How to Get Rid of Pine Snakes
Measuring approximately 6 feet at maturity, the pine snake thrives in the coastal plain states, the southeast and the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Preferring dry mountain ranges and abandoned fields, the non-venomous pine snake sports a yellow, white or light gray body with darker, square-shaped blotches. Their eggs are quite large. In fact, the eggs of the pine snake are bigger than any other U.S. snake. Although they are burrowers and often spend the majority of their time underground, pine snakes may occasionally wander into the backyards of unsuspecting homeowners. Because they hiss, shake their tails and strike without warning, getting rid of pine snakes can become a homeowner's number one priority.
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Things You'll Need
- Clove oil, cinnamon oil or eugenol
- Sodium laurel sulfate
- Water
- Rodent traps
- Cats (optional)
- Garbage can
- Broom
- Animal control (optional)
Instructions
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Repel the pine snake. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, clove oil, cinnamon oil and eugenol effectively repel snakes. Pour 1 percent of either oil into a spray bottle with 1 percent sodium laurel sulfate and 98 percent water. Spray the pine snake's favored locations or the pine snake itself if it gets too close. Continued use will eventually stop the pine snake from coming back.
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Make your property less attractive to the pine snake. Trim weeds, remove woodpiles and other attractive burrowing areas such as gaps in concrete.
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Exterminate rodents. Trapping and removing rodents from the area eliminates the pine snake's food source. If you have cats on the premises, they will reduce the amount of rodents available for pine snakes to eat.
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Capture the pine snake. Lay a garbage can on its side and coax the snake into the can by sweeping it in with a broom. Secure the lid of the can and contact animal control to remove the snake.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are unsure of the identity of the snake, do not attempt to capture it; it could be venomous.
If a venomous snake bites you or anyone else, seek medical help immediately.
Call animal control or a company that specializes in animal removal if the pine snakes continue to inhabit your property. A professional removal agency will remove the pine snake without causing it harm. However, some private removal companies will charge a fee for snake removal.
