How to Get Rid of Water Snakes

The majority of water snakes are nonvenomous, but a few species pose a potential risk and can even prove deadly. All snakes benefit the environment, and you should avoid killing them. Water snakes that are nonvenomous will still bite brutally and attempt to smear feces and musk on any one touching them. You should avoid physical contact with them.

Things You'll Need

• Swimming pool net
• Peacocks
• Guinea hens
• Galvanized steel mesh
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• Caulking
• Screen
• Concrete blocks

Instructions

1. Identify what variety of water snake is inhabiting your yard. If the snake is venomous, call an animal control specialist for safe removal. Most water moccasins and other poisonous snake varieties will retreat, but if cornered, they will strike. Their bite can kill. Never handle a venomous snake.

2. Clean up yard debris and garbage. The majority of water snakes spend time in the water feeding on frogs and fish, but they also come onto land. When they are on land, they look for cover in which to hide. Garbage or debris can make an ideal hiding spot.

3. Remove the fish and frogs from the pond or body of water. Removing the food source will make the water snake seek residence elsewhere.

4. Drain all areas of water under the house, in barns, sheds or other locations. Areas that fill with water during as storm will attract water snakes.

5. Install screens, concrete block barriers or other blocks to prevent snakes from gaining access to areas with water. Use caulking to plug small holes around pipes and other small areas that snakes can easily crawl through. Screw galvanized steel screen around all openings to areas that collect water to help keep water snakes out.

6. Scoop nonvenomous snakes out of ponds with a large pool net. Carry the snakes in the pool net to another location away from the pond. Most snakes will avoid the pond after being scooped out a few times. Snakes do not like confrontations with humans, and they try to avoid them.

Tips & Warnings

• Peacocks and guinea fowl are snake deterrents. Both species of birds will kill snakes and water snakes.

• Call the public safety emergency number immediately if you should sustain a snakebite.

References

• The Farm: Precautions With Snakes
• Pest Control RX.com: Water Moccasins and Cotonmouths: Both Snakes Are Very Bad Dudes
• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Avoiding Water Snakes

Resources

• University of Texas: Biology Department: Water Snakes of the Dallas Fort Worth Area