Florida has its fair share of native snakes, but despite popular belief coming into contact with these creepy serpents is not as prevalent as you may think. Nonetheless, as a homeowner with a bit of landscaping in Florida, chances are, your paths will cross on occasion. This article will provide you with an overview of the most common snakes in the state of Florida, as well as tips to keep these pesky reptiles off your property.
The Most Common Snakes In Florida
Believe it or not, snakes are just as frightened of you as you are of them, and in most instances, they will move as quickly as possible in the other direction when they come into contact with you. Although there are 50 species of snakes in the Sunshine State, there are only six that are venomous to humans.
The most common non-venomous snakes in Florida include:
- Burmese Python
- Common Kingsnake
- Banded Water Snake
- Black Pine Snake
- Black Racer
- Blue Stripe Garter Snake
- Eastern Coachwhip
- Black Rat Snake
- Florida Rough Green Snake
- Florida Water Snake
- Indigo Snake
- Eastern Corn Snake
The six common venomous snakes in Florida include:
- Southern Copperhead, also referred to as Copperhead, Highland Moccasin, or Chunkhead
- Cottonmouth, also referred to as Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, also referred to as Rattlesnake or Rattler
- Timber Rattlesnake, also referred to as Canebrake Rattlesnake
- Dusky Pigmy Rattle Snake, also referred to as the Pigmy Rattler or Ground Rattler
- Eastern Coral Snake, so referred to as coral snake
What To Do If You Find A Snake Outside
The vast majority of encounters people have with snakes in Florida are with non-venomous species. If you happen to encounter a snake on your property, attempt to stay as calm as possible. Also, keep children and pets away while you attempt to determine if the snake is venomous or non-venomous.
Snakes will typically try to escape you, so make sure you do not stand between them and any brush they could take cover in. Snakes may attempt to strike if they feel threatened, so it’s critical to keep a safe distance between you and the snake while trying to identify it. If you can determine that the snake is non-venomous, the best course of action is to let it be. If you feel that you must remove the snake from your yard, spray it gently with water while keeping a distance. This will send it on its way. If you are unsure if the snake is venomous, it’s critical to contact a trusted professional to help you identify the snake and remove it from your property. Remember, when in doubt, enlist the help of a professional pest control company.
What To Do If You Find A Snake Inside
The first step is to identify if the snake is venomous or not while keeping a safe distance. According to the University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, the majority of snakes found inside Florida homes are non-venomous and can be removed easily by utilizing a wastebasket or trash can with a lid and a broom. You can find instructions on how to remove a snake from your home here.
How To Prevent Snakes From Entering Your Home
- Keep A Clean Yard
Keeping your yard inhospitable to snakes is critical to maintaining them off your property. Thoroughly examine the outside of your home, and remove any places snakes would deem an excellent hiding place. Make sure to remove debris, piles of landscaping material, piles of leaves, and large piles of bricks or stones from your yard. Following these guidelines will go a long way in preventing snakes from making your yard their home.
- Seal Crevices
One of the best ways to keep snakes out of your home is to seal the openings where snakes could squeeze through to gain access to your home. Make sure to check the clearance of door bottoms and openings where pipes enter your home. If you notice open spaces, fix them immediately.
- Consider A Snake-Proof Fence
If you live in an area where venomous snakes are prevalent, you may consider investing in a snake-proof fence. According to NCSU, you can build a snake-proof wall by burying a ¼ inch mesh wire screen six inches underground and building it up 30 inches.
- Take Away Snake Food
When you take away snakes’ preferred hiding places, you also eliminate spots where mice and rats congregate. Many experts advise that it’s a good idea to involve a professional pest control company or agent to keep rodents away from your property. Also, practice anti-rodent hygiene by not leaving pet food out for more than an hour and closing your trash cans tightly.
Final Thoughts
While there are many species of native snakes in the state of Florida, many are non-venous and not threatening to humans. The good news is that snakes are rarely abundant in any one location, which means a snake infestation at your home is highly unlikely. The best thing you can do to keep your family safe from snakes is to teach everyone to respect snakes, lookout for them, and never use your hands to remove them. Following the tips we provided in this article can help you keep your property free of snakes this summer.
FAQs
Fencing of aluminum flashing, hardware cloth (1/4"), or silt fencing 2–3 feet high buried 6 inches in the ground should deter most snakes from gaining access to certain areas of your yard (Figure 7).
What drives snakes away from your house? ›
Snakes are highly sensitive to odors, so those currently denning in the home can be “evicted” by applying products such as vinegar, lime mixed with hot pepper, garlic or onions, Epsom salt, or oils such as clove, cinnamon, cedarwood, or peppermint to the perimeter.
What smell do snakes hate the most? ›
What Smell Do Snakes Hate? Strong and disrupting smells like sulfur, vinegar, cinnamon, smoke and spice, and foul, bitter, and ammonia-like scents are usually the most common and effective smells against snakes since they have a strong negative reaction to them.
What snakes are out of control in Florida? ›
— For more than two decades, Florida wildlife officials have struggled to get the invasive Burmese python population under control. The state even hosts the annual Florida Python Challenge with thousands of dollars in prizes for whoever bags the most snakes.
What is the best homemade snake repellent? ›
Clove and cinnamon oil are effective snake repellents. These should be mixed together in a spray bottle and sprayed directly on snakes for maximum effect. Use caution, as snakes will often run in the opposite direction of the spray. This mixture can also be used in a diffuser indoors as a fumigant, as well.
Is there anything you can put in your yard to keep snakes away? ›
Ammonia is a common snake repellent. Snakes hate the smell of ammonia and won't come near it. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in unsealed plastic bags. Leave the bags where you usually see snakes to keep them away.
What smell chases snakes away? ›
“One of the most commonly used snake-repelling scents is citrus,” says Mecham. “Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits contain a chemical called limonene, which is a natural snake repellent.
How to snake proof your home? ›
7 ways to snake-proof your house and garden
- Cover all holes leading to houses and garages. Snakes love crawling into hide-y spots such as roofs, underneath houses, garages etc. ...
- Maintain a tidy garden. ...
- Block cavities in wall structures. ...
- Protecting birds. ...
- Dispose of food scraps. ...
- Minimum shrubbery. ...
- Employ a professional.
As with any pesticide, make sure you read the entire label before using any products to repel snakes. Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.
What is the number one snake repellent? ›
Best Overall—Ortho Snake B Gon Snake Repellent
This product contains strong essential oils that successfully repels snakes even in the densest areas. It is safe for use around kids and pets and is easy to apply. It should be reapplied every several weeks in areas that you want snakes to avoid.
Calcium cyanide is a good chemical for killing snakes taking refuge in burrows, while there are several gases that sometimes work in fumigating dens. The use of certain insecticide sprays used in a hand sprayer also has possible uses.
How do you keep snakes away forever? ›
You can get rid of snakes in your yard and garden by eliminating food sources, getting rid of standing water, filling snake burrows, removing shelter, introducing natural predators, using natural repellents, or calling a wildlife control company.
What snake is overpopulated in Florida? ›
Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in the area. Pythons compete with native wildlife for food, which includes mammals, birds, and other reptiles.
What part of Florida has a snake problem? ›
In South Florida, Burmese pythons are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem, where the snake represents a major threat to native wildlife. Natively, however, these pythons are found in India, lower China, the Malay Peninsula and some islands of the East Indies.
What months are snakes most active in Florida? ›
Florida's diverse ecosystem makes them home to many different species of snakes. Snakes are abundant year-round throughout Florida. The weather is warm, there is plenty of food, and lots of vegetation. Snakes are most active, however, from April to October.
Is it common for snakes to come in your house in Florida? ›
Florida is home to approximately 50 species of native snakes, only six of which are venomous. The species described here are commonly encountered snakes that may be found in yards, golf courses, parks, retention ponds, and occasionally enter garages and houses.
How to protect a house from snakes? ›
Acrid oil, strong odor: Because snakes are creatures that do not like strong smells, so if you see snakes hanging around in the house, try to smell strong oils, such as engine oil, kerosene, turpentine, or car oil to the area around the house to help chase the snake away.
How do you seal a house from snakes? ›
Caulking and foam sealants can be used to seal cracks around the foundation or gaps between a patio or porch and the house or openings where pipes or wiring enter. Roof vents and plumbing vent stacks often have large openings that allow climbing snakes, like rat snakes, to enter a building.
Does Florida pay to remove snakes? ›
When invasive snakes began killing the Everglades' native wildlife, Florida came up with a plan: bring in bounty hunters. Amy Siewe – or the python huntress as she's also known – is scanning the roads and grassy verges of South Florida.
