Copperhead snakes, while not typically lethal, can still pose a significant threat to homeowners and their families. These venomous pit vipers are common throughout much of the United States, particularly in the Southeast.
While their bites are rarely fatal, they can cause severe pain and potentially serious complications. For homeowners concerned about copperheads on their property, there are several effective methods to identify, remove, and prevent these snakes from taking up residence in yards and gardens.
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How To Identify Copperhead Snakes
Before taking action, you’ll need to identify copperhead snakes correctly. They have distinct features that set them apart from other snake species.
Physical Characteristics
Copperhead snakes typically measure between two and three feet in length as adults. They have a distinctive copper-colored head, which gives them their name, and a pinkish-tan body. Their most recognizable feature is the pattern of dark brown or reddish crossbands on their scales, often described as having an hourglass shape.
Common Lookalikes
Copperheads are frequently mistaken for other snakes, particularly rattlesnakes and cottonmouth snakes (water moccasins). All three belong to the Crotalinae family of pit vipers and share some similarities in coloration. However, copperheads lack the rattle found on rattlesnakes and the stark white mouth interior of cottonmouths.
Juvenile Copperheads
Young copperhead snakes can be particularly challenging to identify due to their smaller size. Juvenile copperheads have the same hourglass pattern as adults but also have a distinctive yellow or greenish-yellow tail. They use this lure-like tail to attract prey. As they grow older, the color of their tails fades.
Are Copperhead Snakes Dangerous?
While copperhead snakes are venomous, their bites are rarely fatal to humans. However, this doesn’t mean you should underestimate the risks of dealing with copperheads.
Venom Potency
According to the National Capital Poison Center, copperhead venom is less potent than that of many other pit vipers. However, their bites can still cause significant pain, swelling, and, in some cases, tissue damage. Victims may experience symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain, depending on the amount of venom injected and the location of the bite.
Bite Statistics
Copperhead snakes account for a significant portion of snake bites in the United States. The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine reports that these snakes are responsible for approximately 25% of all venomous snake bites in the country. While most of these bites are not life threatening, they need medical attention.
Where Do Copperhead Snakes Live?
Understanding where copperhead snakes make their habitat can help you identify potential problem areas on your property.
Geographic Range
Copperhead snakes are widely distributed across the Eastern and Central United States. You can find them from southern New England to Florida and as far west as Texas and parts of Nebraska. If you live within this range, be vigilant about potential copperhead sightings.
Preferred Habitats
These snakes are adaptable and can thrive in various environments, including wooded areas with plenty of leaf litter, rocky hillsides, and near streams and wetlands.
Copperheads may even seek out suburban areas with suitable hiding spots.
Seasonal Behavior
Copperhead snakes are primarily active from late spring to early fall, particularly during the warmer months. They may seek shelter during the hottest parts of the day and become more active in the evening and night. In colder seasons, they often hibernate in rock crevices or burrows.
How To Get Rid of Copperhead Snakes
If you spot a copperhead snake on your property, you can use several methods to remove it safely. Dealing with venomous snakes can be dangerous, though. Seek out professional help if you have any doubt about safe handling.
Inspection
Thoroughly inspect your property to identify potential snake hiding spots. Common areas to check include:
- Under porches, patios, and crawl spaces
- In piles of leaves or yard debris
- Under flat boards or lumber piles
- In tall grass or dense shrubbery
- Around rock piles or stone walls
Before relocating a snake, it’s always a good idea to check your state’s wildlife department to determine safe release sites.
Wait It Out
Sometimes, the simplest solution is to give the snake time to move independently. If you remove potential hiding spots and food sources, the copperhead may naturally relocate.
Use a Garden Hose
A gentle stream of water from a garden hose can encourage a snake to move away without causing harm. Use low pressure to avoid agitating the snake. This method is effective for persuading snakes to move out of hiding spots.
Snake Traps
Commercial snake traps, such as large glue traps explicitly designed for snakes, can be effective. Check these traps regularly and have a plan for safe snake relocation, such as using snake tongs. Be aware that using glue traps is controversial, as it can cause distress to the trapped snake.
Professional Removal
For those uncomfortable with DIY methods, professional pest control services such as Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive Environmental experts can safely capture and relocate copperhead snakes.
Professionals are trained to handle venomous snakes and can offer advice on long-term prevention strategies. While snake removal can be expensive, you may find it to be the best option.
Safe Relocation Practices
When relocating a captured copperhead snake, use proper safety equipment, including snake gaiters or chaps and snake-proof boots. Then, transport the snake in a secure container with air holes and release the snake in a suitable habitat away from residential areas.
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
Prevention is often the best strategy when it comes to copperhead snakes. You can significantly reduce the likelihood of encounters by making the yard less attractive to them.
Eliminate Food Sources
Copperhead snakes are attracted to areas with abundant prey, so control rodents, insect, and bird populations to eliminate potential food sources.
Regular pest control efforts to prevent rodent and insect infestations, particularly cicadas and other large insects, can deter snakes. You can also keep bird feeders away from the house to avoid attracting small mammals.
Remove Potential Hiding Spots
Copperheads prefer areas with cover. To minimize attractive habitats:
- Keep grass short and vegetation well-trimmed
- Remove piles of leaves, wood, or debris from the yard
- Store firewood away from the house and elevate it off the ground
- Fill in ground holes and seal gaps under structures
Create Barriers
Physical barriers can help keep snakes out of specific areas:
- Install fine mesh fencing around gardens or play areas
- Use snake-proof fencing around the property perimeter
- Seal off entry points to crawl spaces and outbuildings
- Consider using compact gravel around the perimeter of buildings to deter snakes, as they prefer not to travel across rough surfaces.
Consider Natural Repellents
While their effectiveness is debatable, some homeowners report success with natural repellents such as cinnamon and clove oil, marigold plants, and lemongrass.
Scatter these around your yard or garden as a potential natural deterrent. No repellent is 100% effective, though. Use natural repellents in conjunction with other preventive measures.
Landscaping Techniques
You can create a less appealing environment for copperheads by choosing these yard care practices:
Pick the Right Plants
Some plants may repel snakes, including mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and other plants with strong, citrusy smells.
Plant these species around your yard to help ward off copperheads.
Mulch and Ground Cover
Avoid using large amounts of mulch or heavy ground cover like ivy, which can provide hiding spots. Opt for gravel or other rough surfaces, as these are less appealing to snakes.
Rock Gardens
If you enjoy rock gardens, be cautious. While they can be attractive, they also provide excellent hiding spots for copperhead snakes. Keep rock formations away from your home’s foundation and other high-traffic areas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Copperheads aren’t known for spending a lot of time in the water, but 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 a long time.
No, copperheads are different than cottonmouth snakes. While they have similarities, cottonmouth snakes (also known as water moccasins) are more deadly than copperheads. Both snakes are part of the Crotalinae family of pit vipers.
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.
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. Also, they have the same amount of venom as adult copperheads, so they’re no more or less deadly than the older snakes.
