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Garter Snake

Easy DIY
Garter Snake

Identification

Common, non-venomous, striped snakes that shelter under debris, mulch, and foundations, and are typically more of a nuisance presence than a genuine hazard.

Can I DIY this?

Easy DIY

You can handle this one yourself.

With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.

Download PDF guide
  1. Find the entry point, den, or burrow the animal is using.
  2. Before sealing anything, confirm there aren't young inside — many species (bats especially) are protected during certain seasons, and trapping a parent away from dependent young creates a bigger problem.
  3. Install a one-way exclusion door at the main entry so the animal can leave but not get back in, and seal every other potential opening first.
  4. Remove what's attracting them — secure garbage cans, pet food, bird feeders, and compost.
  5. For burrowing animals, vibrating repellent stakes can help; live trapping is an option too, but check your local regulations on trapping and relocating wildlife first.
  6. For anything that can carry rabies (raccoons, skunks, bats) or is legally protected, it's worth calling a licensed wildlife control operator rather than handling it yourself.
  7. Once the animal is confirmed out, permanently seal the entry point so it — or something else — doesn't move back in.

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.