Snakes

What are snakes?

Snakes are a type of legless reptile with scales covering their long, cylindrical body, which typically tapers at the tail end. They are predators and feed on a wide variety of small animal prey, including rodents. Snakes are eco-important as they help reduce the number of disease-carrying and damaging rodents—snakes can be a gardener’s or farmer’s best friend. Being a predator, they have some physical features that help them hunt and consume their prey more easily: teeth that face inward to trap prey and jaws that can completely unhinge.

Are snakes dangerous?

One of the biggest threats that snake pose for many people is stress. People are afraid of these slithering pests that hide in dark areas of our yards and sometimes our homes. Snakes often frighten people because they are so good at hiding; there is usually no warning before you find yourself facing one.

Depending on their size and species, some snakes can be dangerous to people and pets. In our area, those that have venom are most dangerous to us. If bitten, not only is the bite itself painful, but the toxins in the venom are strong enough to cause health problems in people that require medical attention.

Though there is good news about snakes, most living in our yards and gardens are harmless. However, you should still take care around snakes as any species can deliver painful bites if they feel threatened.

Why do I have a snake problem?

Snakes are cold-blooded, meaning that their temperature is regulated externally; to get warmer, they move into the sun; to get cooler, they move into the shade. The warm temperatures found in Alabama and Florida allow snakes to stay warm and active throughout much of the year.

Snakes will become a problem on any property that provides them with places to hide and plenty of prey to hunt. If you have a lot of rodents or other small animals living on or near your property, you will most likely have snakes around hunting them.

Where will I find snakes?

Snakes are typically an outdoor problem; they live outside in dense vegetation, debris, or clutter that they can hide in. Most snakes living in our area are active during the day, going back to their hiding spots or burrows at night to sleep.

Some of their favorite place to curl up include:

• Ground holes
• Woodpiles
• Rock walls
• Dense shrubbery
• Under logs or fallen trees
• In or between boxes stored in garages and outbuildings
• In vegetation near ponds, rivers, or lakes
• Next to foundations or near pavement or sidewalks

Snakes in our area mainly stay outside, but they sometimes move into homes or garages through gaps in the foundation, vents, spaces under doors, or through open doors. They usually move inside, to find warmer living conditions or while in search of prey.

How do I get rid of snakes?

Having snakes on your Florida or Alabama property is a problem most don’t wish on their worst enemy! At EnSec, we understand how stressful a snake infestation can be and will work quickly to eliminate these legless pests. Our professionals will take the necessary steps to remove them from your yard or home humanely, and we will work with you to prevent future problems with snakes and other pests. For more information about our snake control solutions, reach out to us today, and speak with one of our knowledgeable professionals.

How can I prevent snakes in the future?

Take steps to help prevent snakes from becoming a problem on your Florida or Alabama property using our prevention tips. Below are some of the easiest things you can do to guard your property against snakes.

• Keep your grass cut short; snakes easily hide in tall grass.
• Remove other things that snakes can hide within like woodpiles, brush piles, overgrown shrubbery, and rock piles.
• Maintain gardens, and don’t let them become overgrown.
• Remove bird feeders that attract rodents to your property.
• Keep lids on trash cans to keep rodents and other small animals from being attracted to your property.
• Seal any openings in your foundation or exterior walls.
• Keep outbuildings (sheds and garages) as neat and organized as possible, and the doors shut whenever possible.

Learn about our home pest control and lawn care services.