A gray snake in the grass ready to strike

It’s often difficult to know if snakes are around, especially in winter when they may be hiding inside walls to escape the cold. This natural insulation offers them a quiet and undisturbed place to nest. Outdoors, properties with gardens, compost piles, or natural brush tend to attract snakes, particularly if small animals or insects are present.

Snakes tend to show up where shelter and food are readily available, and once they settle in, they’re not easy to spot or remove. The experts at Xceptional Wildlife Removal are trained to find and safely remove snakes from your property.

Typical Snake Hiding Places

Snakes are experts at staying out of sight, often slipping into quiet, undisturbed areas around your home or yard. Because they’re so good at hiding, it’s important to know where to look. Here are some of the most typical places snakes tend to hide:

Crawl Spaces: Snakes often seek shelter in crawl spaces beneath homes or buildings, where it’s cool, dark, and undisturbed. Once inside, snakes may stay for extended periods, especially during colder months.
Water Sources: Areas near ponds, streams, or even birdbaths can attract snakes, especially if frogs or small prey are nearby. Many species of snakes are excellent swimmers and are drawn to the moisture and food opportunities around water.
Shady Retreats: Snakes prefer cool, shaded spots during hot weather. Spaces under porches, sheds, or rocks offer a perfect escape from the heat.
Dense Vegetation: Tall grass, thick shrubs, and overgrown garden beds create excellent cover for snakes. These areas not only shield them from predators but also attract the small rodents and insects that snakes feed on.
Debris Piles: Stacks of wood, unused lumber, leaf piles, and cluttered outdoor corners are common hiding spots. Snakes often use these places to stay warm or to nest.

What to Do If You See a Snake

If you see a snake in your home or yard, the safest approach is to keep your distance and avoid trying to handle it yourself. Stay calm and keep pets and children away from the area to help prevent unnecessary risk. Attempting to capture or scare off a snake can lead to injury for both you and the animal. Instead, it’s best to contact a wildlife control professional who is trained to remove snakes safely and humanely.

Types of Snakes You Might See in Virginia

Virginia is home to a surprising variety of snakes, ranging from helpful rodent hunters to species that warrant extra caution. Below are several snakes you are most likely to see in and around Virginia:

Banded Water Snake: Often mistaken for venomous cottonmouths due to their appearance, banded water snakes are non-venomous but may become aggressive if cornered. Their bite can be painful and lead to infection, so it’s best to keep your distance.
Brown Snake: These small, secretive snakes are commonly found in gardens and under debris. Though non-venomous, they can still startle homeowners and may bite if threatened.
Canebrake Rattlesnake: Also known as the timber rattlesnake, this species is venomous and potentially dangerous if provoked. They typically avoid humans, but their powerful venom can cause serious harm if a bite occurs.
Common Garter Snake: Recognizable by their stripe patterns, garter snakes are harmless and help control insect and rodent populations. However, when handled, they may release a foul odor and could bite defensively.
Common Water Snake: Found near ponds and streams, this non-venomous snake often gets confused with more dangerous species. While not venomous, it may bite repeatedly if it feels threatened, and its saliva can cause irritation.
Pine Snake: These large, constricting snakes are non-venomous and play an important role in controlling rodent populations. Despite being harmless to humans, their size and loud hissing can make them appear threatening.

How To Prevent Snakes from Entering Your Home

Keeping snakes away starts with making your yard less attractive. Avoid feeding birds from April through October, as feeders draw birds and rodents that attract snakes. Limiting feeding during these months reduces snake visits.

Maintaining your lawn is key. Snakes prefer tall, dense grass for cover from predators. Keeping grass short makes your yard less inviting. Clearing wood piles, leaf debris, and mulch removes damp, dark hiding spots. Store firewood in sealed containers to eliminate shelters.

Controlling pests is essential since rodents are a main food source for snakes. Address infestations quickly and feed pets indoors or clean up food outside to reduce rodents. Avoid overwatering lawns, as soggy soil attracts worms, which in turn attract snakes. These steps help discourage snakes from settling near your home.

How to Find a Snake Nest

Finding a snake nest in your home or yard can be challenging because snakes often choose hidden, protected spots to lay their eggs or shelter. Here are some typical places where snakes may nest:

Unusual Sounds: Strange noises like soft rustling, dragging, or thumping from inside walls or under floorboards can suggest a snake is present. These sounds often come from damp, dark hiding spots and are easier to hear when the house is quiet.
Shed Skin: As snakes grow, they shed their skin. If you find a dry, papery layer of skin stretched out or crumpled in a corner, especially near walls or tight spaces, it’s a sign that a snake may be living nearby.
Scent Clues: Some snakes release a musky, unpleasant odor when they’re disturbed or marking their territory. If you notice a strange smell in a crawl space or other quiet area, it could be a warning sign.
Movement Trails: In dusty areas like attics or crawl spaces, you might see curved or wavy lines in the dust, evidence of a snake’s movement. These slither tracks often lead toward hidden entry points or nesting areas.
Indoor Hiding Spots: Snakes are drawn to cool, dark, and quiet areas inside homes, especially basements, crawl spaces, utility rooms, and laundry rooms. These places offer shelter and tend to go undisturbed. Always check cautiously behind clutter, storage boxes, or appliances using a long stick rather than your hands.
Outdoor Nesting Areas: Your yard can also be a prime location for snake activity. Overgrown vegetation, compost piles, rock borders, and wood stacks provide excellent cover. Snakes often nest in sunny areas with nearby shelter and access to water or prey.
Rodent Disappearance: If you’ve seen mice or rats around your home but suddenly notice their absence, a snake could be the reason. Many snakes feed on rodents and may take up residence where they can find easy prey.

Protect Your Home from Snakes with Xceptional Wildlife Removal

Snakes can pose a real danger if they start making your yard their home. When snakes enter your home or yard, it’s important to act quickly. You can rely on Xceptional Wildlife Removal to effectively manage any snake issues. Since we began serving the Virginia area in 50, residents have trusted us to handle all kinds of wildlife problems.

Call Xceptional Wildlife Removal to safely and effectively handle any snake problems you’re facing.
Back to Snake Removal – Control