Inspect All Outside Vents, Exhausts, Or HVAC Units
Be sure to protect any openings that lead into your home through the outside walls or roof, such as outdoor fireplace or dryer vents, exhausts systems, or heat/air conditioner units. These are common ports of entry for snakes and other critters.
It happens all the time. In fact, just a few weeks ago, a neighbor of mine came face-to-face with a copperhead that was staring at her from behind the glass window in her gas fireplace. Needless to say, a whole lot of craziness was going on in that house. It turned out, the snake had made his way in through the fireplace vent on the outside wall of her home. Be sure to seal off any openings with 1/4″ metal mesh to keep unwanted snakes and critters out!
Keep Your Dog On A Leash
If you happen to notice a snake slithering through your yard, you’ll know to stay away. But, seeing a snake wiggle across the ground is usually enough to peek Fido’s curiosity … which can get him into trouble. Snake bites happen quickly when a snake feels threatened or startled. So, if you suspect there are snakes in your yard then keep your dog on a leash. Don’t let him explore, go under trees, play in piles of mulch, brush, pine needles, ground cover, or any other place he is likely to encounter a snake.
Snakes are especially aggressive during mating season, and if you see baby snakes then keep Fido away. While many assume baby snakes are safer since they’re smaller – think again. The bite from a venomous baby snake can be even more deadly than a larger snake in some instances because a baby snake does not yet know how to control the release of his venom and may release his whole supply in one bite.
Snakes commonly make woodpiles their home. They offer numerous hiding places to stay cool, dry, and out-of-sight. Plus, you can compare large wood piles to outdoor eateries for snakes since little critters like mice, rats, and squirrels like to hang out there as well. If you must have a woodpile, keep it away from your house and stack it at least a foot off the ground.
Snakes love rock piles. They too offer unlimited hiding spots, temperature regulation, and a mini menu of food options (AKA small critters and bugs).
Pick Pets that Keep Snakes Away.
Unless you have a mongoose that you are willing to set free in the yard, your pet isn’t going to completely keep the snakes away. However, it will deter them a bit.
Be sure to clean up after your pet though. Their feces and pet food dishes make them prime candidates for attracting rodents. When your pets attract rodents, rodents attract snakes, so clean up the cat and dog poop.
Although pets can deter some species of snakes, you can also put your pet at risk. Depending on where you live in North America, there are up to four different types of venomous snakes. In different areas of the country, you may come across species that include the cottonmouth, copperhead, coral snake and various subspecies of rattlesnakes.
If you happen to live in Florida, you also would need to worry about various pythons that have been breeding in recent years. These constrictors are big enough to make a meal of your pet. Consider these things and use caution before turning your pet loose to keep snakes away.
How to keep snakes away from your home. Advice from a wildlife biologist.
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Dr. Pachel is an accomplished board-certified veterinary behaviorist and highly sought after lecturer on many aspects of animal behavior. His approach to animal behavior cases focuses on the importance of the human-animal bond and the wide and varied roles that companion animals play in the lives of their families. He lectures and teaches throughout the country and owns and practices at Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, OR. In his spare time, Dr. Pachel loves to run marathons, practice yoga, take weekend RV excursions, and discover new beers…not all necessarily at the same time though.