Here, we’ll discuss getting copperhead snakes out of your yard.
Although people have varying reactions to snakes, most have a morbid fear which may or may not be rational. Now snakes are well known for their venomous bites, which can be fatal.
However, venom levels differ from one snake species to the next. Whatever the case is, people are mostly scared of being around snakes.
How to Get Rid of Copperheads
Copperhead snakes are one of several species you might find around your yard or home. Getting rid of these reptiles becomes necessary to prevent an encounter that could result in bites.
Now snakes don’t go out of their way to attack humans. They only do so when they feel threatened.
Are Copperheads Dangerous?
Compared to highly venomous snakes like the Western Australian tiger snake, black tiger snake, black mamba, black-banded sea krait, coastal taipan, and yellow-bellied sea snake, amongst others. Copperheads tend to be the least venomous.
Now, it’s essential to understand that being the least venomous doesn’t translate to such snakes being harmless.
A great deal of harm can be inflicted when bitten by copperhead snakes. Bites naturally come with the injection of venom that rapidly breaks down or destroys blood cells.
This leads to excruciating pain followed by tissue death that can lead to complications, including bone death.
No one will want to deliberately expose themselves to such harm unless it’s done in an experimental setting with snake anti-venom nearby.
What Attracts Copperhead Snakes?
The first step towards finding a solution to copperhead presence is determining what attracts them. This is especially true for areas prone to copperhead presence or activity.
Like most snake species, copperheads are attracted by sources of moisture, as well as areas with a high rodent and bird population.
You’re also likely to experience a snake problem when you form the habit of leaving out cat and dog food—these lure in rodents and birds, which in turn attract copperheads.
Cool and damp places also attract copperheads. What more? The presence of tall grasses and plants around your yard is another incentive.
Free access to your yard is another incentive for snakes to be around. The same applies to composting near home. So, to keep copperheads at bay, you’ll need to address each of these attractions.
Doing so makes your surroundings less conducive for these reptiles.
Another way is to make use of natural snake repellents.
How to Keep Copperheads Away
When it comes to snake control, it’s necessary to be extra cautious to ensure you don’t put yourself or your family in harm’s way while performing the treatment.
Many practical strategies involve removing and preventing snake presence within your yard or home.
One of the comprehensive ways to get rid of copperhead snakes involves calling wildlife control. This mainly applies to situations where copperheads are sighted.
Other strategies include finding out what attracts them to address or eliminate such favorable conditions.
Consider growing snake-repellent plants around your yard as a preventive measure. Although some natural predators won’t be worth having around, it’s good to have some knowledge of these still.
Snake traps, yard maintenance, and effective rodent control can keep copperheads at bay.
i. Calling Wildlife Control
Copperheads can be dangerous to get rid of without the right expertise. It’s usually not advisable to kill such snakes as doing so can be illegal depending on where you live.
Your best bet here will be to call professional wildlife control. Such services deal with all kinds of situations involving wildlife.
They also offer pest control services. Here, trained technicians handle copperhead removal. They’re not only qualified but skilled and experienced in handling all kinds of snakes and wildlife.
Your yard is thoroughly inspected to identify the number of copperheads and possible hiding spots.
ii. Copperhead Snake Repellent Plants
Preventive action is needed at all times to keep these reptiles at bay. This helps limit future reoccurrence of copperheads taking up residence in your yard.
Several plants have been found to possess snake repellent properties. Examples include marigold as well as the West Indian lemongrass.
Other snake repellent plants include garlic & onion, snake plant, society garlic, mugwort, king of bitters, Indian snakeroot, and clove basil.
Tobacco, kaffir-limes, cactus, jimsonweed, skunk cabbage, and wormwood are other plants you can deploy for snake prevention.
iii. Natural Predators
Because copperheads are pretty sizeable, not many predators are known. While that is true, there are those known to prey on snakes like this.
These include bullfrogs, broad-winged and red-tailed hawks, alligators, feral cats, American crowns, horned owls, coyotes, and opossums.
While these are some copperhead snake predators, relying on them is almost impractical as some are considered dangerous.
Relating to these predators won’t be advisable as they offer little to no solution to your snake problems. You’ll need to find more effective strategies.
iv. Yard Maintenance
Yard maintenance is an essential part of keeping copperheads at bay.
First, it’s necessary to ensure no free access to your yard. Next, avoid composting near your home. This helps get rid of the conditions suitable for copperhead presence.
Are there tall grasses and shrubs growing around your home? You’ll need to trim these to eliminate the required vital cover by snakes like copperheads to hide.
Yard maintenance also includes clearing fruits from trees that may attract birds and rodents that copperheads target.
v. Effective Rodent Control
A rodent problem in a home may lead to other pests coming around.
We earlier mentioned that rodents are preyed on by copperheads and other snake species. So, you’ll need to adopt a more serious approach to dealing with the problem.
Consider calling for professional rodent control. Rodents can be tricky to deal with as they tend to outmaneuver all kinds of DIY interventions aimed at getting rid of them.
With professional help, these are eliminated and entry holes sealed. You’ll also need to form the habit of taking in pet food indoors to prevent rodents from coming around.
Copperheads can be gotten rid of using any of the strategies outlined above. The sooner you act, the better.