Encountering a snake on your property can be scary and unsettling. However, learning to tell the difference between a venomous and a non-venomous snake can help you remain calm and handle the reptile safely before help arrives. So, how can you tell if a snake is venomous?
One way to tell whether a snake is venomous is by looking at its underbelly. If it has a row of scales extending to the anal plate, it’s venomous.
But in your fear and safety, you might not get close enough to inspect this. Other tells of venomous snakes include triangular heads. Although snakes generally have triangular heads, venomous species have broad heads to accommodate the venom glands. Non-venomous snakes, like rat snakes, have slender heads and rounded pupils as opposed to elliptical pupils in venomous snakes.
Moreover, dangerous snakes are colorful and have patterns, while harmless snakes have solid colors. Remember, there’s always an exception to this rule, so if you’re in doubt, keep a safe distance and call Advanced Wildlife Removal. Our team of wildlife professionals is trained in how to safely identify and remove snakes.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SNAKE INFESTATION?
When you come across a dry and thin sheet of snake skin crumpled up on your property, it’s a sign you have a snake problem. You’ll likely find molded skin in corners, small areas, and walls in your home.
Snakes shed their skin as they increase in size and length. It also helps to get rid of harmful parasites. Another sign you might have a snake in your premises is finding slither tracks on dusty ground.
Snakes also have a distinct smell you can notice in crawl spaces and other hiding spaces. They also make sounds from their hiding place, so if you hear strange noises from a dark space, inspect them with caution or call a professional snake removal expert. Early detection of snake activity is key to preventing potential risks, especially if the snake is venomous.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A VENOMOUS SNAKE SPECIES BITES YOU
When a snake bites you, call 911 or a local emergency contact immediately. The situation is dire when the bite site has changed color, swollen or painful. Most medical emergency services have antivenom drugs for venomous snake bites.
If you can, take a photo of the snake from a safe distance so the medical experts know the type of venom in your system and the antivenom to administer. As you wait for medical attention:
- Keep calm and sit down or lie in a neutral
- Loosen tight clothing, jewelry, or accessories near the bite site before the swelling kicks in.
- Clean the wound gently with soap and water.
- Apply a sterile dressing to the bite area.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VENOMOUS AND POISONOUS?
Poison is a harmful toxin that gets into your body when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Venom is when a toxin is injected into your body. Venomous snakes inject venom into your body using fangs.
HOW DO I GET RID OF VENOMOUS SNAKES IN MY YARD?
Eliminating snakes from your yard involves removing food sources that attract them, such as small rodents. You should also drain any standing water, fill in any snake burrows on your property, and declutter your yard to remove potential hiding spots like piles of wood or rocks.
You should also cut dense bushes and tall grass and pour natural snake repellants like cinnamon oil, vinegar, cloves, or sulfur around your property. If you’ve determined it’s a nonvenomous snake, spray it with a steady jet of water to encourage it to move along.
But if you’d rather not deal with a snake or you’ve determined it’s venomous, call a professional wildlife removal expert like Advanced Wildlife Removal to handle the situation.
HIRE ADVANCED WILDLIFE REMOVAL
Dealing with snakes, especially venomous ones, can be daunting, scary, and risky. However, understanding their behavior, characteristics, and the signs of their presence can go a long way in ensuring your safety and that of your property. If you’ve taken all the preventive measures and still face a snake problem, it’s time to call a professional snake removal service.
Don’t let snakes rob you of your peace of mind. Trust the experienced staff at Advanced Wildlife Removal to reclaim your home and property. We are known for excellent customer service and attention to detail in our wildlife removal services, including snake control. Contact us today for a consultation and evaluation of your wildlife problem.