Have you recently encountered a copperhead snake in your backyard?
Copperheads rock unique patterns and coloration, which makes them quite stunning and impressive. But behind its beauty lies a monster that can deliver a painful bite.
And the worse part? These snakes can add your chickens and their eggs to their menu. Also, they can attack and bite your favorite pet, whether it’s your dog or cat.
So, what’s the solution?
It’s simple! Homeowners should learn how to identify and eradicate copperhead snakes from their property and keep their families safe. Fortunately, we got you covered.
This article highlights the most effective and safest methods to keep your property snake-free. Join us, as we dive deeper into this topic.
What Are Copperhead Snakes?
Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) are pit vipers native to North America. But you can also find these rattlesnakes cousins in the Southern, Central, and Eastern United States.
They get their name from their bronze-hued heads. But you should not confuse them with Australian copperheads and sharp-nosed pit vipers. Even though these snakes are often referred to copperheads, they are a different species.
So, how can you identify a copperhead snake?
Here are a few traits associated with copperhead snakes that make them stand out:
- Thick bodies with keeled scales
- Hourglass-shaped markings or stripes
- Young copperheads are gray, but as they mature, their tails become copper-colored
- Heat-sensory organs in between their eye and nostril
- Fangs proportion to body length
- Triangular-shaped head with vertical pupils
- They can grow up to a length of 2 to 3 feet (24 to 36 inches), with some reaching 4 feet (48 inches
In addition, copperheads thrive in a wide range of habitats. However, they prefer residing in mountains, shrubs near streams, canyons, rocky terrains, and desert oases.
On top of that, these venomous snakes are tolerant to habitat alteration. That means they can survive well in urban and suburban areas.
So, it’s no surprise to find these snakes living in abandoned farm buildings, old construction sites, or under sawdust piles. Sometimes, they might venture into your yard, seeking shelter and food.
Are Copperhead Snakes Venomous?
Yes! However, copperhead snakes’ venom is not the most potent. And their bites are rarely life-threatening. However, the snake bite can prove fatal for children, elders, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Even worse, their bite can cause excruciating pain and get infected if left untreated. Therefore, enhance your loved ones’ safety by keeping these pesky intruders at bay.
Natural Methods to Get Rid of Copperhead Snakes
Copperhead snakes are elusive and masters of camouflage, which makes it difficult to spot them, but not impossible. To ensure the safety of your surroundings, check the following safe and ethical methods to get rid of copperheads.
1. Get Rid of Their Prey
Copperheads often prey on several animals and insects, including swamp rabbits, mice, birds, and grasshoppers. So, if your home harbors these creatures, it might attract these vipers.
Thank goodness, you can keep these snakes at bay by eliminating potential prey in your yard. Without a food source, copperhead snakes are unlikely to stay around.
2. Keep Bird and Pet Feeders Away
Copperheads can be attracted to the scent and feeding activity of your birds and pets because they make an easy meal. But you can keep these snakes off your property by relocating these feeders to a more open space.
Keep in mind, snakes often avoid human confrontation. So, keeping bird and pet feeders away can allow you and your feathery or furry companions to enjoy the great outdoors with no worry of danger.
3. Trim Your Lawn and Avoid Overwatering
Copperhead snakes often reside in areas with abundant hiding spots, like overgrown yards and weed-filled gardens. Since these areas also attract potential prey (such as mice, rats, and lizards), snakes might find them more suitable for nesting.
If you keep your grass at a uniform length and remove weeds in your lawn and garden, you can eliminate concealed spots. As a result, you can reduce the chances of copperhead encounters in your field.
Keeping your lawn well-maintain also discourages potential prey from seeking shelter in your property.
Additionally, avoid cases of overwatering since too much water on your lawn can create a perfect environment for unwelcome visitors.
The excess water promotes accelerated growth of grass on the lawn, creating a place for snakes and other intruders to hide. But you can avoid this by watering your lawn sparingly.
4. Use Vinegar
Vinegar repels snakes and other pests. You can therefore use it to keep them away from your yard or counter their attack when outdoors.
If you spot a copperhead near your house or on the lawn, put a container of vinegar near the area. The acidic nature and sharp scent of vinegar will drive the viper away.
5. Grow Copperhead Repellent Plants
Certain plants produce strong scents which can repel slithering creatures, including copper heads. These plants can therefore offer you the simplest way to keep your home and its environs viper-free.
But what exactly are these plants?
- Mother-in-law’s tongue/Snake Plant: It’s not exactly clear why snakes hate this plant. Maybe it’s the plant’s sharp leaf edges or they are just natural enemies. Either way, copperheads tend to avoid this plant.
- Lemongrass: Native to Southern India and Sri Lanka, Lemongrass has a strong citrusy smell that repels slithering reptiles. So, if you live in a warm climatic zone, grow this grass and keep snakes and other harmful pests at bay.
- Basil: Commonly known as clove basil, this plant produces a potent scent that can keep snakes away. In fact, some people mix basil with essential oils from cloves and paper mint and spray around their backyard to deter snakes.
- Marigold: It’s no secret that the bright yellow-orange flowers of marigold plants can add a sense of beauty and color to your yard. But did you know the same plant can keep copperheads away? Marigold’s dense roots release alpha-terthienyl, a photo toxin to the soil which has a scent that vipers and rodents detest.
- Snakeroot Plants: Indian snakeroot or devil pepper is another great copperhead snake repellent. The plant has chemical compounds like tremetol and reserpine that are harmful to snakes.
6. Install a Snake Proof Fence
A fence might not sound like the most preferred snake-deterring solution, but you might be surprised. Snake-proof fences designed from aluminum and galvanized wire mesh or hardware cloth can keep away copper heads from hurting them.
Just ensure the mesh or hardware cloth has small weave openings to prevent snakes from squeezing through.
It also helps to install the fence at an angle of 30⁰ to limit the snakes’ ability to climb over it. As for the depth, bury the fence at least 10 inches underground to ensure the copperhead will not crawl underneath it.
7. Use Snake Traps
Snake traps provide you with the most effective way to catch and remove snakes from your property.
These traps usually come in different sizes and designs. For example, glue traps feature an adhesive pad, which traps crawling creatures, like snakes.
You can later transport the trapped copperhead to a safe place and release it. Simply pour some vegetable oil onto the sticky surface, and the adhesive will loosen, letting the snake slip away.
Other Methods to Get Rid of Copperhead Snakes
On top of the techniques above, you can use the strategies below to keep snakes away from your yard.
8. Use Organic Essential Oils
Several types of essential oils can effectively keep snakes at bay. You only need to apply them to areas often frequented by these reptiles.
The best essential oils to deter copperhead snakes include:
- Cinnamon oil
- Clove oil
- Garlic and onion oil
9. Naphthalene Moth Balls
Made of naphthalene (a toxic chemical to vipers and other pests), these mothballs can help you repel copperheads. Just place them in areas with frequent copperhead snake activity.
10. Seek Professional Help
What if the above solutions fail?
Contact your local wildlife department or pest control company. Professionals from these organizations can come to your home, locate the snake and relocate it to a new and safe area.
This is arguably the best way to keep copperhead off your home, as you don’t get exposed to any dangers.
Get Rid of Copperheads and Keep Your Home Safe
From this piece, its clean copperheads venture into yards and gardens in search of food, water, and shelter. That means, if your property offers the most suitable environment, these slithering reptiles might establish a camp there.
Sure! These creatures might help you control other pests, like rats and mice. But it’s hard to deny that they are dangerous. These snakes can bite when scared or threatened. And you don’t want that because their bite can cause unbearable pain and sometimes infections.
The methods above will help you get rid of copperheads and prevent future invasions. So, use them to keep your property copperhead-free and enhance your family’s safety.
In case of any queries or concerns, tell us in the comment box.