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What to Do If You Spot a Snake in Your Home or Garage
Encountering a snake in your home or garage can be a frightening experience. Invasive snakes in Florida are common, it’s important to know what steps to take to stay safe. Whether the snake is harmless or venomous, never attempt to handle it yourself. Instead, stay calm, assess the situation, and just call Hulett for professional snake removal services. Here’s what you need to know if you spot a snake indoors.
Steps to Take When You See a Snake Indoors
The first step is to remain calm. Snakes in the house are not as uncommon as you might think, especially here, where snakes found in South Florida include both venomous and non-venomous species. Here’s what to do:
- Keep Your Distance: If you encounter a snake, do not try to catch it or kill it. Even non-venomous snakes can bite in self-defense, and it’s always best to stay out of harm’s way.
- Contain the Area: If the snake is in a room, close the door to contain it, and keep pets and family members away. You may also want to block any possible exits to prevent the snake from escaping further into the house.
- Identify the Snake: If possible, try to identify the snake, but don’t get too close. If you aren’t sure whether the snake is venomous, it’s safest to assume it could be and call a professional. Snake pest control services can help you with proper identification and removal.
How to Determine If the Snake Is Venomous
Many venomous snakes have triangular or arrowhead-shaped heads and vertical, slit-shaped pupils, whereas non-venomous snakes often have more rounded heads and round pupils. While it’s tempting to try to identify the snake, it’s best not to guess. Venomous snakes such as the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Coral Snake can be dangerous, but even non-venomous species like the Rat Snake can still bite. The safest course of action is to contact a trained professional who can identify the snake and safely remove it from your home.
How Do Snakes Get in the House?
Snakes can sneak into homes through a variety of entry points. If you’ve spotted a snake-infested house, it’s important to understand how snakes are getting inside and how to prevent future encounters.
Common Entry Points for Snakes
- Cracks in the foundation: Snakes are known to slither through small openings or cracks in a home’s foundation or exterior.
- Open doors and windows: If doors or windows are left open, snakes can easily enter.
- Vents and ducts: Snakes may crawl through vent openings or small gaps in air conditioning units, or occasionally, even though plumbing or toilets.
By sealing these entry points, you can reduce the chances of a snake gaining access to your home.
Landscaping Tips to Reduce Snake Encounters
The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior when it comes to snake prevention. Snakes are often attracted to yards with abundant shelter and food sources. Here are some landscaping tips to reduce snake activity around your property:
- Trim tall grass and bushes: Snakes like to hide in tall grass, so keep your lawn and landscape neatly trimmed.
- Remove debris: Rake leaves, move piles of rocks, and remove timber wood piles, and clear away any other debris where snakes may hide.
- Keep rodent populations in check: Snakes are often attracted to homes with snake in the yard because they prey on rodents. Regular pest control can help manage rodents and keep snakes away.
What Attracts Snakes to Your Home or Garage
Several factors can attract snakes to your property. Some of the most common include:
- Rodents: Snakes are opportunistic predators that often follow food sources. If you have a rodent problem, it’s likely that snakes will follow. A routine pest control service can help reduce rodent populations, thereby reducing snake activity.
- Water sources: Standing water or leaks in your garage can draw snakes, as they need moisture to survive.
- Shelter: Dark, secluded areas in your garage, attic, or basement provide an ideal hideout for snakes. Keep these areas secured and neat.
Maintaining a clean, well-kept property with proper pest control can help deter snakes from settling near your home.
Just Call Hulett for Professional Snake Pest Control Services!
If you discover a snake in your home, don’t panic, just call Hulett! Our snake pest control services are designed to safely and effectively handle snake infestations. We provide expert snake removal and offer advice on snake prevention for your home. Our team will also conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify potential entry points and offer customized solutions to keep your home snake-free.
Let Hulett handle your snake pest control needs and keep your property safe with our experienced team and humane removal practices.