Seeing a snake in your home or yard can be alarming, especially if you don’t know whether it’s venomous. While most snakes are harmless, they can still pose risks and cause distress. Removing them on your own can be dangerous, so using a pest control company to remove snakes is the safest option. Experts use humane methods to remove snakes and prevent future infestations, ensuring your home stays protected.
Where Do Snakes Hide?
Snakes like to hide in garages, crawl spaces, sheds, basements, and areas with tall grass. These places provide them with shelter, warmth, and easy access to food. For most people, seeing a snake triggers immediate fear, causing a rush of panic, followed by an instinct to flee. It’s important to remember that while some snakes are non-venomous, they can still bite if provoked. The real concern is whether the bite comes from a venomous species, which could lead to severe health issues or even fatalities.
Common Types of Snakes
There are many different species of snakes, some of which are harmless, while others pose a serious threat. Below are some of the most common types:
- Rattlesnakes – Venomous snakes that use their rattles to warn threats before striking.
- Copperheads – Highly adaptable snakes known for their camouflage and venomous bite.
- Cottonmouths – Also called water moccasins, these aggressive, semi-aquatic snakes are venomous.
- Boas – Large, non-venomous constrictors that suffocate their prey before consuming them.
- Garter Snakes – Harmless, small snakes commonly found in gardens and grassy areas.
- Ratsnakes – Non-venomous snakes that feed on rodents and help control pest populations.
- Milksnakes – Often mistaken for venomous species due to their similar coloration.
- Hognose Snakes – Known for their distinctive upturned snouts and unique defensive behaviors.
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How Snakes Can Cause Problems
Snakes can cause several problems for homeowners, ranging from property damage to potential health risks. While they do not dig holes themselves, they often take over burrows created by chipmunks, moles, and other small animals. These burrows can lead to structural damage in yards, gardens, or under porches. Additionally, snakes prefer dark, damp spaces such as stacked rocks, woodpiles, or even the corners of basements. If left unchecked, they can become long-term residents of these hiding spots.
Health Risks of Having Snakes in Your Home
Beyond the risk of bites, snakes can also introduce dangerous bacteria into your home. Some species carry salmonella, a harmful bacterium that can cause food poisoning-like symptoms in humans. This contamination can happen if a snake slithers across surfaces in your home or leaves behind waste. Because of these risks, it is crucial to remove snakes as soon as they are spotted. However, infestations often go unnoticed until telltale signs appear, such as shed snake skins, droppings, or unusual movement noises in walls or crawl spaces.
Are All Snakes Dangerous?
Most snakes that people encounter are non-venomous, meaning their bites are not lethal. However, unless you are well-trained in identifying snake species, it is best to treat all snakes as potentially dangerous. This cautious approach ensures you stay protected against painful or even fatal bites. Even non-venomous snakes can be aggressive if they feel threatened, and their bites can lead to infection or allergic reactions.
Why You Should Never Remove Snakes Yourself
Attempting to remove a snake on your own can be risky, especially if you don’t know what species you’re dealing with. There are many professional wildlife removal companies that specialize in snake removal. These companies have the tools, knowledge, and experience to safely handle the situation without putting anyone at risk.
Additionally, a professional service will identify what is attracting snakes to your property. For example, if you have an existing rodent problem, snakes will naturally be drawn to the area in search of food. Some species may also enter homes or barns to regulate their body temperature, especially during extreme weather conditions.
How Pest Control Companies Handle Snake Removal
1. Comprehensive Inspection
Professional pest control companies conduct a detailed inspection of your home and surrounding areas to locate snake hiding spots. They identify common nesting areas such as woodpiles, basements, sheds, tall grass, and cluttered spaces. Additionally, they assess food sources, such as rodents and insects, that may be attracting snakes to your property.
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2. Safe and Humane Trapping
Instead of harming snakes, experts use specialized traps to capture them safely. These traps are strategically placed based on the inspection findings, ensuring effective removal without causing harm to the animals or the environment.
3. Application of Snake Repellents
To prevent future infestations, pest control companies apply eco-friendly snake repellents around your home. These treatments not only deter snakes but also help eliminate the insects and small rodents that serve as their food source.
4. Property Modification Recommendations
Pest control professionals may suggest small changes to your property to make it less appealing to snakes. This includes removing debris, sealing cracks in your home’s foundation, trimming overgrown vegetation, and properly storing firewood. These measures help reduce the chances of snakes returning.
5. Ongoing Monitoring & Prevention
Many pest control companies offer regular inspections and maintenance to ensure your home remains snake-free. If needed, they provide follow-up visits to check for any signs of snake activity and reinforce preventative measures.
Benefits of Using a Pest Control Company to Remove Snakes in Central Florida
Expertise and Experience
Trained professionals have extensive knowledge of different snake species, their behaviors, and the risks they pose. They can accurately assess the situation, determine whether a snake is venomous, and use the safest, most effective removal techniques to ensure your home is protected.
Safety First Approach
Handling snakes without proper knowledge can be extremely dangerous, especially if you accidentally provoke a venomous species. Pest control experts use specialized tools and protective gear to safely remove snakes, ensuring that you, your family, and your pets are not at risk of bites or injuries.
Long-Term Prevention
Pest control companies in central flordia do more than just remove snakes from your property—they also work to prevent future infestations. By identifying and addressing factors such as food sources, entry points, and hiding spots, they help create an environment that is less attractive to snakes and other pests.
Humane Removal Methods
Most professional pest control services prioritize humane methods for snake removal. Instead of killing the snakes, they use non-lethal trapping techniques to capture and relocate them safely to a more suitable natural habitat, ensuring they do not return to your property.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that trained professionals are handling your snake problem allows you to feel completely at ease. You won’t have to worry about potential encounters or the risks involved in removing snakes yourself, giving you the confidence that your home is safe and secure.
Who to Call for Snake Removal
If you’ve noticed snakes around your home and want professional help, Wild Animal Pest and Removal is a great choice. They offer safe, humane, and effective wildlife removal services. Not only will they remove snakes, but they will also repair any damage caused by wildlife and provide ongoing visits to prevent future infestations.
Conclusion
If you’ve noticed snakes around your home, don’t risk handling them yourself. Hiring a professional pest control company ensures safe, humane, and effective removal while preventing future infestations. Experts not only remove existing snakes but also help identify and eliminate the factors attracting them to your property. By taking proactive measures, you can keep your home and yard snake-free.
FAQs
How do I know if I have a snake infestation?
Signs of a snake infestation include shed snake skins, droppings, unusual movement noises, and sightings of live snakes around your home or yard.
Are all snakes dangerous?
No, most snakes are non-venomous and pose no direct threat. However, unless you are an expert, it’s safest to assume all snakes could be harmful.
Can I remove a snake by myself?
It’s not recommended. Without proper training, you risk injury or misidentifying a venomous species. Always contact a professional for safe removal.
What attracts snakes to my home?
Snakes are drawn to food sources like rodents and insects, as well as sheltered hiding spots such as woodpiles, tall grass, and basements.
How can I prevent snakes from coming back?
To prevent snakes, seal any cracks in your home’s foundation, remove clutter, keep grass trimmed, eliminate food sources, and use snake repellents around your property.