Part1

Assessing the Danger

1
Resist the urge to attack the snake with a broom or stick.A snake won't attack
you unless it feels threatened by you. All snakes, venomous or otherwise, will not
pursue a human being unless provoked.[1] Know that you are a larger predator and
that the snake will keep to itself if you don't bother it.
 If you see that the snake has coiled itself up and opened its mouth wide, then you
know that it sees you as a threat. Step away slowly to avoid any further risk.
 Remember that snakes are positive forces in our ecosystem, controlling rodent and
insect populations. While it's not comforting to see one in your home, you really don't
 want to kill it, as it does control pest populations within your area. Prevent cruelty
against snakes by not acting out in fear.
2.

2
Determine whether or not it is venomous.While your first impulse might be to
scream and run away, it's helpful to get a good look at the snake and quickly
determine how major the risk is. There are methods to discover if a snake is
venomous.[2]Some major qualities of venomous snakes are fat bodies, large fangs,
and slit-like eyes. You'll also want to keep your eyes out for the iconic rattling tail.
 If you think that you may live in an area where one of these species lives, make sure
that you can identify them.[3]Four major species include:
 The Copperhead. A pit viper with a tan and copper coloration. Their bites are very
painful, but rarely fatal.
  The Coral Snake. The most dangerous of the four. They can be recognized by their
red, yellow and black stripes. Know that they can be easily mistaken for the Milk
snake, a harmless beast, because of their very similar colorations. While the colors
are the same, the patterns on the two species differ. The rhymes "Red on Black,
friend of Jack" and "Red on Yellow, kill a fellow" will help you differentiate between
the Milksnake and the Coral Snake, respectively.
 The Cottonmouth. A quick, cranky snake with a brown and olive body. When
threatened, they will stand their ground and flash the light "cotton" lining within their
mouths.
 The Rattlesnake. The most infamous and recognizable snake on this list, the
Rattlesnake has a brown coloration with lighter stripes, as well as its iconic rattling
tail.
 There are also a wide variety of different vipers, cobras, and other venomous snake
breeds. Check your local wildlife brochure to see what may be lingering in your area.
It's best to be familiar with any potential snakes in your area. This way, you'll always
be prepared for the worst.
3.
 3
Clear animals or young children from the area. Regardless of whether or not the
snake is a present risk, you'll want to make sure to reduce any and all potential
dangers.[4]Because of their size, your pets and children are at larger risk than a fully-
grown adult. Their motion is also far more unpredictable, especially with your pets,
and they are more likely to agitate the snake. Calmly move them away from the
danger so that you can safely deal with the snake.
 If you suspect that your pet has been bitten, bring them to your local veterinarian or
call National Animal Poison Control. There may be some redness, swelling, or
bruising on your animal. If so, you should act quickly, as they may be at risk of
further harm or death.

2
Part
 Removing the Snake
1.

1
Create a safe distance between you and the snake. Even if you have the smallest
suspicion that you have a venomous snake on your property, you must avoid
entering its proximity. You might not want to leave the snake completely alone, as it
could travel to another place in your home, but you should not attempt to get close to
it. If the snake is mobile, however, and you worry that your presence might provoke
it, evacuate the area and call Animal Control.
2.
 2
Open the door and guide the snake out with a broom.[5]Only take this risk if
you're certain the snake is not venomous. You shouldn't try to push the snake with
the broom. Simply open the door and attempt guide it out softly. Because the snake's
presence in your home is most likely completely accidental, it might be trying to get
out itself.
3.
 3
Restrict the snake's motion. A heavy blanket or laundry hamper is best for this. If
the snake is agitated, it will calm down soon after being covered. When it can't see
you or its surroundings, the snake will feel less at risk.
 Placing heavy objects around the edge of the blanket will prevent the snake from
slipping out from underneath it and moving elsewhere. This will buy you some time
to deal with it accordingly.
4.
 4
Transport the snake outside. If you're still not positive that the snake isn't
venomous, do not, under any circumstance, attempt to move it. Be sure to wear
some sort of hand protection, either gloves or oven mitts, before handling a snake.
Approach the snake slowly, being careful not to scare it. [6]

 The best way to hold a snake is directly under its belly, near the tail. Inch your hand
underneath its body, keeping a solid, but not overly firm grip. You don't want to injure
the snake by squeezing too hard. Let it slither in your hands a bit, as this will make it
feel more comfortable. Walk it away from your property and release it safely into
nature.
 If you've trapped the snake under a blanket or other cloth material, you can scoop it
up and transport it outside that way. Still be cautious about holding it too tightly,
especially as you can't see its movement.
5.

5
Call Animal Control and ask them to send an expert to collect the snake. The
best solution is to call Wildlife control, it's an especially good solution if you don't
want to handle the snake. They will safely catch and release it far from your property.
6.
 6
Leave the snake alone. If you cannot see the snake, but know that it is hiding in a
dresser or other dark enclosed space, you should not attempt to catch it. Move all
family members away from the immediate area. Because you can't see the snake,
you have no idea if it's venomous. It may also currently be in a state of agitation.
 If you come across a snake outside your property, you should also leave it alone. If
the snake is not venomous, then it is of no real risk to you. It should find its way out
of the yard on its own terms, and it's unlikely that you'll have to worry about its
presence. If the snake is venomous, then you can quickly evacuate the area and get
further removal help.
 Never attempt to kill a snake. Most illegitimate bites happen when people try to kill a
venomous snake.
 3
Part

Preventing Further Risk

1
Stop snakes from entering your home. While having snakes on your property
might be hard to avoid, you definitely don't want them entering your home
again.[7]Snakes like cool and dark places, so you should seal any entrances to your
basement with diameters that are larger than a quarter inch in diameter.
 They also could be entering through loose window frames or door sweeps, so you
can make sure those are securely fastened. Any vents or drains that lead into your
home can be covered with screening, so that the snakes cannot pass through.
2.
 2
Find out why the snake entered your area. If you have birds in your backyard or a
rodent problem in your home, you may be attracting snakes onto your property. It's
often hard, however, to get rid of small mammals who are native to the area,
especially those who are part of your ecosystem.
3.
 3
Remove rats from your property. Snakes love mice and rats. Because our
buildings are made mainly out of timber, rodents often find shelter in the space
between the exterior and interior walls. If you hear scratching noises or find evidence
of mouse trails in your kitchen, get an expert to solve the problem. Remember, no
mice, no snakes!
 Leaving out your pet food can also attract mice which will, in turn, attract snakes.
Cover up your pet food when they aren't eating, or bring the food inside
 A mouse can easily get through a hole the size of a pencil. If there are holes in your
walls, fill them immediately.[8]High-pitched sound devices are now becoming a
popular way to discourage vermin from entering homes; evidence shows some
positive results. Remember, snakes always follow their food source.
4.
 4
Reduce the number of nesting birds in your yard. Whether or not you are
attracting them intentionally, birds inhabiting your yard will attract snakes. Bird
feeders will not only attract birds into your area, but also mice and rats, who will feed
on any fallen seed.[9] While snakes might not be interested in the seed itself, they will
be interested in the animals that feed on it.
 Natural bird repellents are rarely effective, and you don't want to be poisoning any
birds or snakes in your area.[10]If you want to remove birds from your yard, you
should start by filling any vents or holes in your home that might attract them to
roost.
 Bird netting or sticky pads can repel certain species from setting up their nests in
your yard. Scare tactics, such as audio recordings of their species in distress or
 predator decoys, can often be helpful. Just know that you'll have to cycle through a
few options, as birds are intelligent and will adapt.
5.

5
Modify your yard. If you're still having trouble keeping snakes away, you can
prevent snakes from entering your yard by building a snake fence.[11]Take a strong
piece of steel and stick it the ground, flush to your fence. Angle it at 30 degrees, so
the snake won't be able to scale it and enter your yard.
 You might also want to consider trimming your grass or shrubs, as small predators
like snakes love to hide in these shaded, overgrown areas.
 Use mortared rocks instead of freely stacked stones, as snakes will hide within your
rock walls.
 If you're concerned about your children or pets, you can build a small fenced off area
for them to play in, minimizing the risk of them coming across a snake.

Community Q&A
 Question

I found a baby snake in the house, about the size of a worm, and I put it
outside. Now, I am afraid that the mama snake might be in the house too. Is
that likely?
Community Answer

While the mother snake could be there, most snake moms leave their babies the
minute they are all born. However, get a specialist to confirm it.
Not Helpful 6Helpful 53

 Question

How do I determine whether a snake is venomous?

Typically you can determine if a snake is poisonous or not by the shape of their eyes
and heads. Non-venomous snakes typically have round heads and eyes, while
venomous snakes typically have diamond shaped heads and eyes.
Not Helpful 10Helpful 36

 Question

How do I find out the number for animal control? Will they come and deal with
a snake?
Community Answer

You can look in Yellow Pages, or if you have internet access it will show the closest
animal control center near you. They will probably deal with snakes. You could also
call emergency services if your life and safety are threatened.
Not Helpful 6Helpful 25

 Question

If it is harmless, can I just keep it as a pet?

Although it may seem appealing to just keep the snake as a pet, it will most likely be
less docile than one you would find at a pet store. You would also want to keep in
mind the fact that you don't know if it is carrying any diseases or not. Additionally, it
would stress out the snake quite a bit, so it would probably just be better to release it
into the wild.
 Not Helpful 7Helpful 21

 Question

If I found a snake skin in my home, is the snake likely to return?

It's certainly possible, so keep a sharp eye out and be prepared to handle it should
the snake appear.
Not Helpful 4Helpful 15

 Question

Found two baby snakes in house tonight, have no clue where they came from
or how they got in?
Community Answer

Maybe there are small openings in your house that they can get through. Be more
concerned about where mom is. Get a professional in to help.
Not Helpful 19Helpful 35

 Question

What kind of snake is black and shiny with a long tail?

It could be a black racer or possibly a black rat snake.

 Question

What am I supposed to do when I am alone at home?

Try running out of the house immediately. Go to your neighbor's house and ask them
for help. If the snake is near you, then remain calm and still and do not corner it,
otherwise it will most likely attack. Make sure not to scare it in any way! Remember
that the snake is as scared of you as you are of it because it doesn't want to be
trodden on and squashed.
Not Helpful 13Helpful 23

 Question

If I find a snake skin in my house, does that mean there's a snake in my

Yes, it means that a snake was in your house. Try to find it and look carefully. If you
cannot found then it's probably gone.
Not Helpful 9Helpful 16
 Question

I HAVE NO IDEA