The best places to search for a rattlesnake den are dark and cool areas, like animal burrows, underneath rocks or logs, and even your own porch. Just be careful and avoid any sudden movements! If you suspect a den nearby, but are not sure, look for snake skins.
If you find a dry, scaly sheet of the skin or a crumpled heap somewhere close to an entrance into the walls of your home or small space areas. If you are inspecting a dusty area or crawl space, you might notice slither tracks that indicate where a snake has traveled. Snakes have a distinctive smell that is noticeable.
While in these environments, snakes may seek shelter in tree hollows, under logs, leaf litter, underground holes, rock outcroppings and/or burrows that have been abandoned by other animals.
A snake nest can also be called a den or a pit. However, a den means there should be more than one snake in it. So, since most snakes are nonsocial solitary creatures and generally don't gather together, except during winter, we should stick to calling their home a nest. Do All Snakes Have Nests?
Too much landscape water may attract prey species such as worms, slugs and frogs, which in turn may attract snakes seeking a meal. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and away from your home and garage, and keep branches off the ground.
These holes can be found embedded in grass, in piles of dirt or sand, or under piles of logs or sticks. Snake hole openings are circular but can range in diameter and depth due to the snake's size. There are a few things to look out for that can help determine if there are (or were) snakes living in the hole.
In addition to hiding in tall grass, snakes will hide in yard debris. Tall grasses and shrubs are two ideal hiding spots for these reptiles. They also tend to hide away in storage sheds, piles of wood, or in fallen branches and limbs.
Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.
When it's cooler, snakes are typically out moving. Just because you see one does not mean there are more. If you see 6+ babies or adults in the same location in a short amount of time, then you have a problem.
A snake den may contain dozens to hundreds of serpents. The garter snake spends the winter in a group with other garter snakes. A garter snake den can contain hundreds of these snakes at one time. Alternatively, a rattlesnake den may have a few more than 20 snakes in it.
Snake activity picks up as temperatures fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation, which can be as early as September or as late as December. On warm days, snakes in brumation sometimes come out of their dens to bask in the sunshine.
Snakes will return to the same den year after year, and they even coil up with other species – it is not uncommon to see a non-venomous western racer snake emerge in the spring alongside the rattlers. Rattlesnakes Bear Live Babies.
When snakes excrete waste, it is actually a mixture of feces and urine that looks white and is more of a liquid than a solid, much like bird droppings. The pests' waste may contain bones, hair, scales, and other indigestible materials leftover from meals.
During the cold months, rattlesnakes conserve their energy in dens. During the warm months, the snakes are attracted to warm and dry spots. They usually find a shady spot during the hottest time of the day and venture out to hunt during cooler morning and evening periods.
Snakes will move on once they've exhausted the food source, so unless you have a never-ending rodent population, they're likely not to hang around your yard forever.
Having some snakes in your yard is a great sign that you have a healthy environment. Snakes are members of the basic food chain to help control unwanted pests and supply food for larger predators like birds. Harmless snakes may even eat venomous snakes, further ensuring a safe yard.
In the United States, snake season extends through most of the spring. March or April often constitutes the beginning, but snakes will often continue to be active well into the fall or even winter if conditions are right for hunting.
However, like most pets, they can accidentally find their way into your home at any time. Because snakes rarely nest, getting rid of one in your yard or home can be as simple as waiting it out. Once the weather changes or the snake is in need of food, it will usually leave on its own.
Vinegar: Vinegar is effective at repelling snakes near bodies of water including swimming pools. Pour white vinegar around the perimeter of any body of water for a natural snake repellent.
While it is true that snakes often hide in holes, they do not construct their holes themselves -- these are primarily the former holes of rodents, turtles and frogs. Additionally, snakes hide inside tree hollows, or under the leaf litter, rocks or bark.