No one wants to find snake slithering through their property. If you’re noticing a surplus of snakes on your property that seem to be sticking around, you may need to take measure to remove them. Most snakes will leave on their own, but if this isn’t the case, there are some simple things you can do.
Maintain Your Yard and Reduce Rodents
The best way to keep your yard snake free is to keep your yard a place that is not welcoming to snakes. Trim back ground bush, fill in holes, mow your lawn regularly. A well maintained lawn is not attractive to snakes. Snakes are much more likely to infest a yard where there can create nests and dens. They will also be more attracted to rodents. Because they feed off of these little guys, if rodents are in your yard, you are welcoming snakes to their dinner. Keep your lawn free of rodents and pests and you’ll keep your lawn free of snakes. They cannot sustain life without something to feed off of and somewhere to live, if you do not provide these things—they won’t stick around long in your yard.
Use Snake Repellant
If you’re finding that snakes have been in your yard long term, you may want to consider investing in some snake repellant. There are several options for effective snake repellants. Spread the repellent over the areas where you have seen snakes. If you still see snakes in the areas you have applied repellant, apply again, a more concentrated amount around the perimeter of your property. This will create a barrier that snakes will not want to cross to enter your yard. You may need to repeat the process a few times for it to be completely effective.
Set Traps
Similar to rodent traps, there are many options entrap these slithering serpents and removed them from your yard. You can try a minnow or maze trap that will entrap the snake without harming it, allowing you to release it off of your property. Another popular trap is the typical glue trap. A sticky area will trap the snake, but it can easily be released by pouring oil directly over the snake.
Most traps have the objective to capture the snake without harming it, so keep in mind if you go this route you will likely have to release the snake. Before setting your traps, dress in protective clothing—gloves, closed toed shoes, long pants, and long sleeves. Protect yourself from any potential snake encounters. Even non-venomous snakes can be harmful.
After setting the trap, camouflage it with dirt, leaves, and other debris around your yard. You can also bait the trap with a fresh egg. Snakes don’t eat dead meat, so unless you have a live mouse on hand, an egg is probably the route to go.
Check your trap regularly. Once you have caught a snake or two, relocate it in a non-inhabited are at least 10 miles from your property to ensure it doesn’t return.