Snake FAQs for Gardeners
Snake safety advice every gardener should know.
Gardeners are more likely to encounter snakes than people who do not spend time outdoors reaching and kneeling in vegetation. Also, gardens tend to attract wildlife, so snakes may be in your yard more frequently than people who only grow grass. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while maintaining your backyard sanctuary.
What is the best way to approach a bed where a snake could hide, to encourage the snake to move along before you put your hands inside to weed, trim, etc.?
You should practice the best situational awareness that you can when outdoors. In other words, always be aware of your surroundings. If you live in the range of venomous snakes, it is possible to run across one at any time. It should be noted that most venomous snake “sightings” are cases of mistaken identity. The overwhelming majority of snakes are harmless, and all snakes are important members of the ecosystem.
In particular, gardeners often see ratsnakes, brownsnakes, and earthsnakes in their yard. These are all beneficial and perfectly harmless snakes, but sadly, many people let fear get the best of them and identify these snakes as “baby copperheads,” “ground rattlers,” and other false labels. LIVE Snake Identification and Discussion is always available to provide fast, accurate identification of any snake you see. As to best practices, the gist is never to put your body (hands, feet, knees, etc.) anywhere without visually verifying that the area is safe. Do not rely on folk wisdom you might have heard about copperheads smelling like cucumbers or other tricks, that is not a good way to keep from getting bitten.
Here is my article with more specific tips on what to watch out for when you are outdoors: How NOT to Get Bitten By A Venomous Snake
Should gardeners wear leather boots, etc.?
You’re going to get conflicting answers about this, depending on who you ask. In short, additional layers of thick material may certainly reduce your chance of snakebite, but very few off-the-shelf articles of clothing are truly snakeproof. If you are really concerned, you can purchase special protective gear like this.
Your best protection from snakebite is always your situational awareness, regardless of what you are wearing. So, by all means, wear gloves and boots when outdoors, but do not rely on that for protection. The tips in the article I linked above are the best ways to avoid snakebite.
We have a video of snake safety rules for children and adults in our Facebook group here. I also have a snakebite first aid article here- What To Do (and NOT to do!) If You Are Bitten by a Snake
Do snakes like to burrow/rest under mulch such as pine straw?
Any debris may be a hiding spot, but mulch does not usually present any special heightened risk.
Snakes are secretive animals and often hide in burrows, leaf piles, rock piles, etc. However, venomous snakes are more often seen either when they are out in the open sunning themselves or underneath sturdier cover such as boards, tin, and the like. Snakebites often occur from people either sticking their hands underneath things or when reaching, walking, or kneeling in tall vegetation without looking carefully first. The snake you see is not the threat. You can simply leave that snake alone. The key is to see them before you are close enough to make them feel defensive.
Remember, snakes want to get home safely, just like you. They view the large animal (you) approaching them as a potential threat. The closer you get, the more nervous they become. If you finally reach out towards them (even if you didn’t see them in the weeds) they may understandably think that your intent is to harm them. Pit vipers (rattlesnakes and moccasins) also rely heavily on heat signatures to hunt. If you inadvertently put your warm hand or foot in front of one that has been waiting for a warm-blooded meal to happen along, that may also provoke an instinctive strike.
All of this can be avoided by keeping your wits about you and watching where you are working. Here is one of my videos on making your yard less snake-friendly in an ecologically-sound manner (though gardeners may not be able to do all of these fully).
If a snake gets inside your home, what’s the best way to get it out? Thanks so much!!
This answer depends a bit on whether the snake is harmless or venomous. The main rule that everyone should remember is to never approach a snake that you are not positive is harmless.
First, let me say that if you live in their range, a snake in your house is very likely a harmless ratsnake. Here is an article about them- The Snake in Your Kitchen Isn’t Trying to Hurt You
Harmless snakes can simply be gently picked up and released back outside. Snakes do not have any unique bacterial loads in their mouths or other rumors you may have heard about their bites. Even venomous snakebites rarely require antibiotics.
A bite from a nonvenomous snake is medically akin to a paper cut, and MUCH less dangerous than a bite from a cat or dog. Washing with soap and water is the appropriate remedy if you did receive such a bite. (Immunocompromised persons may wish to see a doctor for any laceration, and it never hurts to be current with your tetanus boosters.) If you are afraid of getting a scratch from their tiny teeth, you can wear gloves for additional protection, particularly if it helps you act more calmly toward the animal.
The main thing is to approach the animal with calm confidence. The more scared you act is the scarier you are to the animal. I rescue snakes from homes all the time and have never been bitten by one. Of course, I am a reptile lover and always tell them I am there to help and that I don’t hurt snakes, but I can’t promise you that part will make a difference.
I simply pick the animal up from underneath (predators typically grasp snakes from above, so lifting from underneath already helps to avoid an instinctive defensive response) and let them wrap around my hand or arm to feel secure (rather than restraining them and making them feel trapped). If they try to move away from my hand, I give them my other hand to move onto. They usually relax after a moment, once they realize I intend them no harm. Also, most snakes don’t like their head being touched, so try to avoid that to be polite.
Homeowners are often amazed that the snake is not biting me, but it is no surprise when you understand these animals. They are not mean or sinister. They bite for the same reasons any other animal does, typically surprise or defense. If you don’t surprise them or scare them, they are just as peaceful as any other critter.
If a snake is in your home and you are not sure whether it is venomous, the best thing may be to call for assistance. There is a group on Facebook of people willing to rescue and relocate snakes called Snake Removal & Relocation Nationwide Network. You can start there, or your local animal control or first responders may be able to help. While you wait for help, keep an eye on the snake’s location. If the snake manages to hide well enough, it may be difficult or impossible for a relocator to find it again.
If you cannot locate someone to help, it may be possible to shoo the snake into a container or back out a doorway. Be careful not to approach the snake more closely than necessary. Snakes can only strike about half of their body length, so stay a few feet away at all times. You can actually purchase tongs on the internet like these that are specifically designed to pick up snakes. Be careful not to grip the snake too tightly, snakes have delicate bones!
If you must try to shoo them into a container, you can use a broom to direct the animal (don’t use it to beat the animal, please!) into something like a kitchen trash can. Something with flat sides works much better than something round, of course. You want something taller than the snake is long so that it doesn’t climb right back out. Once the snake is inside, cover the container if possible, taking care not to expose your hands to a bite. You can then bring the container outside and lay it on its side to let the snake go back about its business.
Please do not move the animal a long distance away. It will not want to repeat the experience it just had and you will probably never see it again, even if you just shoo it out the door. Moving animals is bad for that animal and can be bad for the ecosystem. I recommend moving an animal no farther than line-of-sight or, at most, a quarter-mile away.
Hopefully, these tips help you to be more at ease when working in the yard!
Remember, snakes are important members of our world. They keep pests in check and serve as important food sources for other animals. They are not trying to hurt you. In all fairness, it was us who moved into their territory, so the least we can do is learn to live peaceably with them. Trying to kill a snake only increases your chance of injury. Learning to follow the advice in this article will go a long way to increase your safety and theirs.
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You can also follow our wildlife center on Facebook, join our Snake Identification Group, or download the book that this article came from, A Primer on Reptiles & Amphibians: A Collection of Educational Nature Bulletins, from our website.
