What to do about snakes

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Snakes instill a deep-rooted fear in many people that few other animals can match.

Even other animals seem to put them in a special category; many wild animals recognize snakes as threatening, and some birds and monkeys even have special vocalizations for sounding an alarm when a snake is seen.

But there’s no justification for the persecution of these animals and the acts of violence often committed when even the most harmless of them is sighted.

Snakes suffer greatly from changes in their habitat. Isolated when their natural land is broken up by development, they can’t easily move across the unfriendly terrain.

Many species are either already gone or are rapidly disappearing from city and suburb, lowering the number of human-snake conflicts, but depriving those who delight in encountering them that pleasure.

 

Exclusion (preventing entry or re-entry)

Excluding snakes from buildings can be as difficult as excluding rodents. And keeping snakes out of yards or gardens may be completely impractical.

Snakes in houses may be there either accidentally (for instance, washed in by flood waters) or purposely to find prey or shelter. They can become trapped inside and may die from lack of food or moisture if not captured and removed.

Note: Some snakes may hibernate in cellars or crawl spaces of older houses. The presence of shed skin usually indicates that a snake has been living in the house for some time.

 

Habitat management
Reduce the chance of a snake moving in your yard by making it less attractive (to snakes, at least).

Removing potential hiding places for both snakes and their prey including:

• Piles of rocks, wood, or other debris.
• Tall grass and undergrowth.
• Cracks around concrete porches and sidewalks.
• Storage sheds with space under the floor.

 

Public health concerns
Snakes are not known to transmit any disease to humans.

When a non-poisonous bite breaks the skin:

• Treat the wound like any other puncture wound that can get infected.
• Immediately consult a physician.
  If bitten by a poisonous snake:
• Call 911 or transport victim to the hospital immediately.
• Secure the snake if possible for identification.
• Stay calm and inactive.
• Do not cut open bite wound to bleed or suck out venom.

While all venomous snake bites are potentially fatal, the neurotoxic venom of coral snakes is more deadly than the hemotoxic venom of pit vipers. Source

5 SIGNS OF A SNAKE PROBLEM

Snakes are one type of wildlife that inspires fear among homeowners. While most snakes are relatively harmless, you must remember that even a bite from a non-poisonous species is painful and comes with the risk of infection.

In addition to the common garter snake, North Carolina is also home to many aggressive snake species such as rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads that can pack more severe bites that could land you or a loved one in the emergency room.

Fortunately, most snakes prefer to live in the wild away from humans, but they may still occasionally find their way onto your property or even get into your home as they search for warmth or a place to make their nest. Watch for these signs of a snake infestation so that you can take steps immediately to preserve the safety of your property.

NOTICING THEIR TRACKS

Snakes get from one place to another using muscular contractions of their body that scoot them along the ground. Although there are several distinct types of snake movements, they all leave tracks on a dusty or dirt-covered ground.

Typically, a snake track creates an s-shape that occurs in a pattern. However, this could vary and look more like a sideways squiggle depending upon the snake’s movements. If you suspect that a snake is residing in a clean space such as in your kitchen, you can try spreading flour or another dusty material to see if you find tracks in the morning.

DISCOVERING DROPPINGS

Like any other pest, snakes will leave droppings in their wake. A snake’s droppings tend to resemble a bird’s since it contains a yellow-white liquid portion that contains urea. However, a snake dropping also has a longer solid brown portion that may contain undigested pieces of its food such as bones, hair, or feathers.

Identifying wild animal droppings can be difficult for an inexperienced homeowner. However, you should always avoid handling animal feces, and arrange for a professional snake inspection anytime that you find droppings in a space that should not house wild animals such as your attic or crawlspace.

HEARING STRANGE NOISES

Snakes are silent creatures that do not vocalize. However, their movements can generate noise, especially if they are attempting to flee a cluttered area. Be wary of slithering sounds or noise from falling objects when you enter an unoccupied space such as the storage shed.

SEEING SHED SKIN

As they grow, snakes shed their skin. These discarded skins may be anywhere that snakes inhabit. While you may occasionally find one in your yard, you should be concerned if there is an excessive amount or if you find one inside where a snake should not be living.

SIGHTING AN ACTUAL SNAKE

For those who fear snakes, sighting one can be upsetting. However, you may find a snake indoors snuggling near a heat source such as the water heater or behind the oven. Snakes also find their way into storage areas such as the garage or a shed as they search for rodents.

Although sighting a snake is distressing, keep in mind that the majority of snakes will leave you alone if you do not provoke them to attack. Simply make a note of their location and contact a professional wildlife removal technician to ensure that the snake is no longer on your property.

At Triangle Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Inc, we have the training and experience to safely handle all types of snakes that might invade your property. Give us a call at the first sign of a snake problem to restore the safety of your home or business.