How To Kill Snakes Around the House

Along with rats, spiders, and mosquitoes, snakes are some of the most persecuted animal species on the
planet. People fear snakes. But unlike rats, spiders, and mosquitoes, snakes do not breed rapidly. They
can't live just anywhere. Unlike regular vermin, snakes are rare creatures, and they need good habitat to
survive. Many snake species are threatened and endangered. It's amazing that they manage to hang on,
in spite of our urban development, highways, etc. The last thing they need is deliberate killing. Here is
what I've seen people use to kill snakes:

Shovels to cut off head

Shotguns

Snake Poison (no such thing)

Large kitchen knives

Metal rakes

Pets like cats

If you want to kill a snake, there are a variety of methods - the most popular appear to be shooting, or
chopping the head off with a shovel or other garden tool. If you do either of these, you're basically an
ignorant jerk. I know it won't help changing your mind for me to say that, but it's true. Most people
seem to be learning, gaining an understanding that creatures like sharks and snakes are not monsters,
but rare and threatened creatures that are an important part of the ecosystem - that of course homo
sapiens is by far the true killing machine.

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And I apologize if I seem arrogant in the below image. It's just that I like snakes, I know they are
beneficial, and I get so many emails from readers showing harmless snakes killed for no reason. I'm just
hoping people make the right decision. You likely came to this page when researching what kills snakes,
and you want answers, not someone preaching.
Look at the above and below dead snake photographs. Many people send me emails of snakes they've
killed, and which they now want identified. It always goes something like, "we found a snake near our
patio, luckily we were able to kill it, can you tell me what kind of snake it is?". Every time, it's a harmless
and beneficial snake. Not once has someone sent me a photo of a killed venomous snake - mostly
because they're rare.

Again, believe me or not (you probably won't if you're of the redneck ignorant asshole variety), but I
talked to a couple emergency room doctors here in Florida, and they've all seen a few snakebite cases
over the years. Every doctor told me that the bites occurred when people were trying to kill snakes!!!
The irony. In fact, I remember a few years ago when a fireman was killed here in Central Florida by a
rare Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. He shot the snake several times, thought it was dead, went to
pick it up, and the snake reflexively struck him in the hand. Please read my snake safety tips for more
info on how to keep safe around snakes, rather than just trying to kill them. I'd rather not receive any
more dead snake pictures. I've already gotten at least 50 pix of dead snakes, and I get pissed off every
time. Feel free to send me photographs of live snakes, and I'll identify them for you, but I have enough
dead snake images.

How to kill snakes in the house - You shouldn’t have to kill any snakes at any time. Snakes are not
problem animals; they do not purposefully enter a home to live there, and they do not cause damage if
they are inside. Snakes in the home mean that there is a damaged area that needs repair. The snakes, if
they are nonvenomous, are easily handled with snake hooks or a good pair of gloves. Trying to kill the
snake will only serve to aggravate it. Any snake will bite if you annoy it enough. The no-kill rule is
especially important when it comes to venomous snakes in the home. It’s not that venomous snakes
deserve better treatment than other snakes, but venomous snakes have a much more lethal reaction to
harassment. Snake bites in North America from venomous snakes almost always happen when someone
is trying to kill or pick up a poisonous serpent. Do not try to whack the animal on the head with a garden
tool. The moment you swing for the snake it will become alarmed. The reach of the garden tool will be
shorter than the reach of the snake. If the animal strikes, you will be well within range.

Get rid of snakes by killing them - Snakes are a part of the world, and as such, it is impossible to be
completely rid of them unless you fortify yourself inside a solid bubble of protection. The best you can
hope to do is keep your snake interactions at a minimum. For the active homeowner, this is not that big
of a task. The biggest step in to get rid of snakes is to evaluate the appearance of your yard. Snakes may
be predators, but they are also prey for many larger animals. A snake will want to live in a yard that has
tall grass and thick vegetation. This does not mean you have to eliminate all of your designer plants, but
it does mean that you need to make smart choices when planting your garden. Avoid any plants that are
low to the ground or are ground cover. You want to keep any snakes as exposed as possible. Taking
away the animal’s sense of security is part of the battle. Aside from vegetation management, the items
in your yard need to be inspected. Snakes love anything they can wiggle under. Big favorites are rock
walls and patios. Make sure all out buildings are flush to the ground and keep your home’s foundation in
good repair.

Here are some other snake links:

How To Trap Snakes

What Animals Kill Snakes

Color Rhyme for Coral Snakes

How Can You Tell if a Snake is Poisonous

How to Kill Snakes

Snakebite Aftercare

Snake Safety Tips

How to Catch Snakes

How Do You Keep Snakes Away

Do Mothballs Keep Away Snakes

Eastern Coral Snake

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Snakes in the Attic

Snakes in the Basement

Get snakes out of a pool

Photographs of Snake Poop