How To Lure A Snake Out Of Hiding (Best Way To Remove Snakes)

Snakes don’t want to hurt us.

They actually try to avoid humans at all costs. But don’t tell their reputation.

For time immemorial snakes have been portrayed as evil and deceptive. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

They have no desire to harm or deceive us. They don’t care about us at all.

But they play an integral role in the ecosystem and are vital for the entire circle of life.

They also help us out by eating many animals we consider pests, like rodents and even ticks.

So if you find yourself with a snake on your property, please do not kill it. We’ll tell you how to lure it out of hiding and remove it without doing it harm. Because it is certainly not trying to do you harm. It is hiding, because it is scared.

 

How To Lure A Snake Out Of Hiding

Before we get to the actual methods for catching and removing a snake, it is helpful to think about the reason why the snake is in your car or on your property, and hiding, or perhaps acting aggressively.

 

Most Snakes Are Just Defending Themselves

Generally, snakes are non-aggressive, even the venomous ones, and if disturbed, they try to escape. If escape is impossible they bring out all their show-of-force tactics to warn us off. They:

• rattle their tails
• hiss
• spread their hoods
• curl up into a ball
• release a foul-smelling odor
• bite out of desperation
• play dead (some species, like the hognose snake)

The movements of snakes have been shrouded in misunderstanding for centuries. But thanks to the popularity of TV programs such as ‘Snakes in the City’, people are being educated about the value of snakes and that it is best to not harm them.

When snakes display aggressive behavior, it is not because they want to be aggressive toward us. It is because they are scared for their life and are trying to get us to leave them alone. Even when they bite, they do it out of fear, not malice.

Many herpetologists have been bitten by highly poisonous snakes, but they bear these slithery serpents no ill will, because they know the reason the snake bit them.

Hopefully more and more people will come to understand snakes better and we can forget about all the misinformation once and for all.

 

Only Education Can Change Mindsets Towards Snakes

Very few people like to know that there is a snake in or near their home. When a snake moves into their home or garden, it doesn’t matter what species it is. The snake has to go, even if it means killing it.

It is only education that can change the way people think and act around these animals.

For starters, the best way to keep snakes away from your home and garden is to try and eliminate what they’re looking for. And that is generally a warm place to hide and/or food. Some people love to live in clutter and they’ve got piles of junk lying around their yards and inside their homes.

All the clutter makes for great hiding spots and attracts not only snakes, but mice and rats too. Keep you yard and home tidy and you’ll greatly reduce the chance of encountering a snake on your property. It is a great natural method for repelling snakes.

You can also keep them away by using a repellent. It is best to use a humane one, like these solar powered stakes that use ultrasonic frequencies to keep snakes away (it doesn’t bother dogs at all), rather than a toxic repellent.

Every one of our choices for best snake repellent is also non-toxic. And they work. Many snake repellents do not work as advertised.

You could also use a snake fence. What is a snake fence? It is fencing (usually wire mesh) designed to prevent snakes from passing through. It works best when used in conjunction with existing structures, like walls, fences, a chicken coop (the most common use), etc.

If you do find a snake and you suspect it is harmless, you can safely capture it with a snake trap and relocate it to a safe habitat. The key when catching and trapping snakes is to do it humanely.

 

Removing Snakes From Your Property

There are basically two options when it comes to luring snakes out of hiding and removing them: doing it yourself with the best snake trap you can find, or hiring a professional.

 

Hire A Professional

Hiring a professional snake expert and catcher is as simple as checking the Internet for a reputable company in your area. These people do it professionally and skillfully without hurting the snake.

 

Venomous Snakes Require A Snake Expert

It can be hard to think clearly when you see a snake on your doorstep, but if possible, try to get a good look at it. If you’re able to identify it, and it is highly poisonous, you should call a snake expert to remove it.

However, if you know it is just a non-venomous garden snake it can be as easy as using snake traps that do not harm the snake. You don’t have to do anything to change the snake traps, like camouflaging them for example, as they are ready to use as-is, by following the simple instructions.

 

Use A Snake Trap

There are a number of options when it comes to snake traps. The best option, according to many snake lovers, is to go with the cage style minnow trap.

The cheapest option is usually the glue board in a box type trap, but these are generally regarded as an inhumane way to trap snakes. Then again, there are those who have used these traps and who swear they are actually the most humane.

 

Glue Traps

These glue traps come in small or large sizes. You place bait inside the trap. When the snake slithers in, it gets stuck to the glue lining the floor of the trap.

When you take the snake trap out into the wilds to release it, you pour non-toxic oil over the snake, allowing it to become unstuck and glide away. In theory. Usually, this is much easier said than done with glue traps.

These snake traps can be ordered online and you can choose from a number of different glue trap brands. They all work pretty much the same way. Some of the traps are reusable, while others can only be used once.

 

Minnow Traps

Minnow traps are a worthwhile alternative if you don’t want to always buy new glue inserts for a glue trap. These traps for minnows are made of wire meshing and are mostly cylindrical in shape.

You simply put some eggs inside to use as bait. The snake is then lured in through one of the holes on either end to get the eggs. Because of the wire mesh nature of these traps, they are only suitable for non-venomous snakes.

 

Check The Snake Traps Regularly

Whichever trap you decide to use, set it up in an area where you’ve spotted the snakes. This might be in a certain area in the garden, in a cluttered area such as a store-room or in the basement.

Whatever you do, don’t forget about the traps after setting them. You want to check on them often. If there is a snake inside the trap, you want to humanely deal with it as quickly as possible and not allow it to die in the trap.

In fact, the trap should be checked every day, so that any snake inside the trap can be released into the wild uninjured, as soon as possible.

 

Buying A Snake Trap

Snake traps are simple. There are a number of different brands, so you have plenty of options. Quality traps are:

• made with robust materials
• weather-proof
• made by professional snake removers
• free-standing
• able to be used indoors or outside
• kid and pet-friendly
• able to be used day or night

They’re also incredibly easy to rig up. The best part about the traps is that they don’t kill the snakes. They allow you to remove the snakes effectively and humanely.

 

CG Snake Trap

This snake trap has a tunnel shaped design. The narrow design means you can place it in confined places. This large 40” trap-chamber comes with 2 sliding adhesive liners to capture the snakes.

It’s a re-usable trap and you simply have to replace the adhesive liner. Snakes can be released by applying non-toxic vegetable oil to both liner and snake.

 

Cahaba Snake Trap (With 3 Catch Inserts)

This reusable, environmentally friendly snake catcher is very effective for using indoors or out. The multi-use trap is pet-friendly and the catch inserts can be re-ordered.

In addition to snakes, it is also useful for catching mice and spiders. The water-resistant trap measures roughly 18 by 10 inches.

 

Harris Supersized Snake Glue Trap

This extra strength glue trap will trap a snake on contact with its large surface area. It’s a multi-purpose trap and will also catch rodents and insects.

It is non-toxic and can safely be used in schools, homes or businesses. Snakes can be released back into the wild unharmed.

 

Frabill Minnow Trap

This 8 x 8 x 18 inch minnow trap is also used to trap snakes. It is made with heavy-duty vinyl dipped steel mesh and is ideal for capturing snakes from 2 to 4 feet in length.

It has a funnel type entrance allowing snakes to enter but not to escape. Snake lures or bait help the snakes to find the trap quicker. This particular trap is best used outside.

When dealing with snakes in the house or the garden, remember that they have no wish to encounter you on their travels. If they are startled, they try to hide out under furniture, under beds or into a dark crevice until they are removed.

These traps help with that, but should only be used if you are sure you have a non-venomous snake. Even if you are sure, make sure to identify the snake again, after it has been caught in the trap.

Even if you were targeting a non-venomous snake, a venomous one could have entered the trap. If that is the case, do not try and handle the trap yourself, unless you have experience handling poisonous snakes. Call a professional.

 

Protect Your Property

Once the snakes are trapped and removed from your property, you’ll want to introduce some practical ways to protect your property from snakes, especially ones that are venomous. Keep your lawns short, avoid rooms full of clutter and seal all cracks in your home.

You also want to restrict access to the roof, via trellises, drain pipes or tree branches. Snakes can enter the ventilation system and through it, pop out of a shower drain. It’s not a common occurrence, though. read “Can Snakes Come Up Through Shower Drains?” for more.

 

Luring Snakes Out Of Hiding: Final Thoughts

If you do end up with a snake, you can take control of the snake situation in your home or garden with a snake trap. It will lure the snake out of hiding and catch it humanely.

Yes, you can always hire an expert who can remove a snake with snake tongs, but if there is no such expert in your area, or you do not want to take on the expense, snake traps can be an effective alternative. But only for non-venomous snakes.

The traps are designed to trap the snakes for a while so that they can be relocated to safety where they can continue their important role in nature and our lives. You and mother nature both win.