Snakes in Wisconsin
Snakes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. These scaly, cold-blooded reptiles are extremely valuable to humans. They eat a lot of mice and rats, which can carry disease and damage property. Unfortunately, many snake populations have declined in Wisconsin due to habitat loss and human interactions. There are 21 different species of snakes in Wisconsin, but only two are venomous.
The majority of snakes in Wisconsin are non-venomous. The most common snakes you will come across in your yard in Wisconsin are the common garter snake, common water snake, eastern fox snake, and milk snake.
The timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga are the only two venomous snakes that live in Wisconsin. The shape of a snake’s head is a good indicator of whether it’s dangerous or not. Venomous snakes typically have a triangular-shaped head and pits between their eyes and nostrils.
What are the Signs of a Snake in Your Home?
Snakes will often enter homes and yards in search of food or shelter. Common entry points include gaps under doors, cracks in the walls and foundation, or through plumbing and vents. Snakes can hide in so many spaces, including basements, walls, cellars, garages, and crawlspaces. Generally, snakes make their way into your home on the hunt for a rodent. In fact, the presence of a snake in your home often indicates a rodent infestation that can cause significantly more damage to your home than a simple snake. During our initial inspection, we will look for signs of snakes and mice. Typical signs of snakes in your home include droppings and shed snake skin.
Professional Snake Removal in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control provides snake removal services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. The best way to deter snakes is to remove potential sources of food and shelter. Our certified wildlife specialists safely and efficiently trap, remove, and exclude nuisance snakes from your home or business.
If you have a snake problem, you probably also have a rodent problem. Take steps to control rodents with our rodent control and maintenance services!
Are Snakes Dangerous?
Many people are terrified of snakes, especially when found in one’s home. However, the fear of snakes sometimes supersedes the actual problems associated with snakes. Snakes are beneficial animals to have around your yard and don’t cause any damage. They provide free and natural rodent control. The majority of snakes in Wisconsin are harmless because snakes will not bite unless cornered or handled. If you come across a snake in your yard, we recommend leaving it alone. If you are unsure if the snake in your home is venomous or are uncomfortable removing it from your home, contact our wildlife control company to get rid of the snake.
Snake FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What do snakes eat?
Snakes are carnivores that primarily prey on mice, voles, rats, frogs, and birds.
Where do snakes live?
Snakes are found throughout Wisconsin. Snakes live in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, swamps, deserts, and grasslands. As exothermic reptiles, snakes need to regulate their body temperature and must live in areas with consistent access to heat. Most species live in the ground, woodpiles, tall grass, and shrubbery.
When do snakes mate?
Most snakes in Wisconsin mate in the spring as soon as they emerge from hibernation. Most snakes are considered to have polygynous mating systems, in which many males may try to mate with one female, resulting in a “breeding ball.” A snake’s gestation period is generally one to two months. Not all snakes lay eggs. Some snakes birth live babies. The litter size depends on the snake species.
How long do snakes live?
The average lifespan of a snake in the wild is about two to eight years. Snakes can live significantly longer in captivity, generally fifteen to twenty years. Snakes have a few predators, including badgers, hawks, eagles, bobcats, mink, and other snakes.
What does snake poop look like?
Snake droppings can vary in appearance depending on the size and diet of the snake species. Snake scat is a mixture of feces and urine that looks like a brown and white oblong liquid excretion.
What do snake tracks look like?
Snake tracks look like sinuous or curved lines on the ground. Snakes move in several ways, including lateral undulation, concertina locomotion, rectilinear movement, slide-pushing, and sidewinding.