Which would you rather have on your property, snakes or rats? The answer is most likely neither, though one does a lot more harm than the other.
If you see a snake in your yard it is not a cause for alarm. A snake will try to flee unless cornered. Make sure you are not blocking the snake’s escape route. Of the forty-six snake species native to Florida, thirty-four are present in South Florida. Only four of those snakes are venomous (the pygmy rattlesnake, the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the water mocassin, and the coral snake).
What Are Other Signs of Snakes in the Yard?
Discovering holes in your yard can be unnerving, as it is often difficult to tell what created it, and if it is still occupied or not. Snakes, for example, tend to move into holes previously dug by rodents or other animals. Being able to identify these holes and determine if they are occupied by snakes is a small but important way to ensure the safety of your family and pets. In this guide, we will delve into the characteristics of snake holes and provide you with actionable advice to handle them effectively.
To identify recent snake activity around a hole, look for fresh snake tracks near the entrance. These tracks often appear as wavy lines in the soil. Another sign is the presence of shed snake skins nearby, as snakes shed their skin periodically, often close to their burrows. Additionally, disturbed or displaced soil around the entrance of the hole can indicate recent snake activity.
Snake Holes on Your House
Snakes are skilled at finding their way into homes, often through small openings that may go unnoticed. Understanding how snakes get inside your house and knowing the typical places for snake entry holes can help you take preventative measures to keep these slithering creatures out.
So, how do snakes manage to infiltrate your home? There are several ways:
- Cracks and gaps: Snakes can squeeze through tiny cracks and gaps in the foundation, walls, or windows of your house. Even the smallest openings can be an invitation for these reptiles.
- Doors and windows: If doors and windows are not properly sealed or have gaps in their frames, snakes can easily slither their way inside.
- Vents and pipes: Snakes are excellent climbers and can make their way into your home through vents or pipes that are not adequately covered or protected.
Now that you have an idea of how snakes gain access to your house, let’s explore the typical places where you might find snake entry holes:
- Foundation: Snakes can enter through gaps in the foundation, especially near utility pipes or areas where the foundation has shifted or cracked.
- Exterior walls: Look for cracks or holes in the exterior walls of your house, particularly around utility openings or damaged siding.
- Attic: Snakes can access your attic through gaps in the eaves, vents, or damaged roof shingles.
- Crawl spaces: Inspect crawl spaces for any openings or gaps that snakes could use as entry points.
Rats in your yard or in your house are a bigger concern. Rats are notoriously invasive, and once they make it inside your home, they will cause all sorts of problems.
Why is a Snake a Sign of Rodent Infestation?
If you see a snake or two consistently hanging around your house, it probably signifies that you have a rat problem. Snakes are drawn toward rodent populations because they present a wonderful feeding opportunity. Rat infestations can contain dozens and dozens of critters, which means several full bellies for a snake.
In this case, the presence of the snakes is a positive thing, because they are helping you eliminate the troublesome pests.
How to Get Rid of Rats
You can’t leave all the work to the snakes – you must also act to eliminate the rodent infestation in your home. After all, you aren’t exactly going to let a couple of snakes inside your house to help you out, since they don’t belong there either. But, once you get rid of your rodent problem, you almost certainly won’t see the snakes in your yard anymore. Get rid of the rats, and you will have solved your critter problem.
That is often easier said than done. Rat infestations are incredibly difficult to fight against because rats are such fast breeders. Even if you manage to capture a few of them in traps, their numbers will still continue to grow. And if you don’t deal with the issue as soon as you discover the rodents in your house, they can do significant damage through their chewing and excrement.
Seeing snakes in your yard and rats in your house? Don’t waste precious time trying to take care of the problem yourself. The longer the infestation lasts, the more damage the rats will do, and the more money you will have to pay for repairs. Instead, call Critter Control® immediately. Our trained technicians will apply their vast knowledge and experience with rodent infestations to your situation. We lead the nation in quality animal control service, so you can be sure that you are in good hands with us. For a free consultation, call us today at 954-467-6067.