Controlling Snakes After a Storm or Flood
Snakes often become displaced after a storm or flooding event. As a
result, many of these animals are seeking shelter and food in areas close to
people. These areas, out of the way of high water, include the inside of
homes, storage sheds, barns and other buildings. Damaged structures have a
higher probability of attracting snakes because of the many accessible
entrances. Displaced snakes may be found under debris scattered by the flood
or in debris piles created during the cleanup effort.
Missouri has many more species of nonvenomous snakes than venomous
snakes. Both venomous and nonvenomous snakes are beneficial to people
because they keep down rodent populations. Since rodents also are displaced
by flooding, this is especially important.
Outdoors
Watch where you place your hands and feet when removing or cleaning
debris. If possible, don't place your fingers under debris you intend to
move.
Wear snake-proof boots at least 10 inches high or snake leggings in
heavy debris areas where snakes are likely to be found.
Never step over logs or other obstacles unless you can see the other
side.
If you encounter a snake, step back and allow it to proceed on its way.
Snakes usually do not move fast, and a person easily can retreat from its
path.
Indoors
- Try to isolate the snake within a room or small area.
- Capture nonvenomous snakes by pinning them down with a long stick or
pole, preferably forked at one end, and then remove by scooping them up
with a flat-blade shovel.
- If you are uncomfortable removing the snake yourself, seek someone
in the community who has experience handling snakes. A good starting
point is your local animal control shelter or sheriff's department.
- As a last resort, you may need to kill a venomous snake. Club it
with a long stick, rod or other tool such as a garden hoe. Never try to
kill a vanomous snake with an instrument that brings you within the
snake's striking range -- usually estimated at less than half the total
length of the snake.
- Exclude snakes from your home by sealing openings 1/4-inch and
larger. Check areas such as the corners of doors and windows, around
water pipes and electrical service entrances. Holes in masonry
foundations should be sealed with mortar. Holes in wooden buildings can
be sealed with fine 1/8-inch mesh hardware cloth or sheet metal.
- Make your yard unattractive to snakes by removing debris from around
the home as soon as possible. This attracts rodents that snakes feed on
and also provides shelter for snakes. Vegetation around the home should
be kept closely mowed.
- No legal toxicants or fumigants are registered to control snakes.
Repellents are available but generally are not an effective means for
preventing snakes from entering an area.
- Learn to identify nonpoisonous and poisonous snakes. Information on
snake identification can be obtained from the Missouri Department of
Conservation (
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/herpetol/snake/ )
- If you are bitten by a venomous snake, don't try to treat the bite
yourself. Go to the nearest hospital for treatment immediately. If the
bite breaks the skin, even nonvenomous snakes can cause infections, so
seek medical attention.
(MU Extension publication G9450, Snakes: Information for Missouri
Homeowners
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/wildlife/g09450.htm )
For more information, contact the University of Missouri Extension center
in your county, or call 573-882-7477.
Robert A. Pierce II
PierceR@missouri.edu
Extension fish and wildlife specialist
University of Missouri-Columbia
Content updated
12/12/07
