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Snake information

If you or a family member are bitten, seek emergency care! If your pet is bitten, Blue Pearl Vet has antivenom and is open 24/7. It is a 20 min drive (4701 Ulmerton Road, 727- 572-0132.) Call on the way with the information on the type of snake if possible. They have another location in Tampa, 3000 Busch Lake Blvd, 813-933-8944. It would also be wise to ask your primary vet if they have antivenom if the incident were to happen during office hours.

Please share this information with neighbors that may not have web access. Be safe!

Snake Management Ideas

We spoke with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, their Wildlife Alert Hotline is 888-404-3922.  They also provided us with numerous publications which are provided below. Their guidance included several of the following methods below to discourage snakes from your property.  The tips below came from a snake expert in a Facebook identification group and many of these methods were referenced in the call from FWC. 

“Every so often, we get questions as to how people can rid snakes of their yard.  The simple answer is, you can't, because snakes live outdoors and have varying environmental preferences depending on the landscape of your yard and around your home (such as brush, tall grass, ponds, etc). "

But you can better manage your yard to make it less inviting for them and become familiar with the snakes in your surrounding area to cohabitate as well as recognize and prevent any potential issues for yourself, family members, and your pets. 

What you can do:

  • Mow your lawn regularly. Shorter grass increases the risk of a snake's exposure to potential predators. Snakes do move, and will sometimes rest near bushes or trees, but shorter grass will help you easier spot a snake, in the event there happens to be one. 
  • Move or get rid of bird feeders. Birds and squirrels love to make a mess of bird seed and nuts. If you have a bird feeder close to your home, it is best to move it as far away from the home as possibly. Food on the ground will attract rodents, and the majority of snake species we have in Florida eat rodents. If there is a food source, snakes will continue come. 
  • Feed pets inside. Leaving food out will attract insects, rodents, and other potential prey to your home base. If there is food, snakes will come. 
  • Avoid over watering your lawn (or don't, if you don't need to). Areas with a lot of water (including homes near ponds) will attract frogs, slugs, and toads. We have a few species of snakes, that specifically prey on these critters. 
  • Trim trees and shrubs near the home. Less clutter will help you spot a snake easier. 
  • Move woodpiles or excess yard clutter as far away from the home as you can. This will give them something to climb and hide in or under. 
  • Remove large rocks. Snakes sometimes like to breed and retreat under large rocks. If you prefer a rock landscape in your yard, go with smaller rocks if you are able to. 
  • Seal any cracks in the home or foundation. Snakes love to accidentally wind up under the home, especially if there is a food source. But keep in mind, if there does happen to be rodents or another source that is "unwanted" around your home, snakes are beneficial and will take care of the problem, until there is potentially no more problem! 
  • Fencing will sometimes help, such as having a lanai - but not closing the door or having unsealed entrances will still get the occasional accidental visitor. 

What NOT to do: 

  • Do not use moth balls. So, so, so many people will claim that this works. It does not. Not only do mothballs contain Napthalene that is toxic to humans and other animals (and potentially deadly), they also contain Paradichlorobenzene, which is another insecticide that is toxic to wildlife and other beneficial insects. Napthalane has been proven to cause severe illness and death in humans. This is not something you would want your children, pets, or other animals to be around. It also has no effect on deterring snakes. Moth balls are also illegal to use outdoors, outside of their permitted FDA use - to deter moths. 
  • Do not use Sulfur. This is often used with commercial "Snake Away/Snake Shield/Snake Be Gone"  and "Toad deterrent" type products, as well as in conjunction with Napthalene, as said above. Neither is an effective deterrent, and is a hazard and waste of your money. Peppermint oil is also a new common one as well - this basically has a similar consensus when used in large quantities around pets and other animals, nor does it work. 
  • Snakes die more often than not when relocated unfortunately. Per FWC, venomous snakes must be trapped by a wildlife specialist that has a permit and the snake must be relocated within the county on at least 40acres with landowner permission. So that’s not really an option here in Pinellas. Attempting to kill a venomous snake usually results in someone getting hurt.  You can patiently wait for it to leave, or squirt it with a hose to move it along. Always be vigilant of your surroundings for yourself, children, and pets.
  • Do not use sticky traps. These harm so many animals, and so many animals starve and die slowly because traps are often forgotten about. 
  • Don't bring out the weapons, for the safety of yourself and your family. Attempting to kill a snake may harm yourself, or another bystander. Just don't do it. Leave it to a professional or respect the animal with distance and it will leave you alone.

Publications

University of Florida - IFAS

Snakes in Residential Areas

Preventing unwanted encounters

Snake Bite Action Plan

Dealing With Unwanted Wildlife


Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Snakes Of Florida


Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commision

Venemous Snakes


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