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Are you bothered by snake tunnels in your Yard? Please sit back and read our guide to identifying and dealing with snake holes in your Yard!
Snake holes are a standard indicator that something scaly is close. Instead of excavating their burrows, snakes frequently use those of smaller rodents such as chipmunks, mice, and prairie dogs. As a result, before taking action, it’s critical to identify whether something other than a furry species is dwelling in the hole.
With so much content available, it can be challenging to go through it all and find what works best for you. We’ve covered whether you’re browsing through your backyard, seeking quick remedies, or consulting FAQs about snake holes in the Yard. Let’s get started and go through the details in the instructions below!
What does Snake Holes Look Like in the Yard?
The first step in dealing with snakes is recognizing snake tunnels in the Yard. Snake holes have circular apertures that vary in dimension and depth depending on the type of snake.
Holes can be discovered buried beneath logs, in the grass, underneath masses of soil, and in any tall-grassy setting.
They’ll look like burrows with a central aperture and an irregular surface around them. While larger holes necessitate immediate inspection, smaller ones may harbor lethal snakes.
I saw this video on YouTube about ten years ago, and I’m still terrified of the music and footage.
If you cannot identify the snake independently, try contacting a professional agency for assistance. The snake in question could be a rare or endangered species as well. So, if it isn’t causing severe and immediate injury, make sure you’ve notified the local animal control division.
Best 3 Ways to Identify Snake Holes
Holes in lawns and backyards can occur for various reasons, but pests frequently cause them. Some of these creatures are just annoying, while others, like snakes, are downright deadly. Below are ways to identify snake holes.
1. Look for Shed Snake Skins
Can you think of any other creatures that shed their skin? No, I don’t believe so. If you notice a shed skin, there is a good possibility that a snake is nearby. It’s a natural procedure for them to shed their skin.
It aids in the natural removal of dead cells and parasites. Snakes perform a variety of tricks and maneuvers during this procedure.
One of those tactics is rubbing themselves against hard surfaces (such as twigs, rocks, or even the ground) to help them peel their skin off.
Your suspicions will be verified if you find the shed skin around the hole (in your backyard). However, lost skin is complicated because it can provide food for rats and insects.
Once shed, it may be digested immediately – and no sign of it is found. So, if you find the shed skin, you get an extra point. But if not, there’s always the next one.
2. Look for Feces
Another item you can watch and see is fecal matter. Snakes are creatures that discharge excrement. The fecal matter is determined by food and residual traces.
Is it tainted with rodents or insects? Is it thick and pasty? Is there white-ish stuff in it (typically at the end)? If the majority of your responses are yes, there is a good likelihood that you have snakes in your Yard.
When you combine the fact that there are snake holes in the Yard with the discovery of fecal matter and shed skin, it is verified that you share a living environment with your slithering companion. However, keep in mind that excrement can degrade. It is biodegradable.
Another way to determine whether the holes in the Yard are snake holes is to examine their surroundings. If the entry is clear of debris, fallen leaves, or spider webs, it is most certainly occupied; it is not vacant or free.
However, if you see a hole covered in spider webs, you can sigh relief. It’s safe to assume that the hole has been empty for some time.
3. Check the Burrows thoroughly.
To begin, determine if any of the holes are filled. It can be challenging to locate a tunnel in the earth at times. As a result, a rodent hole could be misidentified as a snake hole. Although the changes are minor, the size of the hole is the most significant factor to consider. The diameter of the snake is determined by its size.
Second, these tunnels can be found beneath the grass, dunes, tree trunks, and woodpiles. You’re unlikely to see the snakes up close.
However, I strongly advise you to use caution and wear gloves to protect yourself from a potentially poisonous bite. Because snakes are especially sensitive to seismic vibrations, they may detect your presence from a considerable distance.
They tend to be defensive when they are unable to go. Furthermore, pregnant or shedding snakes are angrier and more aggressive.
Best 3 Ways to Get Rid of Snake Holes in YardÂ
Once you’ve confirmed that the burrows in your Yard are home to snakes, you must decide what to do next. I’ve listed four methods for dealing with snake holes in your Yard below:
1. Leave It Untouched
If you stumble along a hole in your Yard that you suspect is a snake hole, the best thing you can do is let it alone. In the United States, only four varieties of venomous snakes dwell on land, and your snake is much more likely to be a harmless garter snake. Snakes are important in ecology because they eat insects, frogs, and pests like mice and rats.
Snakes are notoriously shy creatures who will crawl away if they are scared, leaving you alone. Snakes are a positive feature of any yard, and letting them alone may be the best option until they disturb your pet or you strongly dislike them.
2. Contact an Exterminator
Suppose you are afraid of snakes and find their presence and removal distressing. In that case, a wildlife control or pest-control specialist can visit your residence and examine your choices with you, giving you a variety of remedies.
Glue boards are a time-consuming yet successful method of trapping snakes. Another possibility is trapping, as is the costly snake fence.
Sadly, there is no snake repellant currently on the market. Calling animal control is your best bet if the snakes you’ve seen are giant or if you’re unsure of their kind and are scared they’re venomous.
3. Cover It
If you can’t leave them alone, consider filling the holes in your Yard. Cover these burrows with dirt or muck from your Yard, sand, or burlap-like materials.
Dirt or sand could be more dangerous because they might be burrowed into again and again. Cover these burrows with wire netting or thick jute fabrics to make them very secure.
This will deter the creatures from attempting to rebuild their nest in this manner. Level the ground once you’ve filled in the holes to keep it even.
How do I Determine Whether a Snake Hole Is Occupied or Vacant?
After you’ve determined that you have a snake hole on your land, you’ll undoubtedly want to understand if the snake remains present.
There is no foolproof way to know until you see the snake for yourself. The best policy is to presume that a snake is there and then go to the elimination phase.
The most typical way is to insert a stick or whatever equivalent into the hole and afterward wait to observe what occurs. You’ve located your rattlesnake if it comes out of its hole and hits the stick.
If nothing happens after a few minutes, it’s probably reasonable to believe there isn’t anything presently. It ought to be remembered that snakes can take up to ten minutes or more before striking something put within their holes.
Nonetheless, I would strongly recommend against further sticking stuff down a snake hole unless you’re covered and prepared to leave the area quickly if necessary.
It’s important to remember that snakes could be hibernating when it’s cold outside. During these times, they may be dormant for weeks or even months. Avoiding disrupting their hibernaculum is the recommended line of action (the area where they sleep). This will greatly improve your odds of being bitten if they are there.
Conclusion:
So, what should you do if you suspect you have a snake infestation on your property? Calling a professional exterminator is the best solution. Contact one of our nationwide pest control partners. They will be able to assist in identifying the type of snake and administering the necessary treatment to get rid of it.
If you decide to take care of the snakes yourself, remember that they can be pretty hazardous, so proceed with caution if you attempt to remove them from your property. Stay careful, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you spot a snake hole in your Yard?
Snakes have round openings. They are frequently found embedded in the grass. If a snake lurks in your Yard, you’ll know you’re dealing with a snake hole. Unfortunately, it is impossible to prove the presence of a snake hole in your Yard without witnessing a snake enter or escape the hole.
How do you deal with snake tunnels in your Yard?
Consider your approach to snake holes in your Yard. You don’t want to annoy rattlesnakes. The simplest way to deal with a snake hole in your Yard is to ignore it.
How Large Are Your Yard’s Snake Holes?
The size of snake holes in your Yard will vary depending on the snake’s body characteristics. They will usually never be gigantic, as this would suggest the existence of boas or pythons, as previously stated. They are typical of medium size, slightly larger than rat holes.
In the Yard, where do snakes dig?
Snakes do not excavate in yards. On the other hand, snakes live in tunnels dug by rodents and other small animals. In hidden areas, look for holes near food and water sources. Snakes prefer to conceal themselves in holes in dense plants or bushes.
