Who Deals With Getting Wild Animals Out Of Houses In Rural Areas Of Detroit Lakes?

Dealing with Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas—Preventing Encounters¹

Natural areas that provide homes for snakes and other wildlife are disappearing as more and more of Florida is developed to support the country's booming human population. As natural areas disappear and become more divided past development, snakes are forced to eke out a living in the remaining fragments of habitat, which with increasing frequency are yards and gardens in residential areas. The stop result is that people and snakes are oft forced to live in close proximity to i another. Withal, the likelihood of encountering a serpent in a residential area is not great, because many of Florida'southward 46 species of native snakes merely exercise not inhabit areas dominated past people. Furthermore, the vast majority of snakes y'all may possibly discover effectually your dwelling pose no threat to people, and therefore there is no reason that people and nearly species of snakes cannot coexist peacefully.

Most snakes that you may encounter in residential areas are non-venomous and are simply trying to live in an environment that is all also frequently hostile to snakes. Threats to snakes in residential areas include cats and dogs, lawnmowers, people who misunderstand and fright snakes, besides as automobiles. If you run across a ophidian in your yard it is all-time that you enjoy it from a distance and go out it be to eat rodents, slugs, and insect pests in your g. Despite myths, Florida's snakes are non aggressive, and in fact many provide a valuable service past eating rodents that destroy property and potentially spread disease. Even though nearly snakes in residential areas are not a threat to people or pets, at that place are steps you can have to avert encountering snakes.

In areas where homo/snake encounters are probable, we recommend a 3-office proactive arroyo for dealing with snakes, using the data provided in this series. By learning to identify Florida'southward most unremarkably encountered snakes, taking steps to prevent negative encounters, and planning for emergencies, you will be well equipped to coexist peacefully with snakes. You will also be prepared to identify potentially dangerous snakes and react appropriately if the demand arises. This document provides information on the second stride of this proactive approach—preventing negative encounters with snakes.

Preventing Negative Encounters with Snakes

For many people who are unfamiliar with snakes (or even fearfulness them) the task of avoiding encounters with snakes may seem challenging. However, this is one instance in which the motto "work smart, not hard" certainly holds true. Attempting to kill all the snakes in your one thousand is not the solution—rather y'all should learn how to make your k and home less attractive to snakes, if your goal is to prevent encountering them. Y'all should also learn how to tell the difference between harmless, not-venomous species and potentially dangerous, venomous snakes. Killing or attempting to kill snakes effectually your home greatly increases your chances of being bitten, and will non forestall other snakes from inbound your yard. This may really prove counterproductive, especially if you impale non-venomous snakes, some of which eat venomous snakes (not to mention helping to control rodent populations that could attract more snakes!). Attempting to completely exclude snakes from your yard with fencing is possible, but would be rather time consuming and expensive, and advertised "snake repellents" only do non work. So how can you lot "work smart" to prevent unwanted encounters?

If you have already read the previous document in this series (Dealing with Snakes in Florida'southward Residential Areas—Identifying Normally Encountered Snakes: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW258) you lot should be able to place most of the snakes yous may encounter in your grand. This is an especially important step, as it allows yous to determine which snakes (if any) might pose a threat, identify possible food sources for snakes, and learn other potential solutions. For case, someone with harmless Eastern Garter Snakes in their k might find that their backyard swimming is total of frogs—i of its favorite prey items. An private who encounters equally harmless ratsnakes in or around their home might be well advised to cover potential access points for snakes, and to take steps to remove rodent prey. Thus, by learning to identify, empathize and respect our ecologically important native snakes, you and your family may simply be able to coexist peacefully with them. However, if y'all come across venomous snakes, snakes inside your dwelling, or simply experience the need to preclude all encounters with snakes, the following steps will help to "snake proof" your home.

"Snake Proof" Your Yard

First, you should address your g—do you have tall grass, overgrown shrubs or piles of castor, debris, or wood? If so, these may provide hiding spots for snakes, and alpine grass can arrive hard to watch your step. Keep your grass mowed, and keep shrubs and tree branches trimmed away from the house. Do not mow to the edge of lakes or ponds, as this volition destroy of import habitat for frogs, turtles, and birds—rather, warn children to stay away from the water unless accompanied by an adult and keep pets away from these areas. Installing concatenation-link or privacy fence is an effective solution to keep pets and children away from wetland and lake edges. You should not completely remove brush piles and vegetation from your yard because these can provide habitat for wildlife, just should keep brush piles well abroad from buildings and areas where children play. Piles of firewood should as well be moved away from these areas, and firewood should be stored neatly on a rack, rather than on the ground (Effigy i).

Figure 1. Firewood should exist stacked neatly on a rack. Woods piles on the ground provide many hiding spots for snakes.
Credit: Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida, 2007

Some landscape elements, such as rock walls, may too provide shelter for snakes (and rodents), and should be kept well away from the house unless cracks are sealed with mortar. Too, be alert when playing or working in your yard to avoid existence surprised if yous suddenly run across a ophidian. Remember, snakes are most active in jump and summer.

"Snake Proofing" Your Dwelling and Other Structures

Next, you should examine your firm, garage, shed (or other outbuildings), and porch. Are in that location gaps nether doors, holes in walls, or openings on your roof that might allow snakes to easily enter your domicile? Are there whatever holes or gaps in the screens on your windows, doors, or porch, or open bleed pipes from enclosed pools? Snakes may enter garages, basements, or attics in search of prey if rodents are present or may simply sideslip in through a drain piping or crack under a door in search of a absurd hiding spot (Figure ii).

Figure 2. Uncovered holes, such as this patio pool drain are inviting hiding spots for snakes in search of a cool place to rest, and tin can allow a snake access to your home.
Credit: Steve Johnson, University of Florida

Every bit yous audit your domicile, you should go on in mind that some snakes (particularly minor ones) may enter through an opening no larger than a pencil.

Door sweeps and garage door threshold weather strips are piece of cake, economical ways to seal gaps under doors, but must be checked periodically to ensure that they are in skillful repair (Figure 3). Caulking or inexpensive expansion cream sealant, available at hardware stores, can exist used to seal cracks in a foundation, gaps between a patio or porch and the business firm, holes where wiring or plumbing enters your habitation, or gaps around attic vents (Figure four). Larger gaps can be covered with hardware material, clamber space admission holes can be fitted with secure doors, and plumbing vent stacks or other potential roof access points can exist protected with cheap hardware cloth (Figure 5).

Figure iii. Door sweeps can forestall snakes from inadvertently slipping into the home under a door, just must be checked periodically. This rubber door strip is in disrepair, leaving large gaps below the door.
Credit: Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida, 2007

Figure four. Small gaps where wiring (A) or plumbing (B) enter the house or garage can allow snakes to enter, and should exist repaired with caulking. Larger gaps (C) can be filled with expansion foam sealant (D).
Credit: Monica McGarrity and Steve Johnson, University of Florida, 2007

Figure 5. Roof vents (A) and plumbing vent stacks (B) often accept large openings that can allow climbing snakes (such as rat snakes) to enter the dwelling or garage. These large openings can be easily covered with hardware material, as shown hither.
Credit: Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida, 2007

Pet doors can also serve equally easy access points for snakes. The but effective way to exclude snakes from entering garages or homes via these access points is to seal or remove the pet door. Outdoor and indoor/outdoor cats capture and impale billions of frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, and small mammals in the Us each year, and are often responsible for bringing snakes into homes—usually through pet doors!

"Rodent Proofing" Your Home and Other Structures

Finally, you lot should attempt to "rodent proof" your home, so that rodents exercise non attract snakes into your home, garage, or shed. Ratsnakes, in item, are oftentimes constitute in attics, garages, or sheds when rodents are nowadays, but exit when rodents are exterminated. Exterior the home, be sure to keep bird feeders some distance from the firm and do non feed in late spring and summer, when birds accept plenty of food sources, as you lot may be feeding rodents as well. Mulch bins, where people compost food scraps, may attract rodents, so exist sure they are secure and that their contents are non accessible to mice and rats (Effigy 6).

Figure 6. Mulch piles and compost bins can be inviting to rodents, which may concenter snakes. Sturdy, sealed containers such equally this can help to "rodent-proof" your yard. Note the PVC pipe used to hold the door securely in place.
Credit: Steve A. Johnson, University of Florida, 2007

In the garage, be certain to keep doors and windows tightly closed, seal all holes, keep the garage neat and go on clutter (especially cardboard boxes in which rodents like to nest) off of the flooring. If you meet rodents or find droppings, you may demand to utilize traps or rent an exterminator to remove them. Avert using poisons considering poisoned rats that leave your garage may be scavenged by wild fauna or pets, poisoning them too. In your dwelling house you should accept intendance to go on basements and attics clutter costless, seal all holes, and monitor for rodent activity. In your garage and habitation keep human food, pet food, and seeds for birds in tightly closed containers and periodically audit for signs of rodent activity (chewed boxes, droppings, etc.). A metal garbage can with a secure lid is a good, rodent-proof place to shop bird feed and pet nutrient in your garage.

Boosted Prevention Tips

If you frequently meet venomous snakes and find that the measures described above practice not deter them, you may consider using fencing in some areas (i.east., forth edges of wooded areas or margins of lakes and wetlands) to prevent snakes from entering your chiliad. Fencing of aluminum flashing, hardware fabric (one/4"), or silt fencing two–3 anxiety high cached half-dozen inches in the ground should deter almost snakes from gaining access to certain areas of your grand (Figure seven).

Figure vii. Snake fences, such every bit this one made of silt fencing, can prevent some snakes from entering your thousand when used correctly, but tin exist costly and time consuming to install and practise non prevent all species of snakes from inbound. Such measures should only be used as a last resort.
Credit: Steve Johnson, University of Florida

If you lot use such a barrier forth the edge of a wetland or forested area, be sure to turn out the ends of the barrier to direct potential snakes back into the natural habitats, rather than your m. Using this method to exclude snakes from an entire g can be costly and time consuming, and should be used every bit a terminal resort. If snake fencing is used to exclude snakes, be sure to trim vegetation well away from debate, as snakes may be able to use this to cross over. Also, exist certain the posts or supports for the barrier material are on the side of the bulwark toward your thousand, as some snakes could potentially use the posts to climb over the barrier. Aluminum flashing and silt fencing (with posts already attached) are unremarkably available at hardware stores. Such barriers crave frequent inspection and maintenance.

Safely Dealing with Serpent Encounters

If you have already read the previous document in this serial (Dealing with Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas—Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW258), yous should now be able to identify most of the snakes you may encounter in your chiliad and already know a scrap virtually their behavior. However, information technology is critical that you also understand that snakes are not aggressive and do not hunt or chase people, but they can strike without coiling first. Belief in myths such as these tin cause people to conduct rashly during an meet, creating an unsafe situation for themselves and for the ophidian. Higher up all else, if you run into a snake, try your best to remain calm! Snakes would rather non encounter humans, and it is probably as scary for them as it is for you. Too keep in mind that the vast bulk of encounters between people and snakes are with non-venomous, harmless snakes.

If you run across a snake outdoors, keep children and pets away while yous attempt to identify it as venomous or non-venomous—from a safe distance. Keep in listen that snakes volition usually attempt to abscond toward the nearest cover, and then try non to stand betwixt them and bushes or other embrace. When they are startled, some snakes volition flatten their heads and puff up to make themselves look more intimidating. A snake may besides become defensive or attempt to strike when cornered, then give it infinite! Remember—releasing a foul smelling musk and hit are a ophidian'south only defenses, since it has no claws. Be mindful of the fact that some non-venomous snakes (for case, Black Racers and rat snakes) will rattle their tails when they feel threatened, and if they are in dry leaves this beliefs may give the impression that they are a rattlesnake. Subsequently y'all identify the snake, or at least determine that information technology is non-venomous, the best course of action is to simply let information technology exist. If y'all take taken the precautions described above, information technology will not exist able to enter your house, will not have a ready supply of rodent prey nearby, and will likely soon be on its way. If y'all feel that you must remove the ophidian from your one thousand, spray it gently with a water hose to send it on its manner while keeping your distance. If y'all detect a snake in your pool, you lot can use a long handled leaf skimmer to gently remove the serpent, as it may not exist able to go out on its own if it is small or exhausted from swimming. If you make up one's mind that the snake is venomous or you are non sure of its identity, take a digital photograph and contact a professional! Do non attempt to handle the serpent yourself! Still, keep in mind that if y'all have taken the precautions described above, the ophidian is probably just passing through.

If you encounter a snake indoors, attempt to place it as venomous or non-venomous from a prophylactic distance while keeping children and pets away. Most snakes found inside Florida residences are non-venomous and can be easily and safely removed using a large wastebasket or outdoor trashcan with a chapeau and a broom. Tip the trashcan onto its side, and utilise the broom to gently "chase" the snake into the trashcan. Then, tip the trashcan upright and, taking care to continue your hands away from the open top, supplant the lid. You can then easily transport and release the snake in a nearby natural area. A full description of this technique, with accompanying photographs, is available online equally part of the Florida Museum of History Online Guide to the Snakes of Florida (from link in additional resources, follow link to "How can I safely remove snakes from my one thousand?"). If y'all observe a snake indoors in close quarters in an cranium or basement and are not able to use this technique, there are a variety of humane glueboard ophidian traps, such as the Cahaba Ophidian Trap (http://www.cahabasnaketrapsales.com) that you can set forth walls to capture snakes. When these traps are in use, they MUST exist checked daily so that snakes do not die from lack of moisture and brainstorm to odour. Captured nonvenomous snakes can hands be set free at a nearby natural area by pouring vegetable oil onto the snake to release it from the glue. If you have a venomous snake in your dwelling house, or if you capture a venomous snake in a gum trap, leave it lone and call a professional person. To find a licensed wildlife removal specialist in your area, visit the nuisance wild animals permit website maintained by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (http://myfwc.com/license/wildlife/nuisance-wild fauna/ and click the Wild animals Trapper List link about the lesser of the page). If you find a snake in the garage and are unable to capture it with a trashcan or gum lath, simply close the door to your house and crack open up the external doors to allow the ophidian to escape on its own.

The identification tips provided in the 2nd certificate in this series (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW258), along with the preventative measures and removal techniques described here volition enable yous to safely deal with snakes in and effectually your habitation. Every bit yous acquire more than about Florida'south native snakes, we hope that you will likewise learn to respect them and capeesh their role in Florida's surroundings. Notwithstanding, it is also essential that you know what to do and what to await in the result that you, someone you are with, a kid or a pet is bitten by a serpent—particularly a venomous serpent. The fourth and concluding certificate in this series, Dealing With Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas—Emergency Planning (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW261) volition provide you with the data yous need to develop a plan for dealing with snakebite.

Additional Resource

This document is the 3rd in a serial of 4 documents past Dr. Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity that provide data to Florida's residents on how to place snakes that are commonly encountered in residential settings, how to preclude encounters from occurring in the get-go place, and how to respond in the unlikely outcome that someone is bitten past a ophidian. Anyone living in Florida, especially people new to the state, will find these documents useful. These documents are available online through UF/IFAS Extension Electronic Information Information Source.

1. Introduction

2. Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes

3. Preventing Encounters

4. Emergency Planning

Hotline Numbers

Poisonous substance Command Hotline: one-800-222-1222

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Poisoning Hotline: 1-888-426-4435 (charges may apply)

Good Books on Florida Snakes

Conant, R., and J. Collins. 1998. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Key North America, tertiary edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Visitor.

Carmichael, P., and W. Williams. 2004. Florida'south Fabulous Reptiles and Amphibians. Tampa: World Publications.

Gibbons, W., and M. Dorcas. 2005. Snakes of the Southeast. University of Georgia Printing.

Johnson, S., and M. McGarrity. Identification Guide to the Snakes of Florida. Gainesville: UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-507-identification-guide-to-the-snakes-of-florida.aspx

Serpent Resource on the Internet

Dr. J'southward Wild fauna Web Folio—Online guide to Florida's Snakes: http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/snakes/florida.shtml

Johnson, S.A. (2005). WEC199-202. Gainesville: UF/IFAS Extension.

Johnson, Due south.A., and Thousand.Due east. McGarrity. (2006) "Black Snakes": Identification and Environmental. WEC214. Gainesville: University of Florida Constitute of Food and Agricultural Services. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw251

Ober, H. K., S. Johnson, and Due west. 1000. Giuliano. (2014). Managing Conflicts with Wild animals: Living with Snakes. WEC350. Gainesville: Academy of Florida Institute of Nutrient and Agricultural Services. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw395

Florida Museum of Natural History—Online guide to Florida snakes: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/visual-id/

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Living with Snakes: http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wild animals/snakes/

Partners in Amphibians and Reptile Conservation (PARC) site: http://www.parcplace.org/

Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW260

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