"There's a snake in our yard!"

There are 32 species of snakes native to Tennessee, so eventually you will probably see one of these in your yard.  Snakes will always follow their food source, such as rats, mice, lizards, frogs, etc.  If you have a rodent problem, sooner or later you will have a snake problem.

However, if your yard is neat with trees trimmed and bushes cut back with no signs of vermin, the snake you see is very likely searching for a food source.  If he finds nothing in your yard, he will simply cross your property and keep looking.  After all, this is how snakes look for food. 

But if you do have a rodent problem, a snake just might look for shelter on your property such as an attic or crawl space, or even debris such as bricks or wood.  When a snake has found a good food source, he won't be in a hurry to move on.  And that can be a problem.

"Is it called venomous  or poisonous?"

Great question!  Poisonous refers to something that will poison you if eaten, such as mushrooms.  Venomous refers to something that can inject venom, such as snakes!

An easy way to tell if a snake is poisonous is to look at its eyes.  All poisonous snakes have cat like elliptical pupils while nonpoisonous snakes have solid, round eyes.

The four venomous snakes  that can be found in the United States

Ever wonder how cottonmouths got their name?

When a cottonmouth opens its mouth wide, you can see a large patch of white in its throat, almost like a piece of cotton.  However, when this snake opens its mouth, its not trying to be aggressive.  This action merely makes the snake more visible so it will not be stepped on. Cottonmouths will only bite if they are stepped on or feel threatened.  And regardless of common folklore, cottonmouths do not chase after people.

Cottonmouths are usually found near a water source, so be on the lookout for one if you live near a lake or pond.  These snakes primarily feed on fish and frogs, but they will also make a meal of rats and mice. 

While cottonmouths are venomous they are placid snakes that only bite if stepped on or otherwise threatened. If you see a cottonmouth, leave it alone and rest assured it will do its best to avoid you.

The rattlesnake is one of the easiest snakes to recognize in the United States.  This snake has a triangular head, slender neck and a grayish tan body with darker brown patches.  And let's not forget the most memorable part of a rattlesnake; the RATTLE!

Did you know that a rattlesnake's rattle will grow longer every time the snake sheds it skin?  The rattle is made of rings of keratin, which is the same substance your fingernails are made of.  You can estimate the age of a rattlesnake by the length of its rattle, but since these snakes do not shed every year, this estimate cannot be considered accurate.

Although scary, the sound of a rattlesnake's rattle is very useful in alerting anyone who may accidentally step on the snake and get bitten.  Sort of an early warning system from the rattlesnake!

Here's a riddle for you:  What do copperheads and chocolate have in common?  Hershey Kisses!

These beautifully marked snakes range in color from bright orange to coppery brown, silver, pink, and also peach.  And check out the unusual "Hershey Kiss" markings on this snake!

Copperheads like to hide under leaves, bushes and any other debris.  They are very non-aggressive and would rather hide until a threat has passed.  However, a copperhead will bite if stepped on or provoked.  A bite from a copperhead is not necessarily life-threatening, but the victim should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

These snakes will feed on small mammals, frogs, lizards, birds, and even insects such as cicadas. These snakes  will strike and inject venom into their prey.  If the animal is too large for the snake to hold on to, it will simply release its prey and track its scent until it dies.

Coral snakes are some of the most colorful snakes in the United States.  This colorful snake has a combination of red, yellow, and black bands around its body. A good rhyme to use is, “If red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow.  If red touches black, you’re okay Jack”. Good to know!

Coral snakes are carnivorous and will mostly eat lizards, frogs and other reptiles. They will also occasionally feed on smaller snakes which makes them good to keep around.  When these snakes capture larger prey, they will eat it and then find a quiet resting place preferably underground.  Coral snakes have a slow digestion process, allowing them to go weeks without feeding again.

OUR SNAKE TRAPPING PROCESS!

1. Perform an onsite evaluation of the residential or commercial property involved
2. Determine the species of snake
3. Locate all the points of entry (If applicable)
4. Assess any potential locations for snake breeding or habitation
5. Seal any areas where snakes are able to breach
6. Provide a standard one year warranty on exclusion/repair work performed

During this consultation, we will discuss with the owner what it will take to

completely seal the property and begin the trapping process.

Our trapping process begins right after we perform the consultation with our client.

If you need snake removal in Memphis, contact us today.

We'll be happy to help!