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Signs of snakes in your yard


How to Get Rid of Snakes and Keep Them Away

Understanding how to control the snake population on your property is key to a comfortable outdoor living space.

Reviews by This Old House Reviews Team 08/02/2022 2:04 pm

Whenever you’re in doubt about how to properly control unwanted snakes, the This Old House Reviews Team recommends speaking with a professional pest control company like Orkin. Snakes should always be approached and dealt with after seeking professional help, especially when you’re unsure about the species you’re facing.

How to Identify Common Types of Snakes

Handling any pest issue—especially one as serious as snakes—should always begin with identifying the species. If you suspect you have a venomous snake in your yard, you should not try to manage the snake on your own under any circumstances. But depending on your region, you might be dealing with a long list of non-venomous snakes that are commonly found lurking in bushes, leaf piles, or storage areas.

Common Snake Types and How to Tell Them Apart

Snakes often slither by so quickly that it can be difficult to identify them if you don’t know what to look for. There are a few common factors to consider to make an educated guess. None of these snakes are venomous or present a serious threat to humans.

Garter Snakes

Garter snakes can be found in most regions across North America other than particularly arid areas of the southwest. They typically have three stripes running down the length of their bodies, have heads that are larger than their necks, and can grow up to 54 inches. Color and patterns vary among species.

Rat Snakes

Similar to garter snakes, these creatures vary in coloring and pattern but often feature a dark body with a lighter underbelly and chin. They also have larger heads than their necks. Rat snakes can swim and climb, so you may see them in trees or bodies of water.

Kingsnakes

There are also several varieties of the common backyard snake, the kingsnakes. These types of snakes are commonly mixed up with venomous types, such as the coral snakes, due to the bands of color down their backs. Depending on the species, kingsnakes may have red, yellow, or black markings. Most will have a spoon-shaped head and round pupils.

How to Tell if Snakes Are Venomous

Snakes vary widely in appearance, and you often need to get quite close—which we do not recommend—in order to pick out their unique features. However, there are some quick ways to determine if you could be dealing with a venomous snake in your yard.

SnakesHead ShapePupilsColoring
Venomous SnakesFrequently triangle; Some non-venomous snakes take on this look to intimidate predatorsThin; Vertical; Surrounded by yellow or green eyesVaries widely; Red bands touch the yellow bands on coral snakes
Non-Venomous SnakesRounded and spoon-shaped headsRounded pupilsVaries widely; Yellow and red bands are separated by black bands on scarlet kingsnakes

Why Do I Have Snakes?

Snakes are similar to other pesky visitors in your yard or home—they are often seeking food or shelter. Some snakes may hang around if they have access to eating:

Snakes may also seek shelter in thick brush, dense piles of compost or leaves, or areas of water. Broken gutters, firewood containers, or ventilation can also provide places for snakes to take shelter from the heat. Your area may also have a low number of natural snake predators, such as raccoons and foxes.

Common Signs You Have Snakes

If a slippery creature slithered by you, you may be concerned you have a larger issue. Here are a few signs you may have more snakes in your yard than you know:

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Yard

If you currently have a snake in your lawn, always begin by confirming that the snake is non-venomous before trying to remove it on your own. When in doubt, call animal control for help or your local pest control specialist for long-term management.

Spray the Hose

If you are completely certain the snake is not dangerous, gently spray a hose at a snake from a distance to help it move along.

Trap with a Garbage Can

If you intend to have a professional remove the snake the same day, you can also quickly trap it with a garbage can—again, only if you are sure it is safe to approach.

Use Snake Repellent

Common products like Ortho Snake B Gon work by throwing off a snake’s sense of smell and deter them from nesting in your garden. Many of these products from stores or in your pantry are mostly safe for pets—though you should always double check the label—and do not harm the snakes. For example, rim your pool, yard, or garden with white vinegar to deter snakes from getting this potent liquid on their skin.

Eliminate Standing Water

Inspect your lawn and home for pools of water, particularly in hidden areas such as by your hose, under a storage area, or in the garden. By removing these pools of water, many snake varieties will find another area to nest.

Set a Trap

Again, if you are certain that the snake is harmless, there are available ways to catch and release a snake. Glue traps, for example, lure snakes to their common areas, secure them to the trap and allow you to release the snake with common cooking oils.

Remove Shelter

Snakes like to hide from predators in warm, sheltered places. Remove common areas in your yard where snakes may be living, including piled hoses, firewood storage, tall grasses, dense brush, open areas under sheds, and storage.

Fill in Burrows

Snakes might also co-opt other animal burrows for themselves. Fill in holes and burrows with gravel or dirt to discourage snakes from making a home.

Keep Your Grass Short

Mow your lawn frequently with the setting low to the ground. This keeps snakes from hiding in your yard while eliminating the fear that you will see one out in the open.

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your House

A snake in your house is a much larger issue than outdoors. Call animal control or a pest control specialist if there is a snake in your home that does not have immediate access to leave on its own, especially if it slithered out of sight. Snakes may find ways to get into your home if you have a mouse problem. We recommend contacting a pest control specialist the moment you see a snake in your home to both remove the snake safely and address the underlying problem.

How to Get Rid of Snakes by the Pool

Removing a snake from a body of water is safest with a long pole or hook, such as those used for skimming a pool’s surface. Again, this is only safe when you are sure the snake is harmless. Otherwise, call for professional help right away.

In the long run, prevent snakes from entering your pool area by creating a natural perimeter with vinegar or with a tightly woven mesh fence that can keep snakes out.

How to Keep Snakes Away

Though some snakes can be beneficial to pest control in your yard, there are plenty of reasons why you may not want any taking up residence on your property. Here are a few long-term ways to deter snakes from making a comfortable home in your space.

MethodWhy it Works
Lay gravel or other uneven ground coveringsSnakes cannot move or hide as easily without traditionally smooth or grass-covered spaces
Remove your bird feeder or birdbathThe birdseed or water attracts mice, which in turn, attracts snakes
Feed pets indoorsThis deters rodents and insects from gathering outside
Trim your branchesThis keeps snakes from climbing or making a home in the trees directly over your yard
Remove water elementsAreas prone to snakes may not be ideal for water elements in your landscape design, where snakes enjoy gathering
Add a snake-proof fenceInstall a thin fence that keeps small creatures like mice and snakes from entering either above or just below ground

Protecting Your Home

In addition to keeping any rodent or insect issues in check, be sure to close up any easy entryways for snakes. These may include:

How to Treat a Snakebite

Even non-venomous snakes might bite to protect themselves, and all bites should be taken with the same level of urgency. Immediately call 911, even if the snakebite does not immediately hurt or does not look serious.

In the meantime, or if you do not have immediate access to help, take the following steps:

Do not:

Keeping Good Snakes Around

Having some snakes in your yard is a great sign that you have a healthy environment. Snakes are members of the basic food chain to help control unwanted pests and supply food for larger predators like birds. Harmless snakes may even eat venomous snakes, further ensuring a safe yard. Be sure to check with your local professionals before moving ahead with complete snake eradication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s recap everything we found about how to get rid of snakes with some commonly asked questions and common concerns.

What keeps snakes away from your home?

Natural sprays, treatments, and barriers can keep snakes from entering your property or home in the first place. In the long run, it is best to remove any temptations for snakes, such as:

Do mothballs really keep snakes away?

There is a common myth that mothballs are a safe way to deter snakes. However, it has since been found that moth balls do not have much of an effect. The chemical in mothballs can also be toxic to the water system, cause negative symptoms in humans, and be harmful to pets.

What is the best snake repellent?

Ortho Snake B Gone is one of the most popular natural snake repellents, but general changes to your home and landscape are your best defense for long-term pest control.

Does salt keep snakes away?

Salt has not been found to be a repellent for snakes. Unlike slugs, they are not affected by the salt’s chemical makeup.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews. com.

The No. 1 Sign There's a Snake in Your Yard, Experts Say — Best Life

Your lawn is a sanctuary you happen to share with nature. But while the layout of your flower beds and the look of your lawn may be entirely up to you, the animals that choose to come and visit are ultimately not. And if you're keeping your eyes peeled for a potential snake in your yard, experts say there's one piece of evidence that can be a dead giveaway. Read on to see how you can tell there's a slithering visitor on your property.

READ THIS NEXT: 5 Things in Your Yard That Are Bringing Snakes to Your Home.

iStock

Coming across a literal "snake in the grass" while doing yard work can be scary, especially for anyone with a deep fear of slithering animals. But even though the idea of snakes nearby may be unsettling, experts point out that they actually provide a wide range of benefits, posing no harm to grass or plant life while preying upon pests such as mice, toads, slugs, grasshoppers, and rats that can take a toll on your greenery.

"Snakes tend to get a bad rap from homeowners, but not all snakes are dangerous or even bad to have around your yard," Burns Blackwell, owner of Terminix Triad in North Carolina, tells Best Life. "That being said, you do want to know when you have snakes around your property so you can keep your family and pets safe."

Shutterstock / MLArduengo

As naturally silent and shy creatures, you may live right alongside snakes for a long time before ever realizing they're even there. But even though they tend to do very little to disturb their surroundings, experts say there is still one specific piece of evidence that one is slithering nearby.

"A common sign that you have a snake infestation is finding snakeskin around your property," Toby Cahoon from B&T Pest Control tells Best Life. "They shed their skin as they grow, so finding old skin around is a good sign that they're currently living in your yard."ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Others point out that you're more likely to find evidence of a snake's presence in certain areas. "Snakes shed their skin about once every two months," Blackwell tells Best Life. "Most often, they will rub against trees and shrubs to help remove [it]."

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A common misconception is that noticing small holes in the dirt can be a sign that snakes have moved in—especially if you happen to catch sight of one slithering its way inside one to hide. But according to experts, they're not the ones responsible for digging up your lawn.

"Snakes generally can't make their own nests because they don't have paws and they don't have the mental capacity to create nests. But they will take over old rodent nests as well as use underground burrows and holes," Blackwell tells Best Life. "Snake holes are hard to identify because they often use leftover mole or vole holes, so you should look for snakeskin in and around these holes to identify that it's home to a snake and not a mole. "

iStock

But it's not just shed skin that can tip you off to a snake's presence. Even though they don't have feet, snakes do leave tracks on the ground you may notice in grass or loose dirt. Blackwell advises being on the lookout for a side-winding pattern, saying: "Because most snakes move in a very unique and distinct way, it actually makes them a bit easier to identify their trails and where they've been traveling on your property."

And like any other visiting animal, certain types of droppings can also be surefire evidence that snakes are around. According to experts at Terminix, they typically look like "thick, pasty, dark-brown smears" with a chalky white tip at one end or can contain traces of prey such as bone fragments and hair.

READ THIS NEXT: If You're Not Cleaning This Room, You're Inviting Snakes to Your Home.

Snake danger: how to protect yourself from vipers in a summer cottage

The period of awakening of snakes and their active movement in nature coincides with the beginning of the summer season. TASS spoke with researcher at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, herpetologist and snake catcher Vladislav Starkov about how to prevent the appearance of snakes in your area and what to do if meetings with poisonous animals in the country have become regular.

Snakes spend the winter in hibernation and wake up when the air warms up to 5–6 degrees Celsius, and snow begins to melt in some places on the southern slopes. Then they crawl out of their burrows to bask in the sun. Every year this happens at different times, for example, in 2020 it was a warm March, and in the Tver region, the "exit" of the vipers was recorded at the beginning of the month. If there are frosts, then the awakening is shifting. The peak of snake activity usually occurs at the end of April - May and ends in June, but their movement in search of a partner, food and winter shelter lasts until September. However, this does not mean that the snake is aggressive all season.

"A snake is not always so active and aggressive," explains Vladislav Starkov, a researcher at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, herpetologist Vladislav Starkov. "When it's cold, it lies helpless in the grass, it has a reduced reaction."

Snakes leave for wintering in October. They winter on hills, on bumps, hills, slopes of ravines.

The viper is distributed throughout Russia, it lives even in Karelia and the Murmansk region: snow cover helps it survive harsh winters. But a snowless cold winter can affect the number of snakes not only in the current season, but also in subsequent ones. If there is little snow, this is reflected in the spawning of frogs: swamps and lowlands are not filled with melt water. And since there are few tadpoles and young frogs, it means that there is not enough food for vipers.

Usually a snake lives where it hibernates, does not crawl further than a radius of 20–30 meters, if it is comfortable in this place.

"Conditions suitable for life are if she has a river or pond near her to drink, a lawn to warm herself, bushes, thickets of nettles, raspberries to hide from the heat, if there are mountain ash, hazel - what gives food to mice, - says Vladislav Starkov. - There are such places in the Moscow region - vipers live there and practically do not migrate anywhere, fishermen meet with them regularly, and summer residents do not even know about it. You go 200-300 meters from their habitat - and I am sure that you will not meet a single one: neither in the field, nor in the forest, they only live on this slope.

Snakes love dumps of earth near ditches, karst areas (that is, limestone rocks with cavities and funnels), quarries, drained peat bogs. They do not like clay soils - as they are of little use for wintering.

If there are no comfortable living conditions, vipers migrate, but usually not far from the wintering place for a maximum of five kilometers.

A good shelter for a snake on the site is a pile of construction debris: pieces of slate, roofing felt, boards, logs, compost heaps, covering material for garden plants.

Vladislav Starkov has been catching vipers for the Novosibirsk Serpentarium for many years, where they prepare anti-viper serum and various medicines from their venom. He says that during searches, sometimes you don’t have to go far:

“Gardeners often throw garbage bags and fertilizer bags made of such woven fabric and polyethylene. They create partial shade and a greenhouse effect, dew remains for a long time, condensate is ideal snakes. And I would come in any weather, take a stick, scatter these heaps and pick up vipers from them."

Snakes are also attracted to thickets of hogweed, burdock, nettle, and tall grass. Therefore, it is very important to keep the summer cottage in order. However, if your plot is well-groomed, and your neighbor has uncut grass to the waist, snakes can crawl from him to you. Then a grounded fence, for example, from corrugated board, can help.

“Such a concept as fear cannot be attributed to snakes, they don’t have it,” says Vladislav Starkov. “They are all built on unconditioned reflexes. hedgehogs eat snakes with pleasure, especially small kites."

Hedgehogs can be introduced to the garden by regularly leaving them treats: meat, eggs, seeds, biscuits, cheese.

Snakes can be scared away by strong vibrations, earthworks, but even this does not give an absolute guarantee that they will not appear near a person's dwelling.

"There are very strong vibrations along the railways, where some Sapsan passes, and the snakes live beautifully there, multiply. They get used to everything," says Vladislav Starkov.

For the same reason, the expert calls questionable the effectiveness of snake repellers and powders that promise to ward off reptiles from the site.

No, not true. In addition, even during life, the snake marks the territory during the mating period so that the male can find it. This myth, however, does not stop summer residents who met with a snake on their site: vipers are often killed despite the fact that this is an animal in the Red Book.

If the area is well maintained, there are no shelters attractive for snakes, but they still appear, then the territory of your summer cottage is most likely located on the snake migration route. Cases when people lived for decades in the country and there were no snakes, and then they suddenly appeared, are quite rare, according to Vladislav Starkov. The problem is that when people buy a plot, they are not interested in whether there are snakes in this place.

"I have never heard of people doing or requesting some kind of environmental assessment to understand whether snakes live there or not," says the herpetologist. "I would highly recommend that people turn to specialists to understand this. Now, for example , in the Tver region they sell plots for summer cottages in some areas - hectares, and I know that there are a lot of snakes there. I see markings for plots along the river, and there along the coast there are massive winterings of vipers, I caught 200 pieces there in one day. And people are buying land there."

Only one venomous snake is common in central Russia: the viper. It can be of various colors - from brown with zigzags to completely black. Often, non-poisonous snakes, snakes, copperheads are mistaken for a viper. It is easy to identify only the snake - it has two yellow or orange spots on the sides of its head.

If you see a snake, do not make sudden movements, immediately move to a safe distance without turning your back to the snake. Do not run - in a panic, you may not notice another snake and step on it.

If a snake has crawled into your house or barn, do not try to get it yourself, take your household out of the room, especially children and animals, lock it up and call the rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations - they will catch the snake and take it away from your site.

A viper avoids a person and attacks only if it feels danger: for example, if you step on it, touch it with your hand while working in the garden. If the viper has bitten, you should try not to panic and calm down, recommends Pyotr Davydov, Deputy Chief Physician for the Medical Department of the A.S. Puchkov.

"Fatal cases from a viper bite are extremely rare and are usually caused by an anaphylactic reaction caused by an allergen contained in the venom," the doctor explains.

Therefore, the bite of a viper is very dangerous for children and people suffering from allergies.

If a snake has attacked, you should immediately take any antihistamine medicine at the usual dosage and drink as much water as possible to alleviate the allergic reaction. If the bite hit the arm or leg, you need to treat the wound with an antiseptic, apply a clean bandage on it, and fix the limb. You can apply a splint to slow down the lymphatic drainage at the site of the bite and the spread of the poison, and then urgently go to the doctor: there the patient will be given an antidote.

A person feels a burning pain at the site of a snake bite, swelling, the skin acquires a red-blue tint. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness may occur.

It is impossible to treat the wound with a red-hot iron (despite the savagery and uselessness of the method, it is quite common "among the people"), to tighten the limb with a tourniquet.

"The application of a tourniquet will lead to even greater damage to tissues in which blood supply is already impaired due to the poison," says Petr Davydov. to the site of the bite is appropriate. Cold reduces excessive vasodilation."

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol when bitten by a snake - it dilates blood vessels, accelerates the absorption of poison and increases the load on the body, drinking alcohol can lead to a more pronounced vascular reaction and even collapse.

Most doctors also do not recommend sucking out viper venom, despite the fact that they recognize the effectiveness of this method in the first seconds after the bite.

"Due to the fact that the bite of a viper, unlike, for example, a bite of a cobra, most often does not pose a mortal danger, we do not recommend sucking viper venom from an adult's wound, so as not to introduce an infection, which can then proceed very unfavorably," explains Petr Davydov: — However, this method, applied in the first seconds after a snake bite, before the lymphatic drainage had time to work, is really very effective and allows you to remove up to 50 percent of the poison and thereby reduce the allergic reaction. the poison is absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin and it is difficult to extract it from there."

If a snake has bitten a pet - a cat or a dog - it must be urgently delivered to the veterinarian, where it, like a person, will be injected with anti-viper serum.

Karina Saltykova

In the morning, after a restless night, you look for a dream book, look at the interpretation of dreams. At night, when the brain is disconnected from extraneous information, it analyzes the situation and sends us signals, suggesting solutions and warning of danger. It is all the more important to know why snakes dream, these mystical creatures that a person rightly fears. So why do snakes dream? According to Loff's dream book, if you are afraid of snakes and you dream about them - nothing good, a destructive dream. But we must remember that in Asia and North America the snake is a symbol of wisdom. Therefore, if you dream that a snake is shedding its skin, this is an update.

We understand in order, using various interpretations.

What does a snake dream about in dream books

Remember that to see it in a dream is a warning about the danger hanging over you, about the evil that threatens you. This is how Miller's dream book interprets this dream. Vanga's dream book complements - the enemies are just waiting for the right moment to attack! According to the Slavic dream book, to see a snake in a dream is also a sign of an enemy or a disease. According to Tsvetkov's dream book - deceit, betrayal. According to Nostradamus - deceit, evil, cunning. We draw a conclusion!

Why many snakes dream

It means that you are afraid of the development of some kind of disease, and this fear is very strong. Moreover, someone encroaches on your place in the circle of friends. This is how Miller's dream book interprets the situation. Wangi's dream book adds: a ball of snakes is a bad sign. There are too many envious people around who wish you a lot of trouble both in work and in life. Be careful, don't be so gullible, be careful not to say too much. The dream book of Nostradamus reads this in the same vein - you risk becoming a victim of intrigue.

Why do little snakes dream

And this question has its own answers - interpretations. And again you are in danger. According to Miller's dream book, small snakes dream of a big deception. People you trust can be sneaky and gossip behind your back.

Why do women dream of snakes

According to Miller - a threat. First of all, a woman dreams of snakes if she is worried about her child, according to Miller's dream book. As an option, well-wishers will offer her to abandon a dear person “for his own good.” And if a woman is bitten by a dead snake, then you will have to suffer from the hypocrisy of a loved one.

Why a man dreams of snakes

A separate approach to what snakes dream of is according to Freud's dream book. He believed that the serpent was associated with the penis. And therefore, such a dream speaks of the high sexuality of a man.

Why dream that a snake has bitten

The dream warns, according to Miller's dream book, that, alas, the enemies have found a gap in your defense and will strike. And you won't be able to resist him. Vanga agrees - most likely, you will not immediately understand who caused you damage. And this will be a close person, perhaps turning to black magic. According to Nostradamus, this means that you are experiencing great difficulties and it is not easy for you. And also - to a big scandal, maybe even a political one. And according to Freud, everything testifies to treason. Sexual relations will be violated by the "third wheel".

Why dream of a dead snake

If a snake has stung another, then you run the risk of offending a loved one. If you see how snakes threaten to sting, then it means to avert trouble, to uncover a conspiracy. This is according to Miller's dream book. Vanga believes that this may be a message about a fatal illness of a person close to you.

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