What to do about a nuisance wild reptile.

Sometimes reptiles, usually snakes, will find their way into or near your home. In most cases, the animal is just passing through and will disappear in a short amount of time. Sometimes they decide to stick around a while, and they can even "den" or "nest" on your property.

If you are experiencing a problem with snakes, the best advice is to just leave them alone. Consider this: snakes eat mice, rats, moles, and other pests. They are a free source of rodent control for your home or property. Snakes are an important part of our local ecosystem.

If you absolutely cannot let the snake remain where it is at, you should capture the animal and release it in the nearest suitable uninhabited area (within two miles) from the site found. The best method of dealing with a snake problem is prevention. Many items around your home may potentially attract unwanted animals, and removing these items will deter snakes and their prey from wanting to stay. Junk piles, dead grass, mulch and compost heaps, wood piles, heavy brush, rock walls, creek beds, low bushes around a home, and many other sources of shelter make a nice cozy place for snakes and their prey to hide.

If you have a snake in your home, the animal can usually be coaxed towards an exit by GENTLY using a broom. If this proves inadequate, the animal can be picked up using a golf club, hook, garden tool, or noose made out of a thick rope or other strong material. The snake can be placed in a pillowcase or cloth bag, sturdy plastic container or box with air holes, garbage can, etc. Take the snake to the closest undeveloped area away from other nearby residences.

If the snake is suspected of being a venomous species, call for professional assistance before attempting to handle the animal yourself. While poisonous snakebites are extremely rare and unlikely, they are possible. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CATCH THE ANIMAL IF YOU SUSPECT IT MAY BE POISONOUS.