How to Deal with Snakes found in the Home or Garden

Finding snakes in your home or garden is for some people a common occurrence. However snakes aren't always welcome due to the fact that they can be dangerous, particularly to pets or children. Also many people tend to be scared of snakes, and don't want to be around them. Fortunately there are several easy ways of removing a snake from your residence.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Sack
• Car
• Forked Stick

Instructions

1. 

   First of all after finding a snake you should remove all pets and children from the area. Whether this is inside or out in the yard, making sure that there aren't any distractions is essential. Also some pets might attack the snake and of course children are more susceptible to being bitten.

   As a side note, cats are often very adept at hunting and killing snakes, as they are quick enough to avoid a snakes lunges, similar to a mongoose. So if you arrive late on the scene, don't be surprised if your cat has killed and devoured the serpent.

2. The next step is to try to identify the snake in question, which generally speaking shouldn't be too difficult. Most people tend to be familiar with the snakes that they commonly find in their area, and some snakes have a giveaway, such as the rattlesnake and its rattle. If you know that the snake is harmless, then move to step 4. If the snake is dangerous and shouldn't be approached, them move to step 3.

3. Contact your local dangerous animal controller, and have them remove the dangerous snake for you. These people are trained for this kind of activity and so are at much less risk of being bitten. Your local animal handler or pest controller can be reached by searching telephone directories of the internet.

4. 

   If the snake is harmless, but you still want it removed, then the next step is to find a forked stick. Make sure that the stick is fairly long on one end and that the forks are short enough to pin a snake to the ground. Also select a sack of some kind (hessian or rope are best) and put on some thick gardening gloves just in case.

5. Next approach the snake carefully, and pin its head down using the stick. If you need extra length on the stick then tie it to something longer such as a broom handle. Next grab the snake by the back of the head, making sure to grip it from below and above to stop it from turning or opening its mouth.

6. Having secured the snake, feed it into the sack, tail first. When you have the head inside the sack, withdraw quickly and pull the sack closed. For extra security you can also put the sack inside a fish tank or box if the snake is thrashing around a lot.

7. 

   Lastly drive the snake to a secluded location and release it into the wild. To do this lay the sack out and untie the end, allowing the snake to slither out by itself. ensure the snake is clear of your immediate area and recover the sack. Good places to release snakes tend to be places that have long grasses and plenty of water, such as wild ponds.

Tips & Warnings

• This technique is better used with biting rather than constricting snakes. Large species of constrictors should either be handled by professionals or shot (laws allowing) if they pose a threat.