A friend's dog was bitten by a snake last week and died. I hear so much lately about snakes and I'm terrified of them. I

Louise
by Louise
have 3 dogs and want to make sure they and I are protected from them as much as possible. I've read some about snake-proofing a yard so have 2 questions. 1) See this pile of tree debris in my yard. Is there someone in the Gwinnett Cty (metro Atlanta) area who would come haul this off for me? 2) How would I find someone who comes to the house and does snake proofing?
  38 answers
  • Louise, Any gardening or landscaping company can do that clean up for you. As far as snake proofing. I would contact your local Co-Op extension service for advice on what you need to do. A local pest control company also could help. But the one thing you will find if the environment is not conducive to them, you will not see them being an issue. Many pest control companies now practice what is known as integrated pest management. This type of practice is exactly what you would be doing my removal of the stacked branches in your yard. This works not only for snakes, but rodents, birds, ants, and the rest of those creepy things that go bump in the night. As far as snake proofing. Its a matter of closing up holes and openings around the house. Do you have a deck that has open sides? Perhaps really low to the ground? These areas are a great place for snakes and rodents to hang out when they need to cool off. While most snakes lay exposed to the warmth of the sun, they do protect themselves by hiding in low protected overhangs. So seal off any openings around the house that would invite them to move in and your pretty much done. But check your local Co-op extension center near you for better advice then I can provide as they will understand the habitat of those critters that are local to your area. Also so sorry to hear about the doggie.
  • Louise Louise on Jul 21, 2012
    My deck isn't really low to the ground -- maybe 5 ft up -- so it's not too much of an issue, I wouldn't think. But my front stoop is concrete and the soil under it has eroded a bit over the years and there's a hole under the concrete. I'd never considered that might be a snake hidey-hole, but I'll bet they'd love that. I know some chipmunks dart in there sometimes, so I wouldn't want to enclose the hole and prevent them from coming out. What would be the best way to get the chipmunks out -- or is there a way -- and then get someone to close the hole? Maybe just remove the stoop and have another one poured? But I'd rather do it the least expensive way.
  • If you put some soil in the hole and the critters are still present they will dig their way out again. Also if they are active in and out, no snake there. As they would not be seen if there was. But your correct holes such as this make great nesting areas for all sorts of critters that you really do not want in our around your home. If you know they are not in there, mix up some cement and a little soil if you want add some water to make it soupy and pout it in. Once hardened they will not be able to dig out the opening and re-nest.
  • Louise Louise on Jul 21, 2012
    I'll see if I can find someone to do this for me. If I encountered a snake during this process, I'd die on the spot.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Jul 21, 2012
    I personally don't like snakes but I know there are good ones that kill the bad ones. For this reason I don't try to kill every snake and am glad to see some of them in my yard.
  • Louise Louise on Jul 21, 2012
    I've lived here for 30 yrs and have only seen two during that time. One was very small and alive and the other was about 4-5 ft long and dead. But I hear about them so often now that I want to make sure I don't see any. If they're around and I don't see them, that's one thing, but . . . Ewwww!
  • Paul M Paul M on Jul 21, 2012
    Call Rid A Critter, I believe they can help you out with the snake proofing or at least refer you to someone that does that.
  • April April on Jul 22, 2012
    @Louise - I'm sorry to hear about your friend's dog. :( I hope the situation gets sorted. I'm pretty sure there's probably businesses out there that will help you clear it and pest control places to keep things under control. Will keep you in my prayers.
  • Sherry R Sherry R on Jul 22, 2012
    A lady over here in Lubbock, stepped off her porch (never had a problem in 37 years) but this one day she didn't look. Got bitten and spend 2 weeks in ICU and another week in regular room. She was older lady but survived. It's a real concern here because of the water shortage and they are coming out of the fields. We actually have rattlesnake round-ups annually to manage the increasing populations. Google-Rattlesnake round-up Sweetwater, Texas
  • April April on Jul 22, 2012
    Sorry to hear that, Sherry! Hope she's okay now.
  • April April on Jul 22, 2012
    Hmm, it won't let me edit, so I'll just say add that I'm gas she's okay and hope everyone stays safe.
  • Hometipster.com Hometipster.com on Jul 22, 2012
    Snakes can be a real problem, especially if you don't know which are venomous. I live in a tropical climate and each year I capture in excess of 10 King Cobras in my garden. I just can't bear to kill anything, so I capture and release in the nearby jungle. In my youth I kept snakes so I know what I'm doing but the best thing to do... avoid them altogether. If you see one, just walk away.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jul 22, 2012
    There is no way to completely snakeproof you place. However, it would be a good idea to put screen or boards on the back of those open steps. As for the holes where chipmunks use under the step, feel free to close it in because they have other entrances they can use. You can hammer a slighty larger rock into that hole...I have done this before in places where my lawn was being chewed up. Then put some dirt over it. Then do preventive work. Do not leave out water bowls for dogs or plants to draw snakes in to water. Put up a fence for your dogs and keep it decluttered...and at least some of the space on the other side of the fence. Piled up debris or overgrown areas encourage snakes, as do some decorative grasses.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jul 22, 2012
    P.S. That photo you posted is a perfect nesting place for snakes...eliminate these types of piles of debris! Bag it up and haul it off but do not attempt to burn in a place as urban as is Norcross.
  • Louise Louise on Jul 22, 2012
    Thanks, Jeanette. I like your idea of a backing on open steps. I have that kind on my deck. I do have a fence for the dogs but a snake could so easily get into the yard and knowing 2 of my dogs, they'd go nuts over one and wouldn't leave it alone. And with my horrible fear and ignorance about them, I'd be no help. Thus, my desire to make things inhospitable for them. Yesterday I spoke with a neighbor who does yard work and he's going to give me an estimate to haul away my pile. That will make me rest a bit easier. And no, I never burn anything. The rules say burning must be 50 ft from a structure, and with my smallish lot, that would be tricky, plus I have so many trees, I'd surely catch something on fire.
  • Joan Good Joan Good on Jul 22, 2012
    If you are worried about the dogs, contact pacesetter training kennel in Winterville. They go well beyond traditional sit/stay type dog training. If they don't do snake training, they will know who does. You may not be able to get every snake out of your yard, but you can train your dogs to stay clear of any they may come across and alert you to any they see as well. pacesttr at windstream.net A few hundred dollars of training now could save thousands in vet bills later, or worse!
  • Patricia Patricia on Jul 22, 2012
    Did you know that there is a "snake vaccine" for dogs now. I just started my dachshund on the vaccine. Ask you vet, My dog had is first vaccine then 3 weeks later he had his second dose. Now he only has to have it once a year. It only cost $14.00 per dose. What the vaccine does is if a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, the vaccine counteracts the venim and helps flush it out of its system. I know how sad it is to loose a pet because of a rattlesnake bite. We live in the country and two of our cats have been bitten and died. There is not a vaccine for a cat, sad to say, but hopefully that will come real soon. Call and ask your vet. Good luck! We live in central Florida and have snakes!
  • Louise Louise on Jul 23, 2012
    Patricia, I had no idea a vaccine was available. I'll definitely ask my vet about it. Thanks!!
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Jul 23, 2012
    Louise, yesterday I saw pictures of a dog bitten by an Eastern rattlesnake. His head was as big as a pumpkin. He was taken to the vet hospital and got 30 vials of antivenom and he is alive & doing well. Apparently many wonderful people on facebook donated for his $20,000 vet bill. Any "leftover" money will be donated for animal care.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Jul 23, 2012
    Patricia, I never hard of a preventative for snake bites. I'll be checking with my vet tomorrow. My big 103 lb boy dog killed a "red on yellow poisionous snake" - can't remember what kind of snake but my boy dog and his sister weren't hurt. The snake died. Since then I keep the dogs on leashes and don't let them near the small lake and high weeds.
  • Louise Louise on Jul 23, 2012
    Sherrie, I think I saw that on FB, also. Seems the dog was named Cassie or something like that?
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jul 24, 2012
    Sherrie, "Red touches yellow, there's a dead fellow. Red touches black, another chance Jack." The red touches yellow is a coral snake (deadly). Red touches black is a type of king snake (not poisinous). I am not sure we have the coral snake in north Georgia (Atlanta) but probably do in south Georgia. Like one comedian said..."The USA has a thousand poisinous snakes and Georgia has 1,001 of them."
    • Capernius Capernius on May 03, 2015
      @Jeanette S you have the correct idea, but the saying goes like this: red & yellow will kill a fellow, red & black is a friend of jack.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Jul 24, 2012
    Jeanette S, thank you. Now I remember it was a coral snake my big dog killed. I was shocked when I found out what it was. Louise I think it was Cassie bitten by the rattlesnake and she lived. Good & bad snakes all scare me but I might be lucky enough to have a good snake that eats a bad one.
  • Cheryl G Cheryl G on Jul 24, 2012
    If your dog is all right with cat . I have cats that take care of the snakes and mices too. Becuase even if you take away that wood pile snake will just find some where else to live in your yard. Molf ball are good snakes don't like them.
  • Louise Louise on Jul 24, 2012
    Then maybe I'll make it look like a snow storm with mothballs!! :-) But I think they're harmful to dogs, aren't they? Don't guess I can put them in the backyard, but maybe some hidden around the front entrances.
    • Lynn Lynn on Feb 19, 2015
      @Louise Absolutely! Mothballs are harmful to everyone! Perhaps you need to be outside with your dogs. Or if it is that dangerous maybe you need to keep them on a lead. That is what I would do.
  • Patricia Patricia on Aug 06, 2012
    I didn't know about the Snake Vaccine either until I saw a sign in my Vet's office. I asked about it and she said that many hunters that hunt with dogs use it faithfully. I immediately started my dog on it this year. Since I live in Florida AND in the country as well as having had several of my cats bitten and die, I knew I had to have it given to my Dachshund who is nortorious at catching rats and squirrels in my yard. He would do the same with a snake without hesitation. So check with your vets about the vaccine. I just wish they had one for CATS.
  • Linda B Linda B on Aug 07, 2012
    I hope you find someone to clean up the debris. Best wishes, Linda
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Aug 08, 2012
    While it is true there is no way to completely snake proof your yard, you do need to clean up trashy areas and areas that invite them to come visit and look for shade. Firewood piles need to be away from the house for this reason and to avoid attracting termites to the house. Weatherstripping on garage and shed doors should be done too! It is always better to be as safe as you can!
  • Louise Louise on Aug 08, 2012
    I had someone come haul off all of the debris a couple of weeks ago. The area looks sooo much better and I don't feel as squeamish now when I'm in that area. And Jeanette, I like the weatherstripping idea for the garage door. It has some, but I think I need to replace it to make it better
    • Capernius Capernius on May 26, 2015
      @Louise there is a trap you can buy for snakes. I'm told that it works well at catching them...check with a pest control company. If I lived close to you, I would stop by & hunt down any & all snakes for free. Seriously. Snakes are good eating if cleaned & cooked correctly. Poisonous or not, makes no difference....they are all good eating. :)
  • Patricia Patricia on Aug 11, 2012
    You need to keep any debris cleaned up around the yard. Even if you have a ground level compost pile, watch out for snakes. An enclosed compost station is the best way to compost. Snakes love those areas as well. If you have tree limbs laying around your yard, get rid of them or have someone else take them off for you. Tires laying around the yard is another item snakes like to lay in. Just keep things in order and picked up is the way to go! We can't keep snakes from coming around. I have a black snake that stays around my yard but that is a good snake to have. He is about 5 ft. long. He eats rats and will even fight off rattle snakes and other snakes. But if confronted, he may chase you!
  • Louise Louise on Aug 11, 2012
    If I got chased by a snake, I'd die on the spot!!!!
    • Capernius Capernius on May 26, 2015
      @Louise the best way to avoid getting bit by a snake, is to give him all the room he needs...and a nice metal garbage can to hide in. when you have a snake in the can, you can either kill it or deposit it elsewhere.
  • Patricia Patricia on Aug 12, 2012
    When I was a teenager, my Mom was chased by one. It was funny then but it wouldn't be funny to me now! I agree. I'd probably run like crazy (can't run too fast at my age now) and scream like a little girl!!!! Laaaaaary get the gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heeeeeee I don't want to be chased at all. I'm constantly looking when i'm out in my yard or any other yard!
  • Baby H Baby H on Jun 03, 2013
    I spotted a snake in my yard in like 2000. I have used Snake away every since and havent seen one sense. Also Lime treatments will work.. they don't like it on their skin
  • Trina Moers Trina Moers on Jun 15, 2014
    Bay Leaves are the answer to all of your snake PLUS any small rodent problems (unfortunately that could mean cats too if you aren't careful! Trust me - I have a 13 yr old cat that munched on half a leaf, $2,862 dollars later we now call her The Tank bc the vet couldn't believe she pulled through with just IV flush! But if you have a garage, shed, attic (I've had an epic multi MULTI thousand dollar battle w the attic squirrels!), and I even sprinkle the Bay Leaves around my storage units. The owner actually complained bc the mice were dying RIGHT AROUND MY UNITS & he wanted to know if I was putting out poison!! Not if u consider a kitchen spice poison, which it really is one! I also have an outdoor shed that is pretty old & not air tight in the least (it sometimes feels like there is a BREEZE WAY built in it!) there is not one single bug, insect, rodent, snake, lizard, basically nothing alive & it is all bc of the Bay Leaves. In fact if you read the label on the back of the Bay Leave container that you buy as INGREDIENTS TO FEED TO YOUR FAMILY, it says "remove Bay Leaves before serving"!! Just make sure small cats & infants can't get to it but basically w snakes it is a food supply issue; kill all living things around then the snake will go find another spot to nest that doesn't have toxic leaves that will not only kill the snake, but also it's babies, & all the food source around it! Buy it by the bulk! Or when never I go to an estate sale - I immediately go to kitchen cabinet & hope to score the Bay Leaves that way. 9 times out of 10 the sales people running the estate sale almost give it to you bc they are focused on the big ticket items, not the crazy lady buying ONE SPICE BOTTLE 😄
    • See 6 previous
    • Janet Janet on Jul 07, 2015
      You could make a small fire and as dry as that looks it would take no time for it to be gone. Just move the fire back from anything you want to keep.
  • Johnson Harry Johnson Harry on Feb 19, 2015
    Do what many people do in Arizona, USa. The build concrete block fences. Sink the first block into the ground and build from there. Go up 6 feet at least. A snake cannot climb up a 90 degree angle that's 6 feet high. A less expensive way to do it would be to make a yard inside the yard for your pet to go out , do his business, and come back in.
  • Capernius Capernius on May 03, 2015
    Of the 41 native snake species known in Georgia, only six are venomous: the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake (also known as the Canebrake), Pigmy Rattlesnake; Eastern Coral Snake; Cottonmouth (also known as the Water Moccasin) and Southern Copperhead.Jul 29, 2010 copied from Google Search
  • Capernius Capernius on May 03, 2015
    Regardless of what state you live in, or country you live in, if you live out in the country(the sticks) & are allowed to have farm animals, bar none, THE best defense against any kind of snake(poisonous or not) is a pig/hog. for some reason, they are immune to the poisons of a snake & very few things will make a hog happier than a nest of snakes. The hog will eat every single one of them. Q: can you stll eat the hog afterwards? A: Yes. but I have always waited for the snakes to pass through the hog's system first. That way I don't have to see them, deal with them, etc. I do not know what it is, but hogs love snakes like a fat kid loves cake! : D
  • Capernius Capernius on May 03, 2015
    here is some information on snake removal(professionally) & other tid bits of snake info: http://www.wildlife-removal.com/snakekeepaway.html