How to Get Rid of Snakes In Your Home as They Seek Warmth: Video

As warm summer temperatures give way to fall, it’s the time of year when snakes seek warmth and may take up residence in your garage, or even your home.

Don’t freak out, and definitely don’t kill the snakes on those rare occasions that they slither into your home, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says. It’s easy to relocate them without harming the reptile.

Snakes are important members of the ecosystem, so it’s important not to kill them, the DNR warns. And if it’s an eastern massasauga rattlesnake, you can’t kill it without penalty. The snake, Michigan’s only venomous snake, was recently listed as a protected species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — more about that in a bit.

If you find a snake in a building, you’ll need only a couple of tools — a large trash can and a long-handled broom. Just lay the trash can down on the floor near the snake, and gently sweep the snake into it, then tip it upright and allow the snake to slide to the bottom. Then release it outside, unharmed.

Shy, But Venomous Snake Protected

Now, about the eastern massasauga rattlesnake: Nearly 40 percent of the snake’s historical populations no longer exist, and another 15 percent are of uncertain status. Effective Oct. 31, the snake will be listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. Threatened species are considered plants and animals that may become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Habitat loss is considered the primary threat driving the snakes’ decline, however, as their numbers decline, other threats such as direct mortality or collection play a more significant role.

Eastern massasaugas currently are found in scattered locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. In Michigan, the eastern massasauga currently is state-listed as a species of special concern but will be protected under Michigan’s Endangered Species Protection law once it is federally listed. Most massasaugas are located within the southern portion of Michigan, with none occurring on the Upper Peninsula’s mainland.

“Conservation of this rare snake is critical because it plays an important role as a predator of small mammals,” Dan Kennedy, Michigan Department of Natural Resources endangered species specialist, said in a news release. “The DNR is currently working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and many other partners to develop a reasonable approach to conserve this rare snake in Michigan.”

These snakes live in wet prairies, marshes and low-lying areas along rivers and lakes, and may also live in uplands during part of the year. They often hibernate in crayfish burrows, but they also may be found under logs and tree roots or in small mammal burrows.

Those who live in areas with massasaugas can take steps to keep the snakes away from their yard, such as keeping their grass cut short and removing structures like leaf and brush piles, dead logs and stacks of firewood that snakes or their prey (primarily small rodents) might use.

Kennedy emphasized that “human safety comes first, and the federal Endangered Species Act allows anyone to take action to protect yourself or others if you feel threatened.”

The massasauga is a small snake with a thick body, heart-shaped head and vertical pupils. The average length of an adult is about 2 feet. The snake’s tail has several dark brown rings and is tipped by gray-yellow rattles. They eat small rodents such as mice and voles, and will sometimes eat frogs and other snakes. They are docile, secretive snakes that will try to escape rather than defend themselves or fight.

Here’s how to recognize the massasauga:

Feature image by Trevor Owens via Flickr Commons