How to Get Rid of Snakes: Humane Removal Methods and Prevention Tips

Does spotting a snake send you into a blind panic? There’s no getting away from the fact that some venomous species pose a risk to people and pets. But, it's a relief to know most snakes in North America are harmless—and they usually want to avoid contact with you too. 

Since this can be a dangerous DIY, it’s best to call in the pros with the experience and skill to swiftly and safely remove snakes from your yard. But if you feel confident in your abilities, here’s how to get rid of snakes and keep them away for good. 

Before Getting Rid of Snakes 

If you're confident your slippery squatter isn’t a venomous species, you might decide to peacefully cohabitate. But if you’re worried about pets and kids or you think you’re dealing with a venomous snake, you’ll want to evict them with as little drama (for you and them) as possible.

Take Safety Precautions

Stay safe no matter what snake removal method you use by taking the following precautions:

• Wear long-sleeved pants and shirts.

• Don high-topped leather, steel, or rubber boots.

• Use heavy-duty gloves.

• Keep pets and kids inside.

• Avoid sudden movements.

• Work from a distance using long poles.

• Call local wildlife control if you’re at all unsure and if you’re dealing with a venomous species.

Identify the Snake

The Center for Wildlife Damage Management explains that around 150 species of snakes are found across North America, so amateur identification isn’t always easy. Thankfully, only around 10% of these species are venomous. However, if you have any doubt, call in the experts, or at least try to safely get a photo to send to them.

How to Tell If a Snake Is Venomous or Nonvenomous

We realize you might not be able to get too close to a snake to tell whether or not it’s venomous, but here are a few signs to look for. Keep in mind these traits don’t always apply to the snake either.

Most venomous snakes have heads that are flat and triangular in shape. Their necks are slim, pupils vertical, and they have a single (rather than double) row of scales found under the end of their tail. 

Copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes are some of the most common venomous species found in North America, with the large eastern diamondback rattlesnake being the most venomous. Look for the distinct dark diamond-shaped blotches on the dorsal with a border of yellow scales. It also has yellowish-white stripes running from the mouth to the eye.

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Yard

Although living alongside many non-venomous species harmoniously is possible, snakes may attack if threatened. So, if they’re in close quarters with curious kids, kitties, or canines, it’s a good idea to remove the snakes (especially if there’s a chance they can get inside your house) and discourage them from returning. 

1. Get Out the Hose

To encourage a snake to find a new hangout, gently spray water from a hose from at least 15 feet away, directing it away from your home and yard. Be aware that some snake species see this as an attack, which can make them more aggressive—so it's not a tactic to employ with venomous species.

2. Try a Catch-and-Release Trap

If the snake has made its way onto an enclosed patio, sunroom, garage, or room in your house, you can try humanely trapping it. 

Only attempt these trap methods if you’re sure the snake isn’t venomous or a protected species in your area, which a pro should help remove. And remember, even non-venomous snakes can bite. When handling traps, proceed with caution and wear personal protective equipment.  

Relocate any snakes you trap successfully to an uninhabited area with suitable food and shelter sources. Ensure the trap is securely shut but won’t cut off the air supply for your temporary captive.

Garbage Can Trap

1. Tip a large trash can onto its side and carefully herd the snake toward it with a broom. 

2. Once inside, move the can upright, and put the lid on.

3. Transport your temporary neighbor to a new, more suitable home. 

Bag Trap

1. Put a damp burlap sack near the snake's usual hiding spots. 

2. Cover it in dry sacks to help keep the moisture in. 

3. Carefully check the bag daily.

4. If a snake settles in for a snooze, tie the bag and relocate the snoozing serpent.

3. Use Ammonia-Soaked Rags

Another option involves taking rags and soaking them in ammonia and then placing them around the perimeter of your yard. Snakes supposedly hate the smell of ammonia and won’t come near it, so this may be an effective method even after you’ve spotted a snake in your yard. 

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Pools

Sometimes, snakes like to take a dip in your pool to cool off during the summer months. If you find a snake has invited itself over for a pool party, you can try removing it a few different ways or by hiring a snake removal expert. 

1. Use a Net

If you see the snake swimming freely in your pool, you can use a net to capture it and place it in another location. If you don’t have a net, you could use a long stick or pole since a snake will most likely wrap itself around it when given the chance.

2. Wait on the Skimmer

Eventually, the snake will likely end up in your skimmer, and when it does, it won’t be able to get out on its own. Once it’s in the skimmer, you can simply remove the basket and place the snake in another location—hopefully far enough from your place so it doesn’t want to return. As you’re handling the skimmer, remember the snake will either be alive and well or have died from the exhaustion of constant swimming, but use caution and assume it’s alive. 

3. Use a Commercial Snake Trap

There are snake traps available on the market for use in pools or surrounding areas. You can purchase one of these and use it to capture the snake without a pole, net, or other means. When shopping for one, make sure it’s large enough for the snakes in your area and appropriate for use in a pool (some traps are made of cardboard, while others are plastic).

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Home

It’s not uncommon for snakes to try and enter your home, especially during the cold winter months, particularly in basements, cellars, or crawl spaces. You can try to coax a snake out by placing damp burlap bags near the area where you last saw the snake. After a few days, take a shovel and remove the pile of burlap bags, which has hopefully attracted the snake.

You can reduce the chances of this occurring by sealing all the holes around your home where a snake might try to get in. Screening all outside vents, sealing cracks and holes around the foundation, and ensuring all your windows and doors close tightly can discourage snakes from entering your home.

How to Keep Snakes Away From Your Home

If you spot another uninvited yard guest no sooner than you’ve gotten rid of the last one, you might unintentionally be tempting snakes to your yard. Here are some preventative steps you can take to keep snakes away from your home for good. 

Remove Food Sources

If you offer an all-you-can-eat buffet to local snakes, they may set up shop in your yard. Mice and rats are a big part of a snake's diet. To keep rodents away from your porch, try these methods:

• Remove bird feeders. 

• Feed your pets inside.

• Store animal feed in airtight containers. 

• Secure coops and hutches to protect eggs, chickens, and small animals.

Clear the Clutter and Potential Shelters

Cool, quiet, damp, sheltered areas are the perfect havens for snakes. Keeping your yard free from debris and clutter helps remove potentially habitable spots. Try the following:

• Don’t store firewood near your home, and keep it at least 12 inches off the ground.

• Remove piles of old, rotten lumber or rocks.

• Trim shrubs, especially those growing near your home's foundation, and keep their branches at least 24 inches away from the ground.

• Remove piles of leaves.

• Fill in any burrow holes in the ground.

Keep Grass Short

Mowing your grass down to 1 inch or less makes your lawn less hospitable to snakes. They'll be at greater risk of being spotted by predators, and short grass doesn’t harbor the same number of tasty insects as long grass. Plus, you, your family, and your pets will more likely spot a snake in short grass than tall. 

Remove Standing Water

Snakes are fans of damp spaces, and puddles in your landscape attract snake prey species like slugs, frogs, worms, and other insects.

• Don’t overwater your lawn.

• Address any drainage issues.

• Repair broken gutters.

• Consider removing small ponds and birdbaths. 

• Remove moisture-retaining mulch and opt for crushed stone or pine cone varieties, which act as sharp deterrents.

Use Snake-Proof Fencing

Snake-proof fencing might be a worthwhile investment if you live in an area with a high population of venomous snakes, such as Arizona, Florida, or Texas. 

Fencing a large yard might not be practical or within your budget, but you could enclose a smaller area where your kids or dogs play.

Use 1/4-inch galvanized mesh or solid sheet fencing that is at least 40 inches high. Set it a few inches into the ground, use supportive stakes if necessary, and keep grass and plants cut back to prevent snakes from using them to crawl over the fence. Hire a local fence company if you need help.

Why Are Snakes on Your Property? 

While the occasional non-venomous snake is probably nothing to worry about, you also don’t want your yard to be a haven for these reptiles. Snakes are attracted to yards that have pet food, insects, and rodents. 

You might also attract snakes if you have plenty of hiding spots, including tall grass, overgrown or thick shrubs, open storage, boxes, pools of water, firewood containers, or broken gutters. 

Signs of Snakes

Slippery by name and nature, snakes try to avoid human contact. They’ll often reside in cool, damp, dark undergrowth and hide there when humans approach. Look out for them near pools, ponds, bird baths, or other water sources too. Here are some signs you have snakes in your yard: 

• Slither tracks in dirt or dust

• Droppings

• Shed skin

• Distinctive musky odor (they often secrete this when threatened)

• Sudden drop in rodent numbers around your yard

Common Snakes You May Find in Your Yard

While there’s a wide variety of snake species, there are a few common ones you are more likely to see slithering across your lawn. 

• Garter snakes: Garter snakes can be found almost anywhere and are the most common snake. They’re typically small, up to no more than 39 inches long, and vary in color and pattern.

• Rat snakes: Like the Garter snake, the Rat snake has various markings and colors but is mostly known for its shiny black scales. You can also spot a Rat snake because its head is larger than its neck, and these snakes can get up to seven feet long.

• Kingsnakes: Also extremely common in the U.S., Kingsnakes come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including stripes and dots, and can get up to seven feet in length. 

DIY vs. Hire a Pro

If you’re concerned about a potentially venomous snake in your home or yard, it’s best to seek the advice and support of a licensed and local snake removal specialist. They have the experience and skills to accurately identify the snake, safely remove it, and legally relocate it to an appropriate site. DIY expenses for things like repellants or traps will typically be under $50. But if you’re dealing with a venomous species, don’t delay in calling in the pros instead.

How Much Does Snake Removal Cost?

There are obvious risks that come along with venomous snakes taking up residence in your space, and that’s why it’s important to call in the pros rather than trying to handle it yourself. Snake removal costs $340 on average, which is right on par with general animal removal costs, but it could be more or less depending on your location, where the snake resides, the species, and any local regulations.

​​Gemma Johnstone contributed to this article.