Large
exotic snake. Description: Occasional large exotic snakes do occur.
Only professionals in wildlife handling should be enlisted. Photographer: Ed Carrow photo
Sign
Snakes usually make their presence known in one of two ways:
Visualized
Snake skins
Damage
Snakes are generally beneficial. Small snakes eat insects,
arthropods, earthworms, mollusks; large species eat small mammals,
nestling or adult birds.
Garter snakes can eat minnows.
Photo at left. Bull
snake eating eggs of mallard duck Photographer: NEBRASKALAND
Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Comm.
Phobias: Most problems with snakes come from human fear of them. Many people react to snakes at a visceral level. We strongly encourage people to increase their understanding of snakes to help
them reduce those fears which are not supported by the facts.
Exclusion: snakes don't gnaw into buildings.
They can only exploit an opening that is already present.
seal openings or use mesh fence of 1/4 inch;
install a fence barrier around an area you wish to keep
snake free. Click for
snake
barrier information.
Reduce snake friendly habitat:
mow or remove vegetation
remove debris, rock & woodpiles,
reduce rodent prey
Repellents
Several products are on the market. However, evidence supporting
their effectiveness has had mixed results.
Trapping
Several glue-based traps are on the market. These are very effective in capturing snakes and allow for release as well. Trapping is only effective if the weather is warm enough for snake movement and if traps are properly located.
