How to get a copperhead to find a new home?

[Hootch]

A friend of mine has a new neighbor. It likes to sun in her backyard every day now. She's scared to death of snakes and since she's a dog sitter she very worried about the dogs getting tangled up with it. Any suggestions on how to encourage it to go elsewhere?

[prairiepanda]

Animal control would relocate it for you.

[Hootch]

unfortunately, animal control here doesn't handle snakes. good thought tho!

[prairiepanda]

Weird...well, you can try turning the yard into an undesirable habitat for the snake. Keep the grass cut short, block access to under the shed or deck etc., remove hiding spots such as leaf litter or stacks of firewood, place rodent traps to reduce food sources...if you post pictures of the yard perhaps I can make some other suggestions. I wouldn't use any commercial snake repellents since dogs are using the area, and none of them are completely effective anyway.

[FWK]

It will only hang around if there are places to hide and food to eat. Cleaning up any trash, leaf litter, brush, weeds, etc. and keeping the grass cut will encourage it to find new stomping grounds. I've heard of people spraying them with a water hose to chase them off, some believe a few such negative encounters with humans seems to teach them to stay away from their yards (anecdotal evidence only, obviously). Capturing the animal and relocating it would be the last resort. It is hanging around because it has everything it needs there, if you move it another will just take its place. Copperheads tend to live in high densities anyway, it is very possible she is seeing many different animals and assuming it is the same one over and over again. Cleaning up any habitat for both the snake and its food is really the only way to be sure it will stop hanging around.

[DDW]

Unfortunately those are usually dealt with with a shovel where I live:/ they are beautiful but sneaky little things. A lot of the times, you wouldn't know it was there unless you step on it because they are so well camouflaged and quiet. Be care full where you step. I do not know how to move it safely to a new location. But good luck anyway.

[Jim Smith]

I also have these visitors every year. I have a 5 gallon bucket and a pair of long-handled grippers from Lowes that I use to pick them up and put them in the bucket. Then I relocate them in an isolated area with no people or livestock. Other than actually relocating them or killing them (not the best solution), I can't think of another practical way to get rid of them. As an aside, you might relocate a nice sized king snake to the area and that snake will help keep the population of Copperheads under control.

[Aaron_S]

Look around online or call vets for any "snake handlers" who will relocate it. I'm sure there's someone.

[Hootch]

all good ideas. i have relayed the information to her. i did manage to find a local snake catcher that she will try, but like you said, i'm sure another will move in. we have a lot of them in this region. thank you for the suggestions!