If there is a snake in your yard, basement, or chicken coop, catching it and releasing it somewhere else is an effective and not a cruel way to deal with the situation. You can catch a snake with a specific high-tech trap, or get a cheaper one that uses eggs as bait. Read on to learn how to trap a snake and handle it once it is caught.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using a Trap
Step 1. Identify the snake if you can
If you've already spotted the snake (or snakes) you want to catch, it's wise to recognize the species so you know what you're dealing with. This will help you choose the right trap and decide what forms of protection will be needed once you have captured the reptile. You can hunt poisonous snakes on your own as well, but you should use extreme caution. If there are children and pets around and you are concerned that someone might be bitten, it is a good idea to call in your local animal control center.
- There are four main venomous snakes: rattlesnakes (common in Western countries and identifiable by their rattles), copper head (copper colored and black striped), aquatic moccasins (also called cotton mouth) (easily found in rivers and streams in the southeastern United States) and coral snakes (extremely rare with a very bright color like coral). Rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins are all of the rattlesnake species and share some characteristics: they have the thick body, the triangular head which is larger than their neck, and the vertical pupils instead of round.
- Most snakes that can be encountered in backyards or basements are not poisonous and are completely harmless. Finding a 1.5m milk snake (Lampropeltis) in the basement would certainly be alarming, but it creates no danger to humans or pets. Non-venomous snakes have no rattles and have round pupils. The most common ones that you can find in a home environment are milk snakes, deer snakes, garter snakes, citelli snakes, and wheat snakes.
Step 2. Get a glue trap
This is the most common type of trap used to catch snakes, and it is effective and non-lethal. You can find traps of different sizes, large or small; generally these are boxes that you have to place where you want to catch the snake, and they usually already contain the bait. When the snake crawls into it, it sticks to the glue coating on the base of the trap. Once you have caught the animal, you can take it to a safe area, open the trap and pour some oil over it to detach the snake from the glue to free it.
- You should find such a trap at home and garden supply stores. Make sure you choose one large enough to fit the snake.
- There are several brands of glue traps, but they all work basically the same way. They can be made of heavy cardboard or plastic. Some traps are reusable, while others are disposable. Some allow you to release the snake, while others are designed to allow you to throw the snake away without opening the trap.
Step 3. Try a net trap
This is a good alternative if you have to catch a lot of snakes and don't want to constantly buy glue traps. These are made of wire mesh and are cylindrical in shape, with holes at the ends that do not open from inside the trap. Just put a couple of eggs inside to use as bait. The snake will crawl into it from one of the holes to get the eggs, but will no longer be able to get out.
- The net trap is quite inexpensive and easy to find. You can easily get it from fishing shops.
- The only disadvantage of this trap is that you have to set the bait yourself, and it is a little more difficult to manage with the snake once it is caught, since it can crawl away as soon as you open it. For this reason it is used more often to catch non-poisonous snakes.
Step 4. Place the trap in a strategic place
Whichever trap you use, place it in an area where you've seen snakes before. The most common places are the garden, cellar, attic or chicken coop areas. There is no need to disguise the trap, the important thing is to place it in an area where there are snakes.
- Make sure it is closed tightly when you prepare it. If you are using a glue trap, make sure the latch that closes the box is engaged.
- If you are using a net trap, place it so that the cylinder is resting on its side and place the eggs in the center of the trap.
Step 5. Check the trap often
Once you have captured a snake, you should deal with it as soon as possible. Don't let it die in the trap - it would be both inhumane and unhealthy, since the snake would soon begin to rot. Check the trap every day to see if you have caught anything.
- If you are using a glue trap, you need to open the top of the box to check if there is a snake inside. Be very careful when opening the latch. Eventually you can also lift the trap to feel if it is heavy.
- If you are using a net trap, surely you can see if the snake is there, wrapped around the eggs, patiently waiting to be released.
Part 2 of 3: Facing the Snake
Step 1. Don't try to touch it
If you are really familiar with reptiles and are certain that what you have caught is a garter snake or other non-venomous snake, you can be sure to remain unharmed by touching it. But if you have any doubts about the type of snake you caught, don't take the risk; however, wild snakes don't really like being handled. Gently carry the entire trap into your vehicle and place it in the trunk or other enclosed area so you can transport it safely.
- Don't shake the trap and don't hit the snake. Handle it with care.
- For added safety, keep small children and pets away from the trap while you are handling it.
Step 2. Move at least a couple of kilometers away from home
If you release the snake too close, it will find its way back into its territory. Release it some distance away if you want it not to find a way back. However, if you've caught the snake indoors and don't mind it living outdoors in the yard, simply release it outside.
Step 3. Go to a sparsely populated natural area
The snake will have a better chance of surviving if it is not disturbed by other people and you release it into a natural area. Go to a protected park or other area with no people living nearby and free the snake. That way it won't go to someone else's garden.
Step 4. Release the snake
It is usually not dangerous; in most cases, the snake will be happy to slip away and leave you alone. But, just in case, wear long pants and gloves. Watch the snake carefully and be ready to get away quickly if it wants to attack. Depending on the type of trap you used, there are two different ways to free the animal:
- If you used a reusable glue trap, unhook the lid of the box and open it. Pour some vegetable oil over the snake's body, making sure to cover the entire area where the glue is attached. The trap is designed so that the snake is able to free itself from the glue once the oil enters between the animal's skin and the bottom of the same. From now on you need to stand some distance from the trap so as not to interfere with the snake when it moves away.
- If you are using a net trap, put on a pair of heavy gloves, as you will need to get a little closer to the snake (even if you still don't have to touch it). Carefully open the two sides of the trap to divide it in half. Leave just enough space for the snake to crawl out. So get out of his way.
Step 5. Kill the snake only as a last resort
All snakes, even poisonous ones, play an important role in their ecosystem and should be released alive if possible. But if the snake is poisonous and you are worried that someone might get hurt, killing it may be the only possible solution.
- If you used a cardboard glue trap, simply put the whole thing in a garbage bag and seal it.
- If you used a net trap, you can put the whole trap under water for a couple of hours before opening it.
Part 3 of 3: Controlling the Snake Population
Step 1. Consider letting non-poisonous snakes roam the area quietly
Although you may be surprised to meet a snake while tending the garden or walking in the courtyard, having a snake around is not necessarily a bad thing. Actually you should be proud of it: the presence of snakes indicates that the ecosystem is healthy. Additionally, reptiles play an important role in keeping other parasites in check, such as mice and rats. So, if a snake doesn't eat your chickens' eggs or doesn't bother you, consider sharing your garden with them rather than trapping them and moving them elsewhere.
- Cervons and citelli snakes are particularly useful. They are as efficient as cats at keeping rodent populations at bay.
- Milk snakes are even better because they eat rattlesnakes. In fact, if you get rid of a milk snake, rattlesnakes are more likely to get closer to your territory and at that point you will have a much more serious problem to deal with.
Step 2. Make your yard less hospitable to snakes
If you don't like their presence, a great way to keep them away is to make your garden less attractive. Snakes love areas that are somewhat neglected and wild, such as tall grass, battered poles, wooden planks, and other sources of shelter. To make the garden less inviting, you can do the following:
- Mow the lawn regularly.
- Eliminate piles of rocks, leaves, bushes, bricks, or anything else a snake can use as a shelter.
- Minimize the rodent population by cleaning the environment of acorns, sealing the garbage pail and eliminating other food sources.
Step 3. Seal the house
If you have found snakes in the attic or basement, look for cracks or holes that may have allowed them access. Make sure the doors and windows are tightly closed around the window frames. Shield the chimney, vents, and any other points that could serve as an entrance for snakes.
Step 4. Try using a repellent
Snake experts seem to agree that most repellents aren't effective, but it might be worth a try if you've run out of other ideas. Try putting any of the following in your garden, chicken coop, or any area there is a snake problem:
- Spray a fox urine solution around the perimeter of your property. Some argue that snakes are discouraged by the smell of urine from their predators. You can find this solution at home improvement and gardening stores.
- Try putting ammonia-soaked rags around the yard. This substance also appears to repel snakes and other animals.
- Put some human hair around the garden. It seems that the smell of the hair keeps them away.
