How to Get Rid of a Rattlesnake

This page is an expert guide on getting rid of a Rattlesnake from your yard using the products and methods suggested by our experienced pest control specialists. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and you will eliminate the threat of Rattlesnake activity around your yard.

Snakes of any kind finding themselves on your property is alarming but encountering a Rattlesnake can be downright frightening. Rattlesnakes are a dangerous snake species and quite an unfriendly intruder to run into. If one happens to come close to you to strike, not only can the Rattlesnake bite be painful, it can also be life-threatening.

In recent years, there has been an increase in Rattlesnakes moving in toward buildings and structures due to seasonal conditions being conducive to Rattlesnake being on the move to forage for meals. Normally, if a Rattlesnake is discovered on your property, it is advised to contact animal control to handle the situation. However, there are things that you can do to protect your home against a Rattlesnake intrusion.

Follow our expert-made DIY guide below to learn a little about Rattlesnakes and what techniques and products you can use to keep them away from being a threat to your home. 

Identification

Before you can carry out a treatment approach, you need to be sure you are dealing with a Rattlesnake and not some other animal. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong treatment methods, which may end up being a waste of your time and money. Below, we will cover what Rattlesnakes look like so you can properly identify them:

• Rattlesnakes are reptiles that are found throughout North and South America and are a distinctive species of snake.
• They have large thick bodies ranging from one to eight feet long and unique features like their scaled skin which comes in various colors and patterns. These scales look like a series of diamonds or hexagons overlapping one another. Most of the time, Rattlesnakes are colored with subtle earth tones which help to camouflage the snake.
• Rattlesnakes have a triangular head, a forked tongue and fangs which can inject poisonous venom.
• The most unique trait of the Rattlesnake is how it got its name which is the rattle at the end of their tail. Rattlesnake uses this rattle, which consists of interlocked segments or rings of keratin, to warn enemies.

Use the description and image above to properly identify a Rattlesnake that you have encountered. If you are not entirely sure, contact us and we will assist you with correct identification.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with a Rattlesnake, you should next carry out an inspection. During this phase, you will need to locate the areas where the Rattlesnake is active and observe conditions that may be attracting them to your property. This will help you in determining where to focus your Rattlesnake treatment.

Where to Inspect

Rattlesnakes can thrive in a variety of different environments such as grasslands, rocky areas when they are out in the wild. When they are around building and structures, they likely will slither around areas where there is tall grass, gardens, or around the exterior walls of a building. and habitats, but they mostly prefer woody areas and tall grass for cover.

Rattlesnakes are present likely because they are looking for food. Unkempt grass with tall bushes and fallen leaves are the perfect habitat for rodents like mice, rats and other insects. Since snakes feed on them, it is the perfect place for them too. Check areas of your yard where there is a lot of wood, mulch, and leaf litter.

What To Look For

Scan around the exterior perimeter of your home and your yard to find the Rattlesnake itself. If there is the presence of more than one Rattlesnake, then it's likely that your yard is appealing to them with plenty of hiding spots and food sources, like rodents.

When you know a rattlesnake is present but aren't sure where, another sign to watch for is any shed skin when they shed as part of their growth process.

Treatment

In order to keep Rattlesnakes from seeking out your yard during their travels, you will need to address the conducive conditions that are attracting the Rattlenake to your yard. This includes clearing up leaf litter, cutting back grass and removing any food sources.

If you encounter a snake, we highly advise you not to try to kill it as you may risk getting bitten and keep a good distance away of 10 feet or more. Call for help from a trained professional to handle the snake appropriately.

For snakes that you know are present, you can deter them from your yard with a snake repellent like Snake Out.

Step 1 - Remove Food Sources (Rodent Control, etc.)

If you have found a Snake in your yard and garden, then it is safe to assume that there is a food source nearby, which is exactly why the snake is so comfortable on your property. It is imperative that every homeowner first addresses any food source that the snake is living on. Snakes prey on small rodents, birds, insects and lizards, so first remove all of these food sources to help you get control of Rattlesnakes.

For rodent control, use Eratication, a powerful rodenticide bait shaped into blocks, along with The Solutions tamper-proof Rodent Bait Stations. Eratication is a multi-feed bait used to control rats and mice. To keep the bait safely out of the reach of children and pets, and to keep it protected from the elements, we use tamper-proof bait stations. Our bait stations are made with a tamper-proof lid that requires a key, which is included with each station, to open. 

When handling bait and stations, it is important to wear gloves. This will protect you from the bait, but will also keep your scent off the stations. Human scent will often deter rodents from the bait. Place three Eratication bait blocks into your station. Each bait block has a pre-drilled hole which allows you to easily slide it onto the supplied metal rods in the bait station's interior.

Place your rodent bait stations along perimeter walls or fencerows. These are areas that rats and mice will typically travel. You will want to place each station about 10 to 15 feet apart to ensure thorough coverage of your area. Check the stations frequently to see if there is any rodent activity.

Step 2 - Use Snake Repellent

Once you have removed all the sources of food in the proximity of your home and garden, the next step is to invest in a snake repellant like Snake Out. Snake Out will not kill the snake but actually will aggravate it with its special blend of natural ingredients that disturb the snake's sense of smell to an extent that the Rattlesnake will relocate to a new destination.

First, determine the size of your yard by measuring and multiply the length times the width. It's recommended to apply Snake Out in 8 inches wide by 50 feet in length or 1 lb per 100 sq. ft. Once you calculate the square footage, lightly sprinkle out a band 6 to 8 inches wide around, into, or next to the area you wish to protect. You can also apply into voids, holes and cracks around your home and in your garage, sheds and other areas where you suspect they may travel.

Step 3 - Trap The Snake

If you are up for the task, you could trap the snake with the help of Solutions Humane Live Trap. With two hands, open the trap door by pushing on the door lock and lifting the door plate. Keep the door plate lifted while pulling the trigger arm forward to set it. Once you see the trigger arm's hook catch onto the door, the trap has been set.

Place your bait at the end of the trap, behind the trigger plate. We suggest using a dead rodent as bait and place it into the trap. Monitor the trap after a few hours to see if the snake has been captured. If it has, you can then alert animal control to safely relocate the Rattlesnake.

Prevention

Once the threat of a Rattlesnake is gone, you don't want to experience another intrusion. Preventative measures should be put into place to make the conditions of your property unappealing to wandering Rattlesnakes.

• Snakes like to stay in cool and damp areas. Look for any drainage issues that you might have on your property and have them fixed. Do not leave any fallen leaves that are damp on the ground.
• Trim over-grown grass, trees, and shrubs and let sunlight enter. Warm and dry areas will send snakes away from your yard.
• Snakes are great at slithering their way from tiny spots. Inspect your house from the exterior and seal any gaps and holes that you might see with caulk. Make sure all cracks and gaps in windows and door are sealed.  PVC pipes and electrical wiring is another entry point for snakes, make sure to seal those shut.
• The use of Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh can be helpful in sealing any possible points of entry, not just from snakes but other pests as well.

Key Takeaways

Why are Rattlesnakes a Problem? 

• Rattlesnakes intruding in your yard can be very dangerous and could be a sign that you have a rodent or conducive conditions that need to be modified. 

How to Get Rid of Rattlesnakes

• Use a snake repellent such as Snake Out around your yard and perimeter to ward off Rattlesnakes and deter them from the area. You could also try to use a Solutions Human Live Trap with live or dead rodents to use as bait.

Preventing Rattlesnake Reinvasion

• Prevent future Rattlesnake invasions by clearing up leaf litter, sealing off entry points and fixing moisture issues.