Getting rid of copperhead snakes in your yard safely is important because they are venomous. The best and safest ways are often to leave the snake alone if possible or to call experts like professional snake removal services or wildlife removal experts. Trying to remove a copperhead yourself can be dangerous. This guide will help you learn about these snakes, why they might be near your home, and how to keep them away safely.
Image Source: www.solutionsstores.com
Grasping Copperheads
Knowing what a copperhead looks like is the first step. This helps you know if you have one in your yard. Copperhead snake identification is key for safety.
What Copperheads Look Like
Copperheads are medium-sized snakes. They usually grow to be about 2 to 3 feet long. Some can be bigger.
Here are some key things to look for:
- Color and Pattern: They are known for their distinct pattern. It looks like hourglass shapes or Hershey’s Kisses on their back. These patterns are reddish-brown or copper colored. The background color is lighter, often tan or pinkish.
- Head Shape: Copperheads have a broad, somewhat triangular head. This is a common trait for many venomous snake identification.
- Pupils: They have vertical pupils, like a cat’s eye. Most non-venomous snakes have round pupils. However, don’t get too close to check!
- Heat Pits: They have pits between their eyes and nostrils. These pits help them find warm-blooded prey. This is another sign of a pit viper, a type of venomous snake.
- Body Shape: Their body is quite stout or thick for their length.
- Baby Copperheads: Young copperheads look much like adults but are lighter in color. They also have a bright yellow or greenish tip on their tail. They use this tail to lure prey. Baby copperheads are born with venom and can bite.
It’s important to be able to tell a copperhead from other common snakes in yards that are not harmful. Many harmless snakes have similar colors or patterns.
Why Proper Identification Matters
Mistaking a copperhead for a harmless snake is dangerous. Mistaking a harmless snake for a copperhead can cause needless fear. It might also lead to harming a beneficial snake. Knowing the difference helps you react the right way. If you are not sure what kind of snake it is, assume it could be venomous and keep a safe distance. Always treat any unknown snake with caution.
Interpreting Why Copperheads Visit Your Yard
Snakes don’t just appear out of nowhere. They come to your yard for specific reasons. These reasons usually involve finding food, water, and shelter. Keeping copperheads away starts with understanding what attracts them.
Food Sources
Copperheads eat small animals. Their favorite meals include:
- Mice and other small rodents.
- Birds.
- Insects like cicadas and large caterpillars.
- Lizards.
- Frogs and toads.
If your yard has a good supply of these creatures, it’s like a buffet for snakes. Having lots of mice or bugs means more potential snake visitors. This is where yard pest control solutions
can help. Reducing the number of pests that snakes eat makes your yard less appealing to them.
Shelter and Hiding Spots
Snakes need places to hide from predators and the weather. They like cool, damp, dark spots. Your yard can have many perfect hiding places:
- Piles of leaves or grass clippings.
- Stacks of firewood.
- Piles of rocks.
- Areas under porches, decks, or sheds.
- Thick bushes or ground cover plants.
- Mulch beds.
- Under stepping stones or decorative items.
These spots give them shelter. They can rest, digest food, and feel safe here. Removing these hiding spots is a major part of how to snake proof yard.
Water Sources
Snakes need water too. Any standing water can attract them.
- Bird baths.
- Pet water bowls left outside.
- Leaky faucets or hoses.
- Areas with poor drainage that stay wet.
Even small amounts of water can be enough for a snake.
Safe Ways to Deal With a Copperhead
Finding a copperhead in your yard can be scary. Your first thought might be to make it leave right away. But safety is most important. There are right ways and wrong ways to handle this. Focus on safe snake removal methods.
Option 1: Leave It Alone
Often, the safest and easiest thing to do is nothing. If the snake is in a place where it is not a direct threat (like far from doors, paths, or play areas), consider just leaving it alone.
- Snakes are often just passing through. They might be on their way to somewhere else.
- Give it space. Keep pets and children far away from the snake.
- Watch from a distance. See if it moves on its own.
This is the best option if possible. Trying to move or catch a snake can make it feel trapped and scared, which increases the chance of a bite.
Option 2: Gently Encourage it to Move (Use Extreme Caution!)
This method is risky and should only be done if the snake is in a spot where it must be moved right now (like right by your door) and you cannot wait for an expert.
- Use a very long tool. A long broom, shovel, or hoe works best. You need to stay many feet away from the snake.
- Gently nudge the snake. Lightly touch the back half of its body with the tool.
- Guide it towards an exit. Try to gently direct it towards a fence line or wooded area away from your home.
- Do NOT try to pick it up. Never, ever touch the snake with your hands or try to scoop it up.
- Do NOT try to kill it. This is dangerous, often illegal depending on local laws, and increases the risk of being bitten. A cornered snake is more likely to defend itself.
This method requires courage and a steady hand. It’s still much safer to call an expert.
Option 3: Call the Experts
This is often the safest and most recommended approach when you find a copperhead that is too close for comfort.
- Contact Professional Help: Search for professional snake removal services or wildlife removal experts in your area. Many pest control companies or wildlife services offer this.
- Describe the situation: Tell them you have a copperhead and where it is.
- Keep everyone away: While you wait for help, make sure pets and people stay far from the snake.
- Expert Knowledge: These professionals know how to identify venomous snakes correctly. They have the right tools and training to capture and remove the snake safely.
- Relocation: Often, experts will try to catch the snake and release it in a safe, natural area far from homes.
Hiring experts costs money, but it is the safest way to remove a venomous snake from your yard. This is a critical safe snake removal method.
Crafting a Yard Copperheads Avoid
The best way to deal with copperheads is to prevent them from coming into your yard at all. Making your yard less attractive is key to keeping copperheads away. This involves changing your yard to remove the things that attract snakes. This is essentially how to snake proof yard.
Removing Attractants: Clean Up Your Yard
Remember the things that attract snakes? Food, water, and shelter. You can reduce all of these by keeping a clean yard.
- Deal with Wood Piles: Stack firewood neatly on a rack, off the ground if possible. Keep it away from the house.
- Clear Leaf and Grass Clippings: Rake up leaves and grass clippings regularly. Compost them or bag them. Don’t leave large piles sitting around.
- Manage Rock Piles: If you have decorative rock piles, know they can be snake homes. Consider removing them or moving them far from the house.
- Trim Bushes and Hedges: Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed, especially those near the ground. This removes hiding spots and makes it harder for snakes to move unseen. Avoid dense ground cover right next to the house.
- Clean Up Debris: Remove any old lumber, trash, or junk piles from your yard.
- Mow Your Lawn Regularly: Snakes don’t like to cross large open areas where they can be seen. Keeping your grass short makes them feel exposed.
- Fill Holes: Fill in any holes or gaps in the ground, especially under sheds or porches.
- Fix Leaks: Repair leaky outdoor faucets or hoses. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation. Avoid areas of standing water.
These steps reduce the places snakes can hide and feel safe.
Controlling Food Sources: Pest Management
Reducing the number of small animals snakes eat will make your yard less interesting to them. This involves yard pest control solutions.
- Manage Rodents: Keep garbage cans securely closed. Don’t leave pet food outside. Clean up spilled birdseed. If you have a serious rodent problem, consider traps or calling a pest control service.
- Reduce Insects: While you don’t want to get rid of all insects (some are good!), addressing large numbers of pest insects like roaches or crickets can help. Proper lawn care often helps.
- Be Mindful of Bird Feeders: While lovely, bird feeders drop seed that attracts rodents. Clean up spilled seed often.
- Secure Compost Bins: Make sure compost bins are enclosed so they don’t attract rodents.
By reducing the easy meals available, you make your yard less welcoming to hungry snakes.
Building Barriers: Snake-Proofing
You can make it harder for snakes to get into certain areas of your yard or even your home.
- Inspect Your Home’s Foundation: Look for any cracks, holes, or gaps in the foundation, around pipes, or under doors and windows. Seal any openings you find. Even small gaps can let snakes in. Use caulk, expanding foam, or wire mesh.
- Check Doors and Windows: Make sure screens are intact and doors seal tightly. Use door sweeps.
- Consider Snake Fencing: For a garden area or around a patio, you can install a special snake fence. This needs to be:
- Fine mesh (hardware cloth or snake fence mesh).
- Buried several inches into the ground to prevent burrowing under.
- At least 2-3 feet high.
- Angled outwards at the top (optional but helpful) to make climbing over harder.
Snake fencing can be costly and may not be practical for a whole property, but it can protect specific areas.
Using Repellents: Are They Effective?
Many products and home remedies are sold as natural snake repellent for yard or chemical repellents. Do they work?
- Natural Repellents: Things like garlic, onions, sulfur, mothballs, and certain plants (like marigolds or wormwood) are often mentioned.
- Sulfur: Some people believe a band of sulfur around an area repels snakes. It can be irritating to them.
- Mothballs: Often suggested but are generally not effective as snake repellents. They contain harmful chemicals (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) that are bad for pets, children, and the environment. Do NOT use mothballs to repel snakes.
- Plants: The idea is that certain plants have smells snakes dislike. Evidence for this is mostly anecdotal, meaning people say it works, but science doesn’t strongly back it up.
- Commercial Repellents: These usually contain chemicals like naphthalene or sulfur, or sometimes natural oils. Studies on their effectiveness are mixed. Some might have a limited effect in some situations, but they are not a guaranteed solution. They often need to be reapplied often, especially after rain.
Important Note: Most experts agree that changing the habitat (cleaning up the yard) is much more effective than using repellents. Repellents often just make the snake move to a different spot nearby, not leave the area entirely. Some repellents can also be harmful to other wildlife or pets. Focus on removing attractants and building barriers first.
What If a Bite Happens?
Even with taking steps to prevent snakes, a bite can happen. Knowing what to do is very important. Copperhead bites are venomous but are rarely deadly to humans. However, they cause pain, swelling, and tissue damage. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
- Stay Calm: Try to remain as calm as possible.
- Move Away from the Snake: Get to a safe distance so you don’t get bitten again.
- Call for Help Immediately: Call 911 or local emergency services right away. Do not wait.
- Keep the Bite Area Still: Try to keep the part of your body that was bitten still and below the level of your heart if possible.
- Remove Tight Items: Take off any rings, watches, or tight clothing near the bite area. Swelling will happen.
- Do NOT:
- Cut the wound.
- Try to suck out the venom.
- Apply a tourniquet (tying tightly above the bite).
- Apply ice or heat.
- Drink alcohol or caffeine.
- Try to catch or kill the snake to take it with you (doctors don’t usually need the snake for identification, and this is dangerous).
Getting to a hospital quickly is the most important step. Doctors will monitor you and may give you antivenom if needed.
Deciphering Other Snakes in Your Yard
Many harmless snakes live in yards. People often mistake them for copperheads. Knowing the difference reduces fear and protects helpful snakes. Knowing about common snakes in yards is part of being snake-aware.
Copperhead Look-Alikes
Several snakes look a bit like copperheads.
- Eastern Hognose Snake: Can be tan, brown, or gray. Their pattern can look somewhat similar. Key difference: they have a distinct upturned snout (“hog nose”). When threatened, they often flatten their head and neck (like a cobra) and might even play dead. They are harmless.
- Northern Water Snake: These are often brown or reddish-brown with dark bands. Their pattern can sometimes look a little like a copperhead’s hourglass shapes, especially when wet. Key difference: They have round pupils (if you can see them safely), and their head is not as distinctly triangular as a copperhead’s. They are non-venomous but can be aggressive if cornered and may bite.
- Mole Kingsnake / Milk Snake: Some types have reddish or brownish bands on a lighter background. Key difference: Their bands are usually more distinct and go all the way around the body. They have round pupils and narrow heads. They are harmless and actually eat other snakes, including venomous ones sometimes!
Table: Copperhead vs. Common Look-Alikes (General Guide)
Feature | Copperhead | Eastern Hognose Snake | Northern Water Snake | Mole Kingsnake / Milk Snake |
---|---|---|---|---|
Venomous? | Yes | No | No (but can bite if bothered) | No |
Pattern | Red-brown/Copper “hourglass” shapes | Variable; may have similar bands | Dark bands, often look smudged/wet | Red/Brown, Black, Yellow bands/rings |
Head Shape | Broad, somewhat triangular | Upturned snout, head can flatten | Less distinct triangle than copperhead | Narrow, not triangular |
Pupil Shape | Vertical (“cat-eye”) | Round | Round | Round |
Behavior | Often freezes when approached | Plays dead, hisses, flattens head | Often tries to escape, may bite | Generally docile, might rattle tail |
Tail Tip (Young) | Bright yellow or greenish | Not yellow/green | Not yellow/green | Not yellow/green |
Again, if you are not 100% sure, keep a safe distance and assume it could be venomous. Do not get close enough to check pupils.
Knowing about different common snakes in yards can ease your mind. Many snakes are beneficial. They eat pests like rodents. Learning which snakes are harmless helps you feel more comfortable sharing your space with nature.
Pulling It All Together: Your Safety Plan
Dealing with copperheads requires knowledge and caution. Your plan should focus on safety first, then prevention.
- Learn to Identify: Study Copperhead snake identification and general venomous snake identification for your area. Know the key features.
- Assess the Situation: If you see a snake, stay calm. Is it a copperhead? Is it in a dangerous spot?
- Choose Your Action:
- If it’s not a threat, leave it alone. It might leave on its own.
- If it’s a threat and you are not comfortable or able to safely guide it away from a very safe distance, call professional snake removal services or wildlife removal experts. This is the safest choice.
- Never try to catch or kill a copperhead.
- Prevent Future Visits: This is the long-term solution. Implement how to snake proof yard tactics.
- Clean up yard debris (leaves, woodpiles, rocks).
- Control rodents and insects using yard pest control solutions.
- Consider physical barriers like snake fencing in specific areas.
- Don’t rely on repellents alone; focus on habitat changes.
- Know What to Do If Bitten: Call 911 immediately. Stay calm and keep the bite area still.
By being informed and taking steps to make your yard less appealing, you can greatly reduce the chance of encountering a copperhead and know how to react safely if you do.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to common questions about copperheads in yards.
h4 What is the best natural snake repellent?
Many things are suggested as natural snake repellent for yard, like garlic, sulfur, or certain plants. However, scientific proof that these work well is limited. They are often not very effective. The best “natural” method is making your yard unwelcoming by cleaning up hiding spots and food sources, which is much more proven to work.
h4 Will mothballs keep copperheads away?
No, mothballs are not effective for keeping snakes away and are harmful. They contain chemicals that are toxic to people, pets, and wildlife. Do not use mothballs to repel snakes.
h4 Do professional snake removal services kill the snake?
It depends on the service and local laws, but most reputable professional snake removal services or wildlife removal experts aim to safely capture and relocate the snake to a suitable natural area far from homes. Killing snakes is often unnecessary and can be illegal, especially if it’s a protected species (though copperheads usually aren’t protected due to being venomous). Discuss their methods when you call.
h4 Can snakes climb fences?
Some snakes can climb fences, especially those made of mesh or with rough surfaces. Smooth, solid fences are harder for them. Snake fencing, when installed correctly and angled outwards at the top, is designed to be difficult for snakes to climb over.
h4 When are copperheads most active?
Copperheads are most active from spring through fall. They are often more active at night or in the early morning and late evening during hot summer months. They may be seen during the day in cooler weather or after rain. They become inactive during the cold winter months.
h4 Can a copperhead bite underwater?
Yes, copperheads are capable of biting if they are in water. While not primarily aquatic, they can swim and may be found near water sources.
h4 How far can a copperhead strike?
A snake can typically strike about one-third to one-half of its body length. A 3-foot copperhead could strike about 1 to 1.5 feet. It’s important to give them plenty of space – several feet at least.
h4 If I find a baby copperhead, is it less dangerous than an adult?
No, baby copperheads are born with fully functional venom and can inject it when they bite. They are just as dangerous, if not more so, in some ways, as they may not control the amount of venom injected as well as adults. Their bite requires immediate medical attention just like an adult’s.
h4 What attracts snakes to my yard specifically?
Snakes are looking for food, water, and shelter. Common attractants include piles of leaves, wood, or rocks, thick ground cover, water sources (leaks, bird baths), and populations of rodents or large insects that they eat. Reducing these things is key to keeping copperheads away.
h4 Is it true that copperheads smell like cucumbers?
Some people report smelling something like cucumbers when a copperhead is nearby, especially if it’s stressed or threatened. While this smell is sometimes associated with their musk or scent glands, it’s not a reliable way to locate or identify a copperhead. Do not rely on smell for safety.
Dealing with copperheads in your yard requires respect for the animal and a focus on safety. By learning to identify them, understanding what attracts them, and taking smart prevention steps, you can reduce the chance of unwanted encounters. If you do see one, remember that calling a professional is often the safest action for both you and the snake.