Some of the most frustrating phone calls I receive are the ones asking for information about how to get rid of snakes. Frustrating not because I cannot provide the callers with all the information available but frustrating because what I tell the caller is not what they want to hear.

My comments in this column are prompted because of the relatively large number of calls I have received during the past several weeks related to snakes. I guess this flurry of calls results from the fact that we have had a rather mild winter, and because it has been unusually dry for this time of the year.

Even with the increased likelihood of seeing snakes around residential areas, this is not an indication that there are more snakes than in past years. Snakes are active this time of the year as they search for mates and food. If a person is outside, there is a greater likelihood that a snake might be seen during this time of the year. Because of the environment we live in, we must accept the fact that even if we live in the city, we may occasionally encounter a snake.

Although most humans "fear" snakes, statistics show that more people are struck by lightning each year than are bitten by snakes. Even so, everyone should be cautious about snakes when outside, just as they would be cautious about lightning during a thunderstorm.

There are many "home remedies" for repelling snakes, but research has proven that none of them are totally effective. Lime, sulfur, moth balls, and other products spread around the home do nothing to deter snakes if they are searching for food or shelter. Commercial products are sold in many stores for snake control, but the fine print in the instructions usually indicates that the product "may" repel snakes and that the user still needs to be cautious. Although animals, such as dogs and cats, in the yard may help warn of the presence of an intruding snake, they are not totally effective at keeping snakes away from residential areas.

The most effective way to reduce the likelihood of having snakes around the house is to make the area as unattractive as possible for them. Remove all materials that may serve as hiding areas, such as junk piles, woodpiles, scrap lumber, grown-up natural areas, et cetera. Keep all areas mowed to reduce hiding areas for snakes and to reduce the number of insects and small critters, such as mice, frogs, and lizards, that snakes may feed on. Maintain a good rat and mouse control program to reduce the snake's food source, and do not leave uneaten pet food outside that may attract mice and rats. And above all, use extra caution anytime you are outside and encourage your family members to do so as well.

Most snakes encountered in this area are not poisonous, but that does not mean that people are any more comfortable when they encounter one. Snakes are actually beneficial, because their main food sources are the things we often see as nuisances around the home, such as mice, rats, lizards, frogs, and insects. In fact, many snakes will feed on other smaller snakes.

The Extension Service has a very good video on snake identification and management. This video is about 12 minutes in length and can be viewed at the Extension Center or may be checked out and viewed at home. In addition, the website, www.enature.com, has an extensive listing of dozens of snakes with pictures and descriptions.

People are usually most frightened when they see a snake in the home, garage, or storage building. If they are not able to remove the snake immediately, they are frightened that the snake may still be inside. In this case, I recommend the use of sticky boards, a very sticky cardboard device that can usually be purchased at most hardware stores or other stores selling garden supplies or pesticides. These boards are also used to trap mice and rats and come in a variety of sizes. The larger size sticky boards can be tacked to an appropriate sized sheet of plywood and placed in the area the snake may travel. When the snake passes over the sticky board, it becomes trapped. The plywood sheet may then be moved outside and the snake can either be killed or released.

In summary, recognize the fact that snakes are part of the environment, especially in an area like Robeson County with large rural and swampy areas. Be careful when outside, and keep your place as unattractive to snakes as possible.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 05/25/06