Snakes in the House/Yard: Identification and Safe Removal

For many homeowners, finding a snake in the garage, basement, or garden is their worst nightmare. While most snakes are harmless and beneficial (eating mice and rats), the fear they invoke is real. Furthermore, identifying a venomous snake from a non-venomous one can be difficult for the untrained eye.

Why Are Snakes on My Property?

Snakes enter human environments for two reasons: Food and Shelter.

1. The Food Source: If you see snakes, it is a strong indicator that you have a rodent problem. Snakes follow the scent trails of mice and rats. If you have mice in your basement, snakes will squeeze in to hunt them.
2. Shelter: Snakes are cold-blooded (ectothermic). In the summer, they seek cool, damp places like basements or crawlspaces. In the fall, they seek warmth to brumate (hibernate) for the winter.

Common Species We Encounter

• Rat Snakes: Excellent climbers. They are often found in attics or rafters hunting birds or squirrels. They are non-venomous but can be large and intimidating.
• Garter Snakes: Small, common yard snakes that eat insects and amphibians.
• Copperheads / Cottonmouths / Rattlesnakes: Venomous species found in our service areas. These should never be approached by a homeowner.

Snake Prevention Tips

To make your property less attractive to snakes:

• Control Rodents: This is the #1 defense. Remove the food, and the predators will leave.
• Habitat Modification: Keep grass cut short. Remove piles of wood, rocks, or debris where snakes can hide.
• Seal Entry Points: Snakes can fit through gaps as small as a quarter-inch. Check door sweeps, where pipes enter the foundation, and cracks in masonry.

Professional Removal

Do not attempt to kill the snake. Most snake bites occur when people try to kill or handle the animal.

At HWCS, our process is safe and thorough:

1. Identification: We identify the species to assess the danger level.
2. Removal: Using snake tongs and hooks, we safely capture the animal and bag it for relocation away from residential areas.
3. Inspection: We search for the entry points and signs of rodent activity. Removing the snake solves the immediate fear, but sealing the home and removing the rodent infestation ensures they don’t return.

If you spot a snake in your home, keep a safe distance, keep eyes on it if possible, and call the professionals at Humane Wildlife Control Solutions.