How to prevent snakes
There are hundreds of species of snakes in the United States, and most are entirely harmless. Therefore, most properties will have a snake infestation at some point. Usually, these do not even need dealing with. Snakes feed on insects and rodents, so ironically, they are fantastic natural pest controllers. However, a minority of snake species are venomous, and some have the potential to be deadly. Therefore, it is a matter of safety to try and prevent snake infestations as much as possible. Especially dangerous are snake infestations within the house and basement, so we will look at that too.
Regularly care for your lawn
If snakes are a known problem in your area, lawn care can dramatically reduce the chances of one living in your backyard. Snakes thrive in long grass, so regular mowing will help. However, whilst mowing, keep an eye out for snakes, as they will see your lawnmower as a threat and may attack. Rock formations and other exposed areas are also frequented by snakes. As the creatures are cold-blooded, to operate they require sunlight, and to access it they must sunbathe. Therefore, for those with a watchful eye, it should not be too difficult to find rogue snakes.
Consider glue traps
Glue traps are an ingenious, safe, and humane way to trap and remove any snakes that may have found their way into your home. You can purchase scents, such as meat, to attach to your glue trap to lure snakes in.
The snake follows the scent and is trapped by the glue in the trap. You can then remove the snake and release it back into the wild. There are some downsides, however. If your scented trap is too alluring, the trap could have the opposite effect to what is desired, with more and more snakes trying to get into the house to reach the smell. Naturally, these traps also have to be checked every day. If you forget to check the trap and walk past it unaware it has a snake inside, the already aggravated animal may lash out, with fatal consequences.
Block potential entrances where possible
By nature, snakes are swift and agile. Their smooth, scaly skin allows them to enter tight spaces that look too small for it to be possible. If you have a basement or attic, or other room that has gaps that could accommodate a snake, consider blocking them off. Naturally, some entrances, such as doors, cannot be blocked, but to minimize the risk, cracks and gaps in ceilings should be filled.
Do not leave meat lying around
Snakes are carnivores and go into a state of near hibernation in winter, so constantly are on the lookout for food sources. Meat, raw or cooked, lying around, as well as other foods, are prime targets for snakes and would increase snakes’ desire to enter your property and potentially cause harm. To avoid giving snakes this motivation, put any unused food out of sight, such as in a cupboard.
Consult an expert
Nowadays, there are many wildlife control companies in every county, vying for your services. Therefore, rates are normally very low, and good value for the cost. Whilst they are primarily used for snake removal, wildlife control experts will have dealt with countless other snake instances, so they will know the best ways and tips of the trade to reduce the risk of a snake infestation happening again. Give your local wildlife controllers a call, or invite them over to give you a quote on various snake control devices.
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