Snakes

Some Background

Snakes get varying reactions from people depending on independent interactions and opinions formed around these reptiles. The state of Florida is home to almost 50 species of snakes, only 6 of them are venomous:

  • Eastern Coral Snake

  • Southern Copperhead

  • Cottonmouth

  • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

  • Timber Rattlesnake

  • Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake

    *If you believe you or a loved one has been bitten by a venomous snake, seek medical attention immediately

Snakes, like all reptiles, are cold-blooded, basking in the sun and remaining dormant for the majority of colder months. Their diets consist of small rodents, insects, lizards, frogs, birds and other snakes. Ecologically, they are largely beneficial for controlling the rodent population of any given area.

Removal/Control Methods

We remove snakes primarily through three methods; trapping, removing food sources (rodent control), and hand removal. Snakes will typically scurry away from humans, only eliciting defensive responses if they feel threatened or are provoked. The vast majority of snake bites are the result of people attempting to handle snakes improperly.

In many cases, snakes can be easily controlled by controlling the population of mice and rats in an area. Exclusion methods are extremely similar to those used to exclude rodents since entries to homes are often the same that rats and mice use. Snakes will use the same paths as their prey in search of a meal. The Black Rat Snake in the photo above was removed from a kitchen pantry. Removing the mice from the house and a foundation exclusion was an effective solution to snake entry to the home.