Snakes are, at best, mildly unpleasant to come across in your Columbus yard. Many people are frightened of these slithering creatures, even if they are not venomous. If you find a snake on your property, Critter Control of Columbus can take care of it for you quickly and make sure your property is not attractive to future snakes. Call Critter Control of Columbus today or request an estimate here!

Are Snakes Dangerous?

Out of the 28 species of snakes in Ohio, only 3 should be considered dangerous because of their venom: the eastern massasauga, northern copperhead, and timber rattlesnake. Most snakes people encounter are harmless or even considered beneficial because of their penchant for eating other common pests (like insects and amphibians) and small mammals (like rodents). However, some snakes are venomous and put both humans and household pets in danger simply by being present.

Because there are 28 species of snakes found in Ohio, it is difficult to make any generalizations regarding the type of snake you might come across in day-to-day life. You should, however, be able to identify the characteristics of our venomous snakes.

Eastern Massasauga:

  • Medium-sized (20–30 inches), dark-colored rattlesnake with 29–50 dark dorsal blotches on its gray or brownish-gray body
  • Triangular head and elliptical eyes
  • Most distinguishable feature: stubby rattle on end of tail

Northern Copperhead:

  • Has a red, copper-colored head, with rest of its body shaded differently
  • Body is pinkish to gray-brown with a dark chestnut-colored hourglass-shaped pattern on the body
  • Usually 2–3 feet long

Timber Rattlesnake:

  • May attain a length in excess of six feet, but average is three to four feet
  • Two basic color phases: 
    • Yellow phase has a series of dark brown or black chevron-shaped crossbands on a ground color of brownish-yellow
    • Black phase has the crossbands on a ground color of blackish-brown

Habitat

  • Snakes are cold-blooded creatures that need consistent sunlight in order to regulate their internal temperatures.
  • As such, areas that experience extreme cold are uninhabitable.
  • Favored snake habitats include:
    • Deserts
    • Rocky terrain
    • Forested regions
    • Prairies
    • Near ponds
    • Around streams
    • In close proximity to lakes

Snake Problems

Entry

Are snakes known to enter homes or yards?

  • When shelter and sources of food are scarce in their natural habitat, snakes will enter homes and yards much more frequently.
  • They can invade houses through cracks in building foundations, tears in window and door screens, and even through holes that serve electrical conduits and plumbing.
  • Tall grasses in unkempt lawns provide snakes with ideal hiding and hunting grounds while stacks of firewood, brush, and junk piles offer the reptiles suitable shelter.

Damage

Do snakes harm people or property?

  • Most snakes are relatively harmless and actually flee from human interaction.
  • When cornered, snakes hiss, coil, and either strike or bluff at offending parties.
  • Though this can be frightening to experience, especially for young children and curious pets, no harm is typically caused.
  • Non-venomous snake bites are painful, but leave no lasting effects.
  • In areas where venomous snakes live, approaching the reptiles is much more dangerous. Their bites can prove deadly if not treated immediately and properly.

Snake Control

Various methods of exclusion help reduce the possibility of encountering snakes in residential zones.

  • Seal any holes on the exterior of buildings large enough for snakes to get through.
  • Cut back tall grasses and weeds and keep wood piles far enough away from homes to eliminate hiding places.
  • In addition, property owners can make modifications to eliminate prey species that attract snakes to the area.

Even though certain species of snakes are not venomous, all snakes have the capacity to harm both humans and domestic animals. They strike when cornered, which makes attempts to trap them dangerous. Critter Control wildlife specialists can safely and humanely remove problematic snakes from properties. Our professionals are trained, equipped, and ready to keep members of the public safe by eliminating pestilential snakes.

We can help you get rid of snake problems. Call today.

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Snakes
Snakes in your home, garden or rock piles? Those slithering serpents are probably harmless. Critter Control can help you deal with snakes in a humane and rational way. If you see a snake and are concerned, call Critter Control and our trained technicians can oftentimes catch the snake if it is still there.
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