How To Get Rid Of Snakes: Safe, Humane, and Effective Methods

Removing snakes from your property safely is mostly about making your home and yard unattractive to them and using proven exclusion methods. When snakes are inside a building or you suspect venomous species, professional help is strongly recommended.

Below is a fact‑based guide on how to get rid of snakes, using verifiable recommendations from wildlife and pest‑control authorities.

1. Understand Snake Behavior and Risks

Most snakes are non‑venomous and help control rodents and insects. However, bites from venomous species can be dangerous.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the majority of snakebites occur when people try to handle or kill snakes, and advises keeping a safe distance and contacting professionals for removal, especially for venomous snakes or when the species is unknown (CDC – Venomous snakes).
The University of Florida IFAS Extension emphasizes that snakes usually avoid humans and will escape if given the opportunity, and that habitat modification and exclusion are key to managing human–snake conflicts (UF/IFAS – Dealing with Snakes).

2. Immediate Steps When You See a Snake

2.1. Keep Your Distance

Do not attempt to catch, corner, or kill the snake. Sudden movements and attempts to strike can provoke defensive bites (CDC guidance as above).
Keep children and pets away from the area.

2.2. Identify Safely (If Possible)

Observe from a safe distance only. Features like head shape, color patterns, and presence of a rattle can help, but misidentification is common.
Many university extension services stress that unless you are trained, you should not rely on identification to decide how to respond; instead, treat unknown snakes as potentially venomous and call professionals (UF/IFAS).

2.3. When to Call a Professional

Contact a licensed wildlife control professional or your local animal control if:

The snake is inside your home and you cannot easily confine it to one room.
You suspect it is venomous or cannot safely identify it.
The snake is in a high‑traffic area (e.g., near entrances) and will not leave on its own.

Many state wildlife agencies recommend professional removal for venomous snakes or persistent problems, as capture and relocation can be hazardous and may be regulated.

3. How To Get Rid Of Snakes Outdoors (Non‑Chemical Methods)

The most effective, widely recommended way to get rid of snakes is to remove food, water, and shelter, and to block their entry paths. Multiple extension services and wildlife agencies support this integrated approach.

3.1. Remove Food Sources

Snakes are drawn to areas with abundant prey.

Authoritative sources such as the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension indicate that controlling rodents and other prey can significantly reduce snake presence:

Control rodents (mice, rats) using traps or professional pest control rather than leaving poison baits exposed, which can also harm non‑target wildlife.
Reduce insects and other prey: keep outdoor lights minimized or shielded to reduce insect attraction, which in turn can attract insect‑eating snakes.

3.2. Eliminate Shelter and Hiding Places

Multiple university extension publications agree that habitat modification is one of the most effective long‑term strategies:

Trim vegetation: Keep grass short and trim shrubs away from foundations, as tall grass and dense groundcover offer cover for snakes and their prey (UF/IFAS – Dealing with Snakes).
Remove debris: Clear away piles of wood, rocks, boards, metal, and other clutter where snakes can hide.
Store firewood properly: Keep stacks off the ground and away from the house.
Limit mulch depth: Deep mulch provides cool, moist hiding places. Use thinner layers where snakes are a concern.

3.3. Remove Standing Water

Snakes often seek moisture and prey near water.

Fix leaky outdoor faucets and irrigation lines.
Eliminate standing water in containers or low spots where feasible.
Maintain ponds so they don’t become overgrown with vegetation that provides hiding spots for both snakes and prey.

4. Physical Exclusion: Keeping Snakes Out

Exclusion is a central recommendation in many extension and wildlife‑management guides for preventing both indoor and outdoor snake problems.

4.1. Seal Your Home

According to guidance from multiple university extensions, you can reduce the risk of snakes entering buildings by:

Sealing cracks and gaps in foundations, walls, and around utility lines with appropriate sealants.
Installing door sweeps and ensuring weatherstripping is intact so there are no gaps under exterior doors.
Repairing or replacing damaged screens on windows, vents, and crawlspace openings.

Snakes can exploit small openings, so thorough inspection is important.

4.2. Snake‑Proof Fencing (Where Appropriate)

Some wildlife agencies describe the use of fine‑mesh fencing to exclude snakes from particularly sensitive areas (e.g., play yards, small gardens):

Typically, fencing recommendations include:
- Galvanized hardware cloth with small mesh.
- Burying the bottom edge a few inches into the ground.
- Angling the fence outward at the top to discourage climbing.

Local regulations and practicality vary, so consult local wildlife or extension services for specific fencing advice in your region.

5. Do Snake Repellents Work?

5.1. Commercial Repellents

Many products claim to repel snakes using naphthalene, sulfur, or essential oils. However, university‑based testing has often found inconsistent or limited effectiveness.

For example, extension and wildlife experts frequently stress that habitat modification and exclusion are more reliable than relying on repellent products alone. When used, products should always be applied strictly according to the EPA‑approved label directions to ensure legal and safe use.

5.2. Home Remedies and Myths

Common home remedies—such as using mothballs, lime, or certain plants—are not supported by strong evidence:

Mothballs contain chemicals (often naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) that can be toxic to people, pets, and wildlife when misused, and multiple health and environmental agencies warn against using them outdoors or in ways that are not on the product label.
Wildlife experts generally do not recommend relying on plants or household substances as primary snake control strategies.

6. What To Do If a Snake Is Inside Your House

6.1. Confine the Snake if You Can Do So Safely

If the snake is in a room:

Close interior doors to limit its movement.
Place a towel at the base of the door to block gaps.
Keep everyone away from the room until help arrives.

6.2. Non‑Contact Encouragement to Exit (For Non‑Venomous Snakes)

Some extension publications describe simple, non‑contact methods for non‑venomous snakes:

If the snake is near an exit and calm, you may be able to open an exterior door and gently encourage it to leave by tapping the floor behind it with a long object, keeping a wide distance.
Do not attempt to pick up the snake or use tools to pin it unless you are trained.

6.3. Call Professional Help

Given the risk of misidentification and bites, many authorities, including the CDC, recommend contacting animal control, a licensed wildlife control operator, or local law enforcement for snakes inside buildings, particularly when venomous species are present in your region (CDC snake safety).

7. Legal and Ethical Considerations

In many regions, some snake species are protected by law, and killing or relocating them without permits can be illegal. Wildlife or conservation agencies frequently emphasize checking local regulations before taking lethal action.
Relocation of snakes may not always be effective, as they can attempt to return to their original home range or fail to establish themselves in new territory.

Whenever possible, focus on non‑lethal methods—habitat modification, exclusion, and professional relocation where legally allowed.

8. When You Live in Snake‑Prone Areas

If you are in an area known for venomous snakes (e.g., certain parts of the southern United States or other warm climates), combine the steps above with extra precautions:

Wear closed‑toe shoes and long pants when working in tall grass, woodpiles, or rocky areas—recommendations consistent with CDC guidance on snakebite prevention.
Use a flashlight at night to see where you step and place your hands.
Teach children and visitors never to handle or provoke snakes.

9. Summary: The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Snakes

To get rid of snakes and keep them away:

Do not handle or try to kill them; keep a safe distance.
Remove attractants: control rodents and insects; eliminate standing water.
Remove shelter: trim vegetation, clear debris, manage firewood piles.
Exclude them: seal openings in buildings; use appropriate fencing where needed.
Be cautious with repellents: rely primarily on habitat modification and exclusion.
Call professionals for indoor snakes, suspected venomous species, or recurring problems.

These methods align with recommendations from public‑health and extension authorities such as the CDC’s guidance on venomous snakes and university wildlife‑management resources, and provide a practical, humane approach to getting rid of snakes around your home.

How To Get Rid Of Snakes