How To Get Rid Of Rattlesnakes

How to get rid of a rattlesnake at your house right now.

If you clicked that link, it's likely that there's a rattlesnake in your yard right now, and you're frantically searching for what you're supposed to do. We'll talk about the details later, for now, here's what you do to have the snake removed immediately:

Find a safe spot to watch the snake. Rattlesnakes don't chase people or attack; if you're not standing on top of it, you'll be fine. If possible, snap a quick photo with your phone.
Get everyone to chill. Some of the guys might get excited to shoot it with a pellet gun or hit it with a shovel; tell them to stop and have a professional handle it.
If you're in the Phoenix-Metro area of Arizona call 480–237–9975 for snake removal. If you're in Tucson, call 520–308–6211. If you're anywhere else, search for the nearest 24-hour emergency snake removal service.
They'll ask you some questions and possibly want to see the photo that you took of the snake. This is both normal and ok — if it's not a venomous snake, that's something you should know before paying a service to come help.
Watch the snake until help arrives. The snake may be aware of you, too, so if you move, it might take the opportunity to leave. This part is very important.
Ask the snake removal person as many questions as you can. Why is it there? What attracts snakes? What species of snake is this? Can there be others? Most professional snake removal persons are passionate about snakes and will gladly answer any questions you have.

The snake removal person just left — where does the snake go?

Most areas have specific laws that wildlife services personnel (including rattlesnake removers) must follow that dictate where the snakes go. With rattlesnakes in Arizona, for instance, the snake must be released within a mile of the capture point. This is nothing to be concerned with, however.

If the per s on knows what they are doing, they'll know the type of habitat the snake needs and will release it properly. It's better to turn your attention to what is ultimately more important than any single snake: why is the snake there and how to prevent more from showing up.

Rattlesnake professionally removed from a home in Phoenix, Arizona

Won't the snake just come back?

If the snake is at your place because of a rodent problem, giant unkempt woodpile, etc.; maybe. But, if you maintain those situations, even after the snake removal person told you about how much those features can bring snakes into the yard, then you likely have other snakes showing up routinely as well.

Imagine keeping garbage on the porch, and swatting flies as they appear. After each fly that you swat, if you declare yourself fly-free, you're going to have a bad time. The best thing to do would be, obviously, take out the trash! Snake removal is similar (though we'd never suggest swatting one!) in that the cause is more important than the instance–get the snake removed by a professional and get to work on the cause.

Why can't we just kill it?

Well, you could, but you'd be putting yourself (or your brother, or neighbor, or whoever) into the single most consistent category of bite victims that exist. You'd also be missing out on all of the expertise that a pro snake removal person brings to your home. Why the snake is there and how to prevent more are not something a do-it-yourself snake killer knows anything about. Most snake removal services ask for a small fee, which is well worth it considering that they are capturing a potentially deadly, venomous reptile.

Ok, so now the rattlesnake is gone. Now what?

Rattlesnake visits aren't necessarily random events; the snake is there for a reason. That reason can be many things, most of which can be prevented. Since you took the time to read the list above, especially item number 6, you know that you should ask the snake removal person as much as you can before they leave. These questions should include things like "why is this snake here to begin with?" and "what can I do to prevent more?". Every scenario is different, but there are a few common situations that many homeowners find themselves in that cause rattlesnakes to show up from time to time.