Snakes strike fear into the hearts of many people across the world, but not all snakes are as deadly as they may seem. Copperheads are a prime example of this, and they’re one of the most common venomous snakes in North America. Copperheads don’t usually kill people with their bite, but their venom is still dangerous (and potentially lethal). That’s why it’s important to get rid of them if you see one on your property. If you want to get rid of copperhead snakes, you can start by trapping them with a snake trap and moving them to a more remote area.
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Are Copperhead Snakes Dangerous?
According to the National Capital Poison Center, copperhead snakes are venomous, but serious side effects from bites are uncommon. Their bites are painful but rarely fatal. This means that while copperheads are dangerous, they’re not one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Still, copperhead snakes are extremely common in the United States and account for around 65% of all snake envenomations, so they’re worth avoiding.
Where Do Copperhead Snakes Live?
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, northern copperheads primarily live in the southeastern United States. However, they have a very wide range, from Florida’s southern coast up to Massachusetts and all the way west to Nebraska.
How To Get Rid of Copperhead Snakes
Dealing with snakes is inherently risky, and if you plan on removing copperhead snakes yourself, you should take precautions. Read our snake safety guide to learn more about how to interact with snakes in a safe way. Snake removal isn’t for the faint of heart, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a pest control expert if you lack experience.
Before you get started with removing the snake, you’ll want to inspect it for yourself and make sure that it’s actually a copperhead.
Inspection
The first place to look for snake activity is under porches, patios, and crawl spaces. Snakes are commonly found in fall leaves, so it’s worth clearing any leaf litter to keep copperheads from making a home in your yard.
Other common snake hiding places include:
- Under yard trimmings
- In landscaping
- Under flat boards
- Under firewood stacks
- In tall weeds and shrubs
- Under or inside old tires
Once you identify the copperhead snake, it’s time to relocate it.
Today’s Homeowner Tips
Before relocating a snake, it’s always a good idea to check with your state’s wildlife regulations to determine safe release sites.
Try Waiting It Out
It may be worth it to see if the snake will move away on its own. For example, by removing any plywood, mulch, and other hiding places in your yard, it may seek cover elsewhere. While this may not be effective, it’s the easiest method for getting rid of copperhead snakes, so it’s worth a try.
Spray It With a Hose
Another technique for getting rid of snakes is to use a garden hose to gently encourage the snake to leave. By aiming a steady stream of water toward the animal, it may decide to move off. Just be sure to use low pressure to avoid injuring (or aggravating) the snake.
Catch It With a Snake Trap
While snake traps aren’t a very well-known method for pest control, they can still be effective. For example, glue traps can sometimes work to catch a wayward snake. However, don’t attempt to use mouse glue boards since they’re much too flimsy for snake removal.
Instead, use one of the best snake traps on the market. They have a deeper adhesive base and will hold up well to most snake species. Some traps are available up to eight feet in length, so you can find one for almost any kind of snake.
Manually Removing Copperhead Snakes
Never attempt snake relocation by yourself. Always have at least one handler and one assistant to ensure your safety. Once you have your team, follow these steps to remove a copperhead snake from your property:
You will need the following:
Gently grasp the snake with the tongs about one-third distance from its head. While it is held in place, slide the hook under the snake to carefully support its body. Make sure to get this part right because it’s an important detail that avoids injuring the animal.
Place the snake into the five-gallon container using one smooth, deliberate motion. Make sure it’s at the bottom of the bucket before releasing it.
Immediately after you place the snake in the container and the handler is clear, make sure the assistant secures the lid while using it as a shield against the snake.
Label the container “Danger: Venomous Snake.” You should also note the date and time of capture.
Releasing the Snake
Consider consulting with your local animal control office when deciding where to release a copperhead snake. Most states don’t have concrete laws concerning wildlife relocation, but some do, so it’s always best to check beforehand.
Once you pick a release location, carefully remove the lid of the bucket. Then, tip the bucket over to release the snake. If it doesn’t slither away immediately, give it a few more minutes. Otherwise, lift the bucket from the back using a hook or a pair of tongs.
Today’s Homeowner Tips
Always be careful when dealing with snakes. Copperhead bites aren’t normally deadly, but they’re always painful.
How to Keep Copperhead Snakes Away from Your Yard
Keeping animals out of your yard often takes more than just putting up a fence. If you want to keep copperheads away from your property, here are a few simple things you can do to stop them from moving in.
Cut off Food Sources
Just like most common yard pests, snakes move onto your property in search of food. Adult copperhead snakes eat mostly vertebrate animals, including:
- Frogs
- Birds
- Squirrels
- Mice
- Rats
Young copperhead snakes, on the other hand, prefer invertebrates, such as:
- Cicadas
- Spiders
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Millipedes
These are all common pests that most exterminators treat regularly. To limit the copperhead’s food source, it’s helpful to schedule regular pest control visits at least quarterly.
Limit Hiding Spots
Copperhead snakes may wander into your yard in search of a place to hide from predators. These snakes love hiding out in piles of leaves and mulch, so it’s best not to leave debris lying around. Copperheads will also hide under stacks of wood, so it’s good to keep woodpiles stacked tightly and away from your house. The same goes for lumber and other building materials as well.
Additionally, snakes love marshy environments, so yards with overgrown weeds, tall grass, and standing water are like magnets to copperheads. For that reason, it’s best to keep vegetation low and repair outdoor plumbing leaks.
Seal Openings Under Your House
During the summer months, snakes tend to slither into crawl spaces to keep cool. They can also find their way under your deck or porch when it turns cold outside to shelter from snow. To prevent copperhead snakes from getting under your house, you’ll have to seal off any crevices they could fit through.
To close off entry points to areas under your home, use tight wire mesh. Firmly attach it to your deck or porch with screws and press it flush with the ground to make sure that snakes can’t slither through it. For smaller cracks in concrete, use expansion foam.
Use Snake Repellants
Some of the best snake repellents use chemicals or essential oils to drive snakes away. Some of the most effective natural repellants are:
- Cinnamon oil
- Peppermint oil
- Lemongrass
- Marigold
Snake repellents, whether made from natural or chemical ingredients, have little scientific backing to support their efficacy. However, some users claim that they work, so they are at least worth a try.
How To Identify Copperhead Snakes
Copperheads have plenty of unique features, but to the untrained eye, they could be hard to recognize. The average adult copperhead snake is two to three feet long. These snakes have a pinkish tint with a copper-colored head, hence their name.
Copperheads display various crossbands on their scales, ranging from dark brown to red. They also have a unique hourglass shape to the color pattern on their back, which can help distinguish them from other snakes.
However, copperheads are commonly confused with rattlesnakes and cottonmouth snakes (also known as water moccasins) because of their light brown color. All three snakes are part of the Crotalinae family of pit vipers.
Causes of a Copperhead Snake Infestation
Like most common yard pests, copperhead snakes wander onto your property in search of food and shelter. Copperheads will seek out places to hide, such as leaf and mulch piles in your yard. They’ll also hide under sheds, decks, porches, trees, and shrubs.
Copperheads also seek out food, so if you have a lot of food sources on your property, they may make your yard their home base. Adult copperheads are primarily carnivores, eating mostly vertebrate critters, such as:
- Lizards
- Frogs
- Birds
- Squirrels
- Mice
- Rats
- Other snakes
If you have an excess of any of the creatures listed above, you may be susceptible to copperhead infestations.
Final Thoughts On Copperheads
Even though copperhead snake bites aren’t typically deadly, homeowners should exercise caution if they see one. The tips above can help you trap copperhead snakes or shoo them away, but DIY pest control methods aren’t the safest option when dealing with snakes. If you see a wild copperhead on your property and don’t have any experience removing snakes, I recommend calling animal control or a local pest control company.
Professional snake removal can cost a lot, but it’s worth every penny to be safe when dealing with venomous creatures. Connect with a local pest control expert below to get started on handling your copperhead snake problem today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do copperheads swim?
Copperheads aren’t water snakes, but they do have the ability to swim. They aren’t known for spending a lot of time in the water, but even so, they’re surprisingly great swimmers. Copperheads typically swim at the surface of the water with their heads raised. However, they can also go under water and stay submerged for long periods of time.
Are copperhead snakes the same as cottonmouth snakes?
No, copperheads are different than cottonmouth snakes. While both are similar, cottonmouth snakes (also known as water moccasins) are more deadly than copperheads. However, both snakes are part of the Crotalinae family of pit vipers.
What should I do if bitten by a copperhead?
If a copperhead snake bites you, your priority should be getting to a hospital emergency room. However, if you need to wait for an ambulance, there are a few things you can do in the meantime. Start by moving away from the snake and getting to a safe place. Then, remove any jewelry before swelling starts. If you’re near running water, clean the bite with soap and water. Then, cover it with a bandage.
Do baby copperheads have more potent venom than adults?
It’s a common misconception that baby copperhead snakes are more deadly since they can’t control the amount of venom they release with each bite. However, that’s a myth. According to Morehead State Public Radio, baby copperheads can control their venom from birth. Also, they have the same amount of venom as adult copperheads, so they’re no more or less deadly than the older snakes.
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