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Snake Removal, Snake Control & Snake Trapping In Virginia

(804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383

 

Snake Removal, Snake Trapping & Snake Control in Virginia. Our specially trained Richmond VA Snake Removal, Snake Control & Snake Trapping Experts know the fear and urgency home owners experience whenever they encounter a snake in VA. For that reason, we give snake removal service calls throughout Virginia top priority. We are experts at Virginia Wildlife Management and Control whether your problem is Northern Water Snakes around your pond, Copperhead snakes in your yard or Black Rat Snakes in your attic. Not only are we Virginia snake experts, but we also remove animals such as bats, beavers, birds, foxes, groundhogs, mice, moles, opossums, raccoons, rats, snakes, skunks, squirrels, voles and more. If you have a nuisance animal problem in your home or business we can safely and humanely solve your wildlife problem. We provide wildlife control ASAP.

Most people in Central Virginia have a deep phobia when it comes to ALL snakes. The mere mention of the word “SNAKE” evokes an emotional response. It may be wonder, exhilaration, shock, or even fear. Many of these responses occur because snakes appear and behave unlike any other animal we know. Others are deeply rooted in tales and myths that give them extraordinary powers and abilities. Regardless of their source, misconceptions about snakes have made them among the most persecuted of all animals. A common reaction to a snake in Virginia is to kill it on site whether or not it poses a danger. However, the fact is that most species in Virginia are harmless, and even dangerous ones would rather flee them fight. Once we begin to learn about Virginia’s snakes, we can replace our misconceptions with facts and our fears with curiosity, and we can begin to appreciate their important roles in our environment.

Snakes are reptiles and belong to the same group of animals as lizards, turtles, and crocodiles. Reptiles have dry scales that are shed periodically. Sometimes confused reptiles, amphibians such as frogs and salamanders always like scales and most have moist skin. Unlike mammals and birds, reptiles cannot generate their own body heat and depend on outside sources to raise their body temperature. This trait obligates them to wait out long periods of extensive cold and hot conditions like those we experience in Richmond and other areas of Virginia, a habit that contributes to their secretive nature.

They are different from other reptiles by having no legs, ears, or eyelids, and by possessing only one functional long (the right one). The most notable characteristic of the snake is its extremely long, slender body. A snake’s body allows it to effortlessly climb, swim, and slip into the smallest of spaces. Although they lack ears and cannot technically hear, they do have the ability to detect low-frequency vibrations from the air and ground. Instead of eyelids, snakes have a clear scale covering each eye. The shedding of this scale causes the eye to cloud over for a few days, which probably led to the myth that they go blind during certain times of the year.

Virginia Snake Identification Tips

Virginia’s snake species exhibit a wide variety of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. Anyone can identify most species by learning a few basic features. As a general rule for proper identification, it is better to use a combination of characters instead of one. You will find that patterns on their back and belly will aid in identification.

When trying to identify a snake, you will probably go directly to the photographs. Remember that each photograph represents only one specimen and does not account for the tremendous variation that occurs within many snake species in VA. The information accompanying each snake picture will describe these variations and any other distinguishing characteristics. The young of some snake species appear distinctly different from the adults. In these cases, and accompanying photograph and description will help in identification.

The most important identifying characteristics to learn are the differences between venomous and non-venomous snake species. Twenty-seven (27) of Virginia’s snake species are nonvenomous and characterized by small, curved teeth, two rows of scales underneath the tail, and round pupils. They range in size from the 10-inch southeastern crowned snake to the 80-inch rat snake.

The Timber Rattlesnake, Copperhead snake, and Cottonmouth snake (also known as a Water Moccasin snake) are the only venomous snake species in Virginia. They are collectively known as pit vipers. The “pit” is a heat-sensing organ used to detect birds and small mammals. It appears as a small hole between the eye and nostril on each side of the head. All pit vipers are heavy-bodied and have vertical cat-like pupils, a single row of scales underneath the tail, and a pair of large, hollow fangs. Although all of Virginia’s venomous snake species have a distinctly broadened head relative to their neck, some nonvenomous snake species also share this trait. Thus, “head wider than neck” is not a useful way of determining whether a snake is venomous. Because a snake bite for a distance up to half its body length, you should keep a safe distance when attempting to identify these animals.

Scale type is a useful characteristic to use for identifying a particular snake. Snake scales come in two varieties, smooth and keeled. Keeled scales have a distinctive ridge running lengthwise on their mid-portion. Smooth scales are flat and lack this feature. Some snakes like the timber rattlesnake and northern water snake have distinctly-keeled scales, whereas the rat snake has weakly-keeled scales. All three of Virginia’s venomous snakes have keeled scales, as do many nonvenomous species. The best place to determine scale shape and texture is along the back near the tail.

Many snakes in Virginia are limited to a small section of the Commonwealth while others occur statewide. A good example is the venomous cottonmouth, which is often confused with the nonvenomous northern watersnake. The cottonmouth occurs only in the southeastern portion of the state of Virginia, but the northeastern water snake occurs statewide throughout Virginia. A snake observed in waters outside of southeastern Virginia is very likely to be a nonvenomous snake.

Facts About Snakes Founds in Virginia & the World

Common Questions Involving Snakes in Virginia

Q: Aren’t snakes slimy?
A: No. A snake’s skin is covered with dry scales that are not slimy even when wet.

Q: Is a snake’s tongue dangerous?
A: No. Snakes cannot smell odors through their nostrils, but they do use their tongues to taste odors. The tip of each fork picks up particles from the air and ground. The tips then touch a special tissue in the roof of the mouth that determines the source of each odor.

Q: Can a snake bite underwater?
A: Yes. Both the venomous and nonvenomous snakes can bite underwater to obtain prey and for defense.

Q: Can you age a rattlesnake by counting the number of rattle segments?
A: No. A new rattle segment is added each time a rattlesnake sheds. Shedding can occur one to several times a year. Therefore, the number of segments is an accurate estimate of a snake’s age.

Q: Do nonvenomous rat snakes crossbreed with venomous copperheads?
A: No. It is impossible for rat snakes to produce living offspring from mating with a venomous snake because they are genetically incompatible.

Q: Do snakes chase people?
A: No, but it may sometimes appear so. When a snake advances towards someone, it is usually because the snake is trying to escape into a known hiding place and you are between it and the snake. On occasion, a snake may swim toward people in the water if vibrations appear to the snake to come from suitable prey or if a boat or raft represents a place to seek shelter.

Q: Will a snake that was just killed wiggle to sundown?
A: No. Snakes function largely by reflex nerve action. When one is killed, there is enough energy left in the nerves to stimulate muscles for a short time after death. The length of time varies for several reasons, but sundown has nothing to do with it.

Q: Do all snakes float on water?
A: No. Most snakes, like the northern water snake, rest with their head and a small portion of the neck out of the water; the body trails beneath the water’s surface. Only the venomous cottonmouth can float. When resting, the head and most the body float on the water, with only the tail dangling below the surface.

Q: Do snakes hypnotized their prey?
A: No. A snake’s stare results from the fact that they have no movable eyelids. Snakes are also very patient predators that will move very slowly toward their prey waiting for it to come within reach.

Q: Do snakes make sounds?
A: Yes. Although snakes lack a voice box, two species in Virginia, the hog-nosed snake and pine snake, can hiss loud enough to scare a predator.

Q: Do any other snakes beside rattlesnakes have the ability to make a rattle sound?
A: Yes. Many large snake species including the king snake, rat snake, racer, milk snake, copperhead, and cottonmouth will vibrate their tail quickly in dry leaves to make a rattle sound.

Q: Can I die from a snakebite?
A: Yes, if bitten by a venomous snake. Remain calm – a snakebite is rarely fatal. Do not drink alcohol or apply a constrictive tourniquet or ice to the wound. Identify the snake if it will not put you at risk or waste valuable time. Keep the bitten body part immobilized and if possible level with the heart. Seek immediate medical attention. An immediate visit to the nearest hospital is the best treatment for a venomous snake bite.

Q: How do I get rid of snakes in my Virginia home?
A: The key to getting rid of snakes from your Richmond home is sealing up all the entry points and eliminating the major food sources including mice, spiders, crickets and other insects that inhabit your home. This should be done by a professional wildlife company.

Q: What are some of the common venomous snakes in Central Virginia?
A: Venomous snakes in Virginia include the timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth (water moccasin), and copperhead snake. Other more common nonvenomous snakes in Virginia include the black racer snake, rat snake, brown snake, ring-necked snake, worm snake, garter snake and northern water snake.

Q: How do I trap or catch a snake?

A: In most cases, snake removal and control in Central Virginia should be left to Wildlife Control Technicians who has the necessary tools, training and skills to safely solve your snake problem in VA. They have the ability to humanely remove the snake while protecting you and your loved ones.

Q. How Do I Get Rid of Snakes?

A. Snake removal in VA is not for the untrained or faint of heart, but if you insist on trapping and removing snakes yourself we provide the details here on How Do I Get Rid Of Snakes.  Remember that any snake bite can be serious, even from nonvenomous snakes. If you are bitten by any snake, we recommend that you seek medical treatment immediately.

Our Virginia Snake Removal Services

If you see a snake in your home or on your property stay calm and contact one of our snake removal technicians in Virginia. Try not to lose site of the snake, it will help us in the removal process. Do not try to handle the snake, this can lead to being bitten by the snake. Don’t kill the snake – they are good for the environment and help keep rats and mice populations in Richmond VA under control.

I Have a Snake in My Yard – What Do I Do?

Stay calm. DO NOT approach or try to handle the snake. Try to keep the snake under constant observation until a Richmond VA snake removal professional arrives, but only if you can do it safely. Once you lose sight of the snake it can often be difficult to locate.

I Have a Snake in My House – What Do I Do?

Snake removal from a house is a very common call in the Henrico, Glen Allen, Richmond, Midlothian, and Charlottesville areas of Central Virginia. Most snakes that enter homes and garages are looking for a food source. If you have a snake in your garage or home you should contact a professional snake removal company to make recommendations to solve the problem completely. It is important to remember that simply removing the snake WILL NOT SOLVE YOUR SNAKE PROBLEM! A snake’s food source must be removed and all possible entry points sealed.

Choosing the Right Snake Removal, Snake Control and Snake Trapping Company in Virginia

Animal Removal Wildlife Control Operators understand a snake in a Virginia home is an emergency that cannot wait until the next day. Snake removal is dangerous and should only be done by a trained wildlife removal professional. Virginia’s three most dangerous venomous snakes include the timber rattlesnake, Eastern Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin), and Northern Copperhead. These dangerous snakes can cause serious injury and even death. Venomous and nonvenomous snakes are commonly found in homes, commercial properties, and industrial areas of Virginia. If you encounter a snake you should immediately distance yourself from the snake. If possible, keep visual contact on the snake and call a VA snake removal expert to remove the snake from your home or business.

Our VA Snake Removal, Snake Control & Snake Trapping Experts can solve any snake problem including copperhead snakes in the home, snakes in a business, snakes in the attic, snakes in the crawl space, snakes in the basement, snakes in the kitchen, snakes in the house, snakes in the walls, snakes in the ceiling, snakes in the shed, snakes in the garage, snakes in the yard, snakes in the woodpile and all other nuisance problems found throughout all of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia including the cities, towns and communities of Henrico, Short Pump, Glen Allen, Ashland, Hanover, Mechanicsville, Chesterfield, Midlothian, Chester, Bon Air, Midlothian, Brandermill and Woodlake VA. Our animal removal experts can solve any type of pest animal problem throughout Richmond Virginia.

Snake Traps

Snake traps are an effective tool in getting rid of snakes in Henrico, Glen Allen, Richmond, Midlothian, and Charlottesville Virginia homes. The trick to successful snake trapping requires that the proper type of snake trap be used and that the trap is set in a location that increases the chances of removing the snake.

Snake traps should never be used by untrained persons. This could result in an unwanted snake bite.

Snake Deterrents

People always want to know the best way to deter snakes. There are many things that can be done to lessen the chances of you having snakes on your property. Generally, it involves habitat modification to eliminate potential food sources and shelter for snakes.

How To Get Rid Of Snakes

Getting rid of snakes is best left to professional wildlife companies. They have the proper skills and training to accurately identify the snake to determine if it is venomous or non-venomous and know how to safely get rid of the snake without getting bit. The last thing anyone wants is a snake bite which could result in a trip to the emergency room. Our wildlife removal technicians know how to get rid of snakes safely and humanely.

Snake Nests

We are often contacted by people claiming to have found a snake nest in their yard. Snakes don’t build nests in the way that most people think. I have created a great article on snake nests if you want additional information.

Snake Repellents

Most snake repellents purchased by home owners are ineffective in getting rid of snakes. Almost all of them contain mothballs, naphthalene or sulfur as their primary ingredient. None of these ingredients will prevent a snake problem.

About Our Wildlife Services – Our Service Areas

Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services is a full-service snake removal company serving counties, cities, towns and communities throughout Virginia. We provide residential, commercial, and industrial snake removal and snake control services in Afton, Albemarle County, Alexandria, Amelia County, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Ashland, Barboursville, Bellwood, Belmont, Bensley, Bermuda Hundred, Bon Air, Boyd Tavern, Brandermill, Bumpass, Burke, Central VA, Centreville, Chamberlain, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Chester, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Crozet, Cuckoo, CVille, Dale City, Doswell, Dumbarton, Earlysville, East Highland Park, Enon, Ettrick, Fairfax, Fair Oaks, Ferncliff, Fluvanna County, Fredericksburg, Genito, Glen Allen, Glenora, Goochland County, Gordonsville, Gum Spring, Hadensville, Hampton, Hampton Park, Hanover County, Harrisonburg, Harrogate, Hening, Henrico County, Highland Springs, Hopewell, Innsbrook, Jefferson Davis, Kents Store, Keswick, Lake Anna, Lake Monticello, Lake Ridge, Lakeside, Laurel, Leesburg, Lewiston, Lignum, Locust Grove, Louisa County, Maidens, Manakin, Manakin-Sabot, Manassas, Manchester, McLean, Montrose, Motoaca, Meadowbrook, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Mineral, Moseley, Newport News, Norfolk, North Courthouse, North Garden, Oilville, Orange County, Palmyra, Pantops, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Powhatan County, Reams, Reston, Richmond, Richmond County, Robious, Rockville, Rockwood, RVA, Salisbury, Sandston, Sandy Hook, Scottsville, Shannon Hill, Short Pump, South Rockwood, Spring Run, Staunton, Stoney Point, Suffolk, Tidewater, Troy, Tuckahoe, Va, Varina, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Williamsburg, Winchester, Winterpock, Woodlake, Wyndham, and the surrounding areas of Virginia.

 

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Contact Us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383 for Virginia animal trapping, animal control, wildlife removal, pest control, animal capture, animal exclusion or wildlife management in VA involving:

 

Additional snake resources can be found here.

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