How To Get Rid Of Copperhead Snakes

If you’ve spotted a copperhead snake in your yard or garden, your first thought is probably how to get rid of copperhead snakes safely. These venomous snakes can be a serious concern, especially if you have children, pets, or simply enjoy spending time in your outdoor space. Don’t panic. With the right knowledge and a calm approach, you can make your property less inviting and handle any encounters without harm to you or the snake.

This guide will walk you through safe, effective, and humane methods. We’ll focus on prevention first, as that is the most reliable long-term strategy. Then, we’ll cover what to do if you see one, and when to call a professional. Your safety is the top priority.

Removal isn’t just about dealing with the snake in front of you; it’s about changing your environment so they don’t want to be there in the first place. Copperheads are looking for three things: food, shelter, and water. If you can limit these, you’ll have far fewer problems.

Step 1: Remove Their Food Sources

Copperheads eat small rodents, insects, frogs, and other small creatures. A yard full of mice is a copperhead buffet. By controlling these prey animals, you remove the main reason snakes visit.

Keep trash cans tightly sealed with locking lids.
Use rodent-proof containers for bird seed, pet food, and grass seed. Don’t leave pet food bowls outside overnight.
Set traps for mice and voles around sheds, woodpiles, and garden borders.
Reduce insect populations by fixing leaky faucets and removing standing water, which also cuts down on frogs and toads.

Step 2: Eliminate Hiding Places and Shelter

Copperheads are ambush predators that rely on camouflage. They hide in clutter and dense cover to avoid detection and to stay cool. A tidy yard is a less appealing yard to a snake.

Clear away piles of leaf litter, brush, and fallen branches.
Store firewood, lumber, and building materials on a rack at least 18 inches off the ground and away from your house.
Keep grass mowed short and trim back overgrown vegetation from fences, foundations, and walkways.
Seal off entry points to crawl spaces under decks, porches, and sheds with sturdy 1/4-inch hardware cloth, buried a few inches into the soil.

Step 3: Modify Your Garden and Landscaping

Some common landscaping features create perfect snake habitat. With a few changes, you can make your garden beautiful for you and uninviting for them.

Avoid using thick ground covers like ivy or pachysandra near the house. Opt for shorter, well-maintained plants instead.
Use gravel, mulch, or other open materials that don’t provide deep cover. Keep mulch layers thin.
Place bird feeders away from the house. Spilled seed attracts rodents, which attract snakes.
Consider installing a snake-proof fence around a specific area, like a children’s play yard. It should be made of fine mesh, slant outward at a 30-degree angle, and be buried several inches deep.

Plants That May Help Deter Snakes

While no plant is a foolproof repellent, some strong-smelling varieties are believed to be disliked by snakes. They can be part of your overall strategy. These include marigolds, lemongrass, garlic, and society garlic. Plant them around borders and entry points.

What to Do When You See a Copperhead

If you encounter a copperhead, stay calm. They are not aggressive and will usually try to escape. Most bites occur when someone accidentally steps on one or tries to kill it.

Stop and Keep Your Distance. Give the snake at least 6 feet of space. Do not approach it.
Keep Pets and Children Away. Bring them inside or to a safe area immediately.
Let It Move On. Often, if given a clear escape route, the snake will simply leave on its own.
Do Not Try to Kill It. This is when you are most likely to get bitten. It’s also unnecessary and often illegal to kill native snakes in many areas.
Hose It From a Distance. If the snake is in a spot where it cannot be left alone (like a patio), a gentle spray from a garden hose will often encourage it to move along.

When and How to Use Professional Removal

Sometimes, the safest option is to call an expert. This is especially true if the snake is inside your home, if you have a recurring infestation, or if you’re simply uncomfortable dealing with it.

Look for a licensed wildlife removal specialist or a herpetologist. Your local animal control may also provide this service.
A professional will safely capture and relocate the snake to a suitable habitat far from human dwellings.
They can also perform a thorough property inspection to identify and seal entry points you might have missed.

What NOT to Do: Myths and Ineffective Methods

There’s a lot of bad advice out there. Avoid these common mistakes, which are wasteful, cruel, or even dangerous.

Commercial Snake Repellents: Products like mothballs or sonic spikes are largely ineffective. Mothballs are also toxic to children, pets, and wildlife.
Raising Predators: Getting a cat or dog to kill snakes is unreliable and puts your pet at risk of a venomous bite.
Home Remedies: Spreading substances like lime, sulfur, or ammonia has little proven effect and can harm your soil and plants.
Trapping: Glue traps are inhumane and indiscriminate, often catching birds, lizards, and other beneficial animals.

Living Alongside Native Snakes

It’s important to remember that copperheads are a native part of the ecosystem. They control rodent populations effectively. In many cases, total eradication is neither possible nor desirable. The goal should be coexistence through smart management, making your immediate living space less attractive so they stay in the wider wild areas where they belong. A seen snake in your garden is often just passing through on its way to a more suitable home.

FAQ: Copperhead Snake Removal

What time of day are copperheads most active?

Copperheads are primarily nocturnal during the hot summer months. In spring and fall, they may be active during the day. Be extra cautious when walking in overgrown areas at night.

What should I do if I get bitten by a copperhead?

Remain as calm as possible. Call 911 or get to a hospital immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, suck out the venom, or apply ice. Keep the bitten area still and positioned at or slightly below heart level. Try to remember the snake’s appearance for identification.

Are there any non-venomous snakes that look like copperheads?

Yes! Several harmless snakes, like the corn snake or milk snake, are often mistaken for copperheads. The copperhead has distinctive, hourglass-shaped bands that are wider on the sides and narrower across the back, and a coppery-tan head. When in doubt, assume it’s venomous and keep your distance.

Will copperheads come into my house?

It’s uncommon but possible, usually through an open door or a hole in a foundation. They are seeking prey like mice. The best prevention is to seal cracks and control rodents inside your home. If one gets inside, call a professional for removal right away.

What attracts copperhead snakes to my property?

The main attractants are dense ground cover (like ivy or wood piles), abundant rodent populations, and reliable water sources like ponds or leaky spigots. They also like stone walls and rock piles that offer shelter and a place to thermoregulate.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelyhood of a copperhead taking up residence in your garden. The key is consistency—maintaining a clean, open landscape is an ongoing task. Start with the easiest fixes, like cleaning up wood piles and securing trash, and work your way through the list. Your garden should be a place of relaxation, not worry, and with these strategies, it can be. If you ever feel unsafe, never hesitate to pick up the phone and call a proffesional. They have the tools and experience to handle the situation swiftly.