Snakes, facts and information
Watch Your Step! What To Do If You See A Venomous Snake In Georgia
BIBB COUNTY, Ga. - The Bibb County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to watch their steps. As the weather gets warmer, there's a higher chance of seeing a snake.
Animal Enforcement Officer Rebecca Galeazzo was called to a home where a timber rattlesnake was roaming freely in the yard.
The snake was captured and safely returned to the wild, far away from humans.
If you encounter a snake and believe it may be venomous, the best thing to do is back away and leave it alone.
The Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources recommends contacting nuisance control for safe removals.
Here's a list of the non-venomous and venomous snakes known to our region.
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How To Get Rid Of Snakes
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While the vast majority of snakes are completely harmless—and even beneficial—to you and your yard, let's face it: they're not the most pleasant critter to have around. Snakes are long, thin, carnivorous reptiles without limbs. They belong to the suborder Serpentes, and worldwide, there are more than 3,000 different species. Snakes are ectothermic, and unable to regulate their own body temperature. This means they'll search for a warm location to live and tend to their young when it gets cold outside.
Especially in the United States, most snakes are non-venomous. In fact, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, it's estimated that over 90% of the snake species found in the contiguous U.S. Are not poisonous. As such, any advice or guidance you'll find in this article will be geared toward the presence of non-venomous snakes.
Here, we'll discuss everything you need to know about how to get rid of snakes if they've invaded your yard.
How to Identify SnakesIf you're unsure what type of snake you're dealing with in your yard or home, it's best to contact a professional. But for quick reference, we've included the following chart that can help you identify which type of snake you're seeing
Some of the most common non-venomous snakes you'll find slithering around your yard are green snakes, garter snakes, rat snakes and king snakes.
Snakes enjoy many habitats, including swamps, grasslands, forests, deserts and yes, yards. Some can spend time in water while others prefer dry land. If you have snakes in your yard, they've likely found a pleasant spot in which to nest and a source of food as well. Snakes are predators, eating anything from insects to birds and even chicken eggs.
If you have a chicken coop, you could have a snake benefiting from free eggs laying around. The same goes for ponds with fish. Woodpiles and dense brush are other favorite hiding spots for snakes.
What Are the Signs That You Have a Snake Infestation?How do you know if you have snakes commandeering your backyard when you're not paying attention? Here are some of the classic signs of a snake infestation:
Despite their bad reputation for being dangerous and scary, in reality, the vast majority of snakes are neither. They won't damage structures or landscaping like more insidious pests such as rats, roaches and squirrels, and they tend to shy away from any sort of contact with humans.
When it comes to snakes, there are two main concerns to be aware of, and both are minor. According to the CDC, snakes and many other reptiles carry Salmonella in their saliva. While this germ is harmful to humans, it's typically only an issue when cleaning reptile tanks and other surroundings; not as much if you simply have snakes living in your yard.
If you keep chickens or ducks, it's important to note that snakes will happily eat the eggs you're hoping to have for yourself. This can be difficult to identify, since snakes tend to swallow eggs whole, leaving no evidence. You'll simply notice you're suddenly missing eggs that you intended to enjoy for yourself.
How to Prevent Snakes in Your YardAs long as they're non-venomous, snakes can be a beneficial addition to your yard, taking care of insect, rat and mice overpopulation. But many people are afraid of snakes, no matter what type or size. If you're wondering how to get rid of snakes in a yard, here are some things you can try:
If you're wondering how to get rid of snakes in your yard, there are a few things you can do on your own. Assuming you see a snake while you're out working in your yard, and you're sure it's a non-venomous snake, try spraying a garden hose at it to prompt it to move on.
Otherwise, you can soak rags in ammonia and place them around the perimeter of your home in order to repel snakes. Another option is to install a pole that will attract snake predators like owls or hawks in order to scare snakes away.
If you choose to hire a professional to remove snakes from your property, you can expect to pay an average of $150 to remove a snake from your yard. If it's made its way into your home, and it's a non-venomous snake, you might pay closer to $350 to $500.
The removal company will likely work to catch the snake and remove it from your property, rather than killing it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What's the best way to trap a snake?Believe it or not, glue traps are among the most common and effective types of traps for snakes. These traps are boxes that contain bait that's attractive to snakes, and an extremely sticky substance inside, which adheres to the snake once it enters the trap. These inexpensive traps come in different sizes, depending on the size of the snake you're looking to trap, and are considered a humane way to catch snakes.
Once you've caught the snake, simply pour oil over the snake in order to release it from the glue. It goes without saying that this method should ONLY be used on non-venomous snakes.
What smell will keep snakes away?Ammonia. Snakes have an intense dislike for this smell, making it a great method to try if you're wondering how to get rid of snakes. Soak rags in ammonia and place them along the perimeter of your yard or home as a deterrent. Note that this will need to be redone periodically in order to keep the smell strong enough.
What attracts snakes to your house?Food sources are the biggest attractant for snakes. Anything that attracts mice, rats, lizards or insects to your yard or home will, in turn, also attract snakes.
Abandoned Snakes Found At Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Corn snakes are native to North America and the Caribbean
Three corn snakes have been rescued from Glasgow's Botanic Gardens after being dumped by an "irresponsible" member of the public.
The non-venomous snakes were discovered in a Victorian glasshouse at the park in the city's West End.
A sighting on Monday sparked an extensive search by staff before the reptiles were located.
An animal welfare officer from the Scottish SPCA later took them to a rescue centre.
The charity said the snakes were being cared for and were in good health.
It is not known how long the snakes were in the glasshouse before they were discovered.
Staff at the glasshouse were distressed by the discovery
Glasgow City Council said park staff were "distressed" by the discovery.
A spokeswoman said: "An irresponsible individual caused alarm to staff at the Botanic Gardens by dumping three live snakes in one of the glasshouses.
"Luckily we have a member of staff with knowledge and experience with snakes who quickly identified them as non-venomous corn snakes.
"The snakes were quickly captured after an extensive search and the Scottish SPCA was called."
Corn snakes, which are native to North America and the Caribbean, are popular reptile pets.
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