The thought of a snake slithering around may be strong enough to send a shiver down your spine, especially when it’s unknowingly wiggling about in your own yard. To avoid crossing paths with one of these creepy critters, it’s important to recognize the signs of their trespassing. If you have round holes in your yard, you may just have snakes on your property!
Snake holes are a common signal that something scaly might be lurking nearby. Rather than performing their own excavation, snakes often occupy burrows that were once home to smaller rodents, like chipmunks, mice, and prairie dogs Therefore, it’s crucial to determine whether something other than a furry critter is living in the hole before taking action.
Having a professional wildlife inspection done is the best means of determining if a hole on your property is from snakes, or if it was created by another type if animal.
What Does a Snake Hole Look Like?
What do snake holes in the ground look like?
Snake holes are circular in shape and vary in size. Similar to the round holes in yards that are caused by moles, snake holes are commonly found embedded in the grass:
(Snake hole in yard)
Where else can you find snake holes?
Snake holes can also be located in trees or larger concrete cracks. It is not uncommon to find snake holes around the foundation of your property.
(Crack in foundation where a snake could easily sneak through)
The best way to determine if a snake is living in a hole or space is to physically see the snake lingering in your yard. Without actually seeing the creature, it is a bit more challenging to understand which pest is living in the holes in your yard.
Snake Holes in My Backyard: What Kind of Snakes am I Dealing With?
The kinds of snakes that are most likely slithering around your yard depends on what area of the country you live in. However, the most common types of snakes we deal with in the Varment Guard service area include:
Garter Snakes & Northern Water Snakes
These are among the most prevalent, non-venomous snakes found in North American backyards.
Garter Snakes stretch from 18-21 inches long and come in various colors and patterns, ranging from checkered turquoise to striped yellow, black, and brown They are typically found in meadows, woodlands, hillsides, and marshes.
(Garter snake in Louisiana)
Additionally, garter snakes may be perceived as a benefit to a homeowner’s garden as they perform as “natural pest control” by eating those pesky insects. Garter Snakes are not harmful to humans, nonetheless, some may carry a mild neurotoxic venom.
Northern water snakes can be anywhere between 24-42 inches in size. Generally, they have a brown and black spotted body and may be near areas with water (although, this isn’t always the case).
(Northern water snakes in Michigan)
Usually, Northern water snakes will travel away from water to search for hibernation spots, making your garden or backyard the perfect place to settle. Northern Water Snakes aren’t venomous, yet they are not afraid to bite if they feel threatened.
It is crucial that you don’t confuse the non-venomous Northern water snake with the poisonous Water Moccasin (the Cottonmouth). Both snakes look similar, but the Northern water snake is smaller and slenderer than the much larger water moccasin.
(The poisonous Water Moccasin snake in Florida)
Other common types of snakes and their locations:
- Common Kingsnake: These are black and white striped snakes commonly found in Arizona. These snakes are harmless and can be anywhere from 2 to 6 feet in length.
(Common Kingsnake in Arizona)
- Redbelly Snake: These are Minnesota’s smallest snakes. Redbelly snakes grow to be 8 to 10 inches and are brown or gray with a bright red belly.
(Redbelly snake in Minnesota)
- Rat Snakes: The black rat snake is Ohio’s largest snake species. These 6-foot long creatures are harmless, although they can be startling as they have a propensity for climbing trees. They have shiny black scales on their back and a lightly colored belly.
(Pair of rat snakes in Ohio)
How can I tell if it’s a snake hole in my yard? And how do I know if a snake hole is vacant?
If you have snake holes in your backyard and don’t know how long they’ve been there, you’re probably curious as to if there are still snakes occupying them. You can find out if a snake hole is vacant a few different ways:
- Look out for freshly shed snakeskin. This is a prime sign that there’s an animal living in the hole and that animal is a snake.
- Observe any snake feces. Snake feces are tubular with a dark coloring and white, chalky urine streaks covering some areas. There may be bones and fur within the feces as well. This is another way to determine that a snake is living in the hole.
- Check to see if there are spiderwebs or debris around the hole. If so, then the hole is most likely empty. If not, there may be a snake nearby. This is the best way to identify if a snake hole is empty.
If you want to actually see the snake for yourself, you’ll probably have to play the waiting game; there aren’t a lot of tips on how to lure a snake out of hiding. Snakes are cautious creatures and won’t emerge from their holes for a trap or snack. Patience is key!
(Snake hole in grass)
How do I cover a snake hole in my yard?
Snake holes found in the grass can be filled back in with dirt. However, covering the snake holes with wiring, netting, or burlap is more effective as it will prevent the snakes from returning to nests under a structure or porch. Remember to analyze the area for snakes first and use caution when placing the coverings over the snake hole.
However, if you feel uneasy covering snake holes yourself or can’t seem to get a handle on your snake problem, Varment Guard is here to help. Our expert snake removal technicians can quickly and safely get rid of snakes all while preventing them from coming back!
(Northern water snake)
Round Holes In Your Yard? Keep Snakes from Slithering onto Your Property!
If you have a plethora of snake holes in your yard or slithering serpents sneaking their way into your home, it’s time to get help from the professionals! The experts at Varment Guard can cover snake holes, remove snakes from your property, and prevent future snake infestations! Ready to get started? Contact Varment Guard today!
