Finding a snake in a hole in your yard can be scary. This article will easily explain how to handle this situation safely.
For the short answer: you can get a snake out of a hole by using water to make it uncomfortable, gently tapping the ground around it, or making noise.
Read on to see all these methods explored in more detail.
Why Snakes Hide in Holes
Snakes don’t hide in holes to bother you. They have good reasons for being there.
- They need shelter. Holes provide snakes safety to avoid being attacked or eaten by cats, birds, and other predators. It’s their safe house.
- They are looking for food. Mice and small animals live in holes. The snake might be looking for its next meal.
- They may be trying to stay warm. Snakes cannot create their own body heat as we can. When the temperature drops outside snakes look for a warm place, such as a hole.
- They may be having babies. Some snakes will lay eggs in holes. Others will give birth to live babies in a safe place.
- They may be recovering from eating. After eating a large meal snakes need time to digest it. A clean hole is a perfect place for this.
Knowing why the snake is there is important in deciding the best option for dealing with the snake.
What to Do Before Removing a Snake From a Hole
Seeing a snake can be startling especially if it is near your house or in your yard. But, don’t freak out.
Most snakes are harmless. Many snakes are actually beneficial.
Snakes prey upon rats, mice, frogs, and insects.
Having snakes in your yard encourages pests to stay away and makes your yard and garden more clean and healthy.
So, seeing one snake doesn’t mean “Oh no, a snake.” It may be just passing through or searching for food.
Now think about it. Is the snake bothering anybody? Is it just lying there and doing nothing? Is it away from areas where people and pets hang out?
If the snake is not a threat to you, your children, or your pets it is usually a better decision to leave it alone.
However, if the snake is in your house, in the garage, or near where your children play, then you could do something.
Safety is important. And wanting the snake to leave is acceptable. Just make sure you do it in a safe manner.
Step 1: Make Sure It’s a Snake
Before anything, check that what you are staring at is actually a snake.
Many other things can look like snakes. For example, a long lizard, a large worm, or even a garden hose can all look like snakes, especially from a distance.
Do not get too close; you should not make it feel trapped. Watch it from a safe distance.
Step 2: Do Not Touch the Snake
When you make sure that what you are seeing really is a snake, DO NOT touch it.
Even if the snake looks small or slow, do not try to pick it up, poke it, or hit it. This could scare the snake making it more likely to bite defensively.
Keep a distance of several feet from the snake, and make sure no children come close.
Step 3: Try to Identify the Snake (From a Distance)
If it is safe to do so, please try to identify what species of snake it is.
You do not need to be a snake expert, just take a look at the snake’s color, patterns, shape of head, and size.
If you have your phone with you, take a picture of the snake without getting closer to it.
Once you have a clear view of the snake, search the internet for matches or ask someone knowledgeable about snakes.
If you believe it’s venomous, do not try to move it. Call a trained professional instead.
Decide What to Do Next
Since you have located the snake, it is time to decide what to do.
If the snake is not dangerous and is not close to any areas where people walk or play, it is usually best to leave it alone.
Most snakes will usually go away in a few hours or a few days, especially if there is no food or cover nearby.
If the snake is too close to your house, inside your house, close to where kids play, close to your pets, or is acting oddly or aggressively, you may need to direct it to leave the area.
3 Ways to Get a Snake Out of a Hole
1. Use Water Gently
Using a garden hose, spray the hole lightly with water. Do not aim the spray directly at the snake; that might injure it. Instead, just wet the surrounding area.
The snake will likely decide “This is not very comfortable,” and will find a drier place to stay.
Again, don’t flood the hole. You don’t want the snake to become trapped or injured. Just aim for a light spray, like watering a plant.
2. Gently Tap the Ground
If you can see the snake near the entrance of the hole, you can gently tap on the ground next to it with a long stick.
You want to hit next to the snake (not towards its head), which is similar to knocking on a door when you have arrived.
The snake may want to leave the area and seek out a quieter place.
Be slow and gentle. If the snake looks angry or aggressive, stop and go back to the other ideas.
3. Make Normal Noise
Sometimes, the noise we make during regular activities (like talking or walking in the yard) makes the snake want to move to a quieter place.
While doing yard work, you can talk in a normal speaking voice. Walk around normally, without stomping. Rake leaves.
The vibration of your steps on the ground may encourage the snake to find its peaceful spot elsewhere.
Things to Not Do
- Do not lure the snake out of the hole with food. The food will just draw other animals, like rats, into your yard.
- Do not use glue traps. These traps can injure the snake, or even trap other wildlife.
- Do not pour soap, bleach, or chemicals into the hole. It is going to poison the snake and hurt the environment.
- Do not try digging the snake out. This may put both you and the snake in danger.
- Do not bang something or create loud noises. This t may scare the snake and make it more likely to defend itself.
When Is a Good Time to Call a Professional?
Sometimes, the best thing to do is call someone who knows snakes. If you don’t want to take on a snake yourself, and you don’t know what kind of snake, it is safer to ask for help.
This is simply the best reason to call, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Also, if you see baby snakes or eggs, you should also reach out for expert help. Snakes with eggs may need special care.
If you have tried gentle attempts and waited a number of days for the snake to leave, and it does not, it is time to make a phone call.
Also, consider reaching out for help if there is a hole that is very deep, and hard to reach, or if you simply feel uncomfortable dealing with the issue yourself. This is totally fine, not everyone needs to be a snake expert.
There are people who are trained for this. You might want to try calling animal control in your town, a wildlife rescue group, pet control companies that deal humane ways to deal with pests or a nature center in your area.
Many of these services are either free or low cost and are trained to remove the issue for you safely!
Keep Snakes Away in the Future
Once the snake has left, there are some things you can do to make your yard less attractive to other snakes.
You can start by filling any holes or cracks with dirt or concrete to seal off the spots snakes may want to take cover.
Rule number one is to keep your yard tidy by cutting the grass short, removing wood piles from your home, and ridding the area of brush piles. These changes limit hiding spots, and limited hiding spots limit snakes.
Also, if you have mice and rats, you will have snakes, so control those pests. Use traps that are safe or contact pest control if you need help.
If you are in a rural area or see snakes regularly, consider snake fencing.
Snake fencing is meant to be at least three feet high, and you want it buried into the ground several inches to prevent them from slipping under.
Finally, remove any standing water on your property. Do not leave bowls of water outside, and remember to fix any hoses or pipes that may leak, otherwise you will attract both snakes and the food they follow.
Conclusion
Having snakes in your yard can be frustrating, but you can deal with them safely. It’s normal for people to feel anxious when it comes to snakes.
The main thing to remember is that your uninvited visitor won’t harm you.
Most snakes will just leave on their own if you wait. There’s no issue if you decide to call someone. Take your time and don’t rush.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.