by TRIND Design
Share
With spring right around the corner, February is the perfect time for Alabama homeowners to prepare for snake season. As temperatures warm, snakes become active, with some species emerging as early as March. Understanding the most common snake hiding places on your property is the first step in preventive measures and safety.
With a natural drive for survival, snakes are constantly searching for a food source and seeking shelter in areas with coverage. As cold-blooded reptiles, snakes serve as nature’s pest control, making them an important species that keep ecosystems in balance. Whether you’re a snake fan or your skin crawls thinking about the critters that slither, it’s essential to be prepared for potential encounters and know the common places they may be found on your property.
Thick Shrubbery and Overgrown Vegetation
Snakes typically seek shelter in areas that include some sort of shielding, like heavy vegetation, leaf piles or untrimmed bushes. Where there is shelter, there is usually a food source for snakes as well. This includes rodents, insects, amphibians, fish and even chickens and their eggs.
With colors that allow them to camouflage into their surroundings, snakes are hard to see at first glance. The old saying, “If it was a snake, it would have bit you,” rings especially true in sheltered areas around your home. Thick shrubbery provides snakes with a shady place to cool down and sneak up on prey nesting among the grass.
February Snake Prevention Tips:
Clear debris and fallen leaves
Trim overgrown bushes and shrubs to reduce hiding spots
Cut grass short and continue to do so monthly through the active season (March-October)
Following these preventive tips will decrease the chances of a snake hiding on your property.
Stored Equipment and Yard Items
Snakes are opportunistic and will take shelter under or inside virtually any object that provides cover and shade. Mowers and tractors, stacked firewood, children’s toys and play equipment and outdoor recreational gear all create ideal hiding spots. Metal objects such as tin sheets, tarps and unused materials are particularly attractive, due to warmth and moisture retention, aiding snakes in body temperature regulation and digestion. This is why snake hunters often refer to their search method as “flipping tin”—snakes frequently shelter beneath these types of surfaces.
To minimize snake encounters, store equipment in enclosed sheds when possible, elevate firewood stacks off the ground and regularly inspect items before handling them. Keeping your yard organized and free of unnecessary clutter significantly reduces the number of available hiding places for snakes.
Crawl Space and Foundation Areas
Snakes are opportunistic and will take shelter under or inside virtually any object that provides cover and shade. Mowers and tractors, stacked firewood, children’s toys and play equipment and outdoor recreational gear all create ideal hiding spots. Metal objects such as tin sheets, tarps and unused materials are particularly attractive, due to warmth and moisture retention, aiding snakes in body temperature regulation and digestion. This is why snake hunters often refer to their search method as “flipping tin”—snakes frequently shelter beneath these types of surfaces.
To minimize snake encounters, store equipment in enclosed sheds when possible, elevate firewood stacks off the ground and regularly inspect items before handling them. Keeping your yard organized and free of unnecessary clutter significantly reduces the number of available hiding.
Bodies of Water
Snakes are also commonly found near bodies of water such as creeks, rivers, streams, swamps and lakes. Smaller water sources on or around your property, including rain puddles, bird baths and pools, also attract snakes.
If your yard features a natural or artificial water source, snakes may be drawn to it as they need water to survive. Wet environments also harbor an abundance of food sources and supply needed hydration. Aquatic snakes such as cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are one of the six venomous snakes in Alabama found near or in water. When swimming in a lake or body of water, keep eyes open for snakes gliding by and steer clear of banks with heavy shrubbery.
Professional Snake Solutions For Alabama Homeowners
If you need professional help with snake identification or removal, Go Pro Wildlife Removal is here to assist you. Our team is educated on local snake species, helping you determine if a snake on your property poses a threat and the best next course of action. We also offer preventive solutions like crawl space exclusions to keep snakes from sheltering under your home. Contact Go Pro Wildlife Removal today to schedule an inspection and ensure your property is prepared for snake season.
Enjoy A Wildlife-Free Winter With Chimney Caps
When was the last time you thought about your chimney? As the holiday season approaches, families turn to their fireplace for warmth, sending smoke up their chimney that likely has not been used in months. Read our latest blog to learn more about why an unprotected chimney could spell trouble this winter.
Contact Info
Contact Go Pro today! We offer wildlife removal solutions in Auburn, Opelika, Lake Martin, Valley, Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA areas.
Phone: (334) 744-0391
Hours: Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
