Category: Snakes

Winter Snake Control in Louisiana

Posted on December 11, 2023 by - Snakes

The winter months may bring slight relief from the scorching Louisiana heat, but it doesn’t mean you’re completely safe from snakes. As temperatures drop, snakes seek warmth and shelter around homes, potentially posing a threat to you and your pets. To ensure a snake-free winter, here are some simple tips to follow.

Close Up Entry Points

Snakes can slip through surprisingly small openings. Inspect your home for any cracks or gaps in doors, windows, and foundation walls. Seal them with weather stripping or caulk to prevent snakes from entering.

Remove Debris

Clean up any debris, such as woodpiles, leaves, and clutter, around your home. Snakes may seek refuge in places like behind your firewood storage pile during colder months. Keeping your property tidy discourages them from settling in.

Trim Vegetation

Keep your yard well-maintained. Trim overgrown grass, bushes, and shrubs regularly, as snakes are more likely to hide in tall vegetation. This reduces their hiding spots and makes your property less attractive to them.

Secure Trash

Snakes are attracted to food sources, such as rodents and insects. Make sure your trash cans are tightly sealed to prevent them from becoming a food source and luring snakes near your home.

Check for Snakes

Before you step outside, take a moment to scan your surroundings. Snakes are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external heat sources. On sunny winter days, they might bask in the sun to warm up. Be cautious and avoid startling them.

Install Snake Fencing

Consider installing a snake-proof fence around your yard. This can be a highly effective way to keep snakes out, especially if you live in an area with a high snake population.

Educate Yourself

Learn about the snakes commonly found in Louisiana, especially the venomous ones. Knowing how to identify them and their habits can help you stay safe.

Seek Professional Help

If you encounter a snake on your property, it’s best to call a professional wildlife removal service. The Bug Man offers a service which involves putting a scent barrier around the home that repels snakes from coming near your house. 

Attempting to handle a snake on your own can be dangerous. The Bug Man has many Louisiana Department of Agriculture licensed trappers for animal removal or eradication. Call us today at 923-BUGS or request a free estimate online here. 

Far from hisssssterical, snakes are looking for a way into your home

Posted on December 10, 2021 by - Pest Control General, Snakes

Whether you’ve lived in Louisiana your entire life or lived here a few short months, it should come as no surprise that snakes are a part of life down here. With all the wetlands, ponds, marshes and swamps, snakes love the deep south. 

That may sound as if that is where they’re going to stay, but when the weather gets colder and they get chilly, they look for a place to hibernate. Spoiler alert – a great deal of the time, they want to hibernate in your home. 

They pose a significant risk to your children, family, pets and guests for a few reasons. There are serval poisonous snakes that exist here that can create a hazard, but over 85% of snakes carry salmonella in some form. Before you say “disgusting” and move on – wait one more minute. There’s are a few things you need to know. 

Because they are a cold-blooded species, their bodies don’t keep warm due to blood flow the way mammal bodies do. Snakes thrive and stay alive by absorbing external temperature. So when it starts to get too cool outside, they need a warm place to live. Places like:

  • Attics 
  • Water pipes
  • Walls
  • Crawl spaces
  • Basements
  • Drop ceilings (yikes)
  • Laundry rooms
  • Bathrooms
  • Closets 

Don’t Panic

The best way to prevent snakes from getting in is to seal up any potential area they may be able to slither through. They don’t need ample space at all, and a simple crack or tiny hole may be all they need to make your home their new home. If you need help identifying those areas, The Bug Man can help. 

If a snake does happen to make its way in, it’s not the best idea to attempt to remove it yourself. As stated earlier, some snakes can be deadly or can get you sick. In addition, simply removing it and putting it outside will not prevent it or others from making their way back into your home.

Our advice is to give The Bug Man a call to answer all of your snake questions or schedule an appointment. We’ll take care of them, so you don’t have to.