Snakes instill a very deep sense of fear in many people. We will often do whatever we can to keep a snake away from our homes, family, pets, yards and gardens. Snakes are beneficial because they keep the rodent population under control. There are about 250 species of snakes in the United States and Canada. Only two groups are venomous - the coral snake and the pit vipers. The pit vipers include the cottonmouth/water moccasin, copperhead, and rattlesnake.
There are three ways to distinguish between a pit viper and a nonpoisonous snake in the United States:
- Pit Vipers have a deep pit on each side of the head, midway between the eye and nostril. This does not exist on nonpoisonous snakes.
- Poisonous snakes have a scale pattern on the underside that goes all the way across the width of the tail in a row. Nonpoisonous snakes have a more broken pattern.
- The pupil of the viper is egg shaped. A nonpoisonous snake has an eye shape that is round.
Although snakes rarely do significant damage to a property, people will go to great means to keep a snake away by using Dr. T's® Snake A Way® repellent and snake proofing their homes.
Snakes do not cause damage to structures, property or landscaped areas. They do not eat crops or plants. Some larger species may cause problems around poultry houses by taking a chick or an egg. They are considered beneficial because they often control the rodent population as their diet consists of rats, mice, chipmunks, bird eggs, and baby birds. Snake bites from a nonpoisonous snake have no venom and do not cause an adverse reaction. A snake bite from a poisonous snake will cause an almost immediate reaction of swelling, black and blue mark along with tingling and nausea. A bite from a pit viper (copperheads, rattlesnakes and cottonmouths) will reveal two fang marks in addition to teeth marks. There are several ways that you can keep a snake away from your home. This can be done through habitat modification, exclusion, repellents and trapping. In most states, snakes are considered nongame wildlife and are protected by state law unless they are about to cuase personal or property damage.
Repelling a snake away from an area is a common solution. Dr. T's® Patented Snake-A-Way® Repellent is the only EPA registered product on the market. In order for a product to be EPA registered, third party testing must be submitted to support every claim made on the label. Snake-A-Way® is a very effective odor repellent to snakes. Snakes use their tongue to help them smell. Gaseous particles from the repellent are picked up by the snake's tongue and inserted into the two-holed organ, called the Jacobson's Organ, at the roof of the snake's mouth. After extensive testing, Snake-A-Way® was determined to repel rattlesnakes and checkered garter snakes over 90% of the time. While Snake-A-Way® may keep other types of snakes away, it is not expected to consistently repel corn snakes, rat snakes, moccasin, cottonmouth and copperheads.
Habitat modification is also crucial to keeping the snake away. Since snakes main food source is birds, eggs and rodents, it is very important to keep the rodent population to a minimum. This can be done by cleaning up all possible food sources for rodents. Keep all vegetation closely mowed, and remove all brush piles, rocks and debris lying close to the ground.
Trapping is another method in snake control. Dr. T's® Snake Guard Snake Trap is specially formulated with strategically placed glue inside a rectangular box that is 18" wide, 30" long and 3" high. An alternative to the Snake Guard Snake Trap is creating a funnel trap with a drift fence.
Excluding a snake away from the home can be done through checking doors, windows, water pipes, and electrical service entrances and sealing all possible entry ways with mortar or mesh. Some homeowners have constructed snake proof fences. For more information on constructing a snake proof fence, we suggest the U. S. Fish and Wildlife services web site.
Fall is an important time of year to apply snake repellent and to trap. Snakes are choosing their home for the winter. Because snakes are territorial, when the snake has offspring they will stay in the area and cause an infestation.
Snakes are most active late spring and summer. They are drawn to warmth and darkness. |
