'Tis The Season For Snakes!

Snake sightings and what to do. When should you worry? Our experts have the information you need.

Snakes are cold-blooded creatures, so this summer’s high temperatures allows them to be very active. Rain is also another factor that increases snake activity. Snakes are often seen during the day sunbathing and conserving their energy so they can hunt at night. Snakes like to hide under structures such as rocks, concrete slabs, fallen trees, wood piles, and cluttered areas. The main source of food for snakes are rats, mice, birds, frogs, lizards, and bugs, depending on the type of snake.

Below are some tips for homeowners if you encounter a snake on your property and/or in the wild:

What to do if you find a snake:

It’s best to leave a snake alone if you can. They are most likely just looking for a food source and will leave you alone unless they feel threatened. Many snakes are beneficial because they reduce rodent populations. King snakes, for example, feed on venomous snakes in addition to rodents. If you are concerned about a snake sighting near your home, you can always call a licensed professional to come to assess the situation. If you happen to get bitten by a snake try to remain calm and identify the snake as quickly as possible; take a picture with your phone if you can, and seek medical attention immediately.

How to tell if a snake is venomous:

Some tips to help identify if a snake is venomous include looking at the shape of the snake’s pupils or the shape of the snake’s head. When looking at the pupils, check for round pupils for non-venomous snakes and vertical slits for venomous snakes.

When looking at the head, a rounded head with a rounded snout indicates a non-venomous snake; however, a triangular head with a pointed snout indicates a venomous snake. While these eye tests generally give a quick indication to whether a snake is venomous or not, they cannot always be relied on. Different regions of the country are home to different species of snakes that may not be easily identified by these tests. Arrow Exterminators recommends to treat each snake as potentially dangerous and to call a service professional to identify and assess the situation.

How to prevent snakes:

Eliminate areas where snakes can seek shelter such as wood and leaf piles, fallen trees, or debris
Trim back hedges and cut down heavy brush
Seal openings in and around your home and under concrete slabs
Have your home checked regularly for any kind of rodent entry to keep food sources at a minimum
Make sure bird feeders are not too close to your home

How Arrow Exterminators can help:

Arrow Exterminators’ Service Professionals have proper licensing and qualifications that allow them to handle snake issues. Arrow Exterminators’ services include physical removal of snakes as well as repellents to keep snakes away from your home or yard. When caught, snakes are released unharmed to a safe location miles away from your home.

Contact Arrow today if you are concerned about a snake sighting near your home.

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