 at 9:13 pm    josh Says:

    gasoline!!!
    pour it on the snake and if in a area close to a water spout lite em upp!
    or it will die slowly but surely just killed a copperhead today

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