Snakes

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Minimize brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures around your home that can provide shelter for both snakes and their prey, particularly rodents.
• Secure and clean up spilled bird seed, compost, and other food that rodents and insects eat to reduce attracting snakes.

Around home

• Check your home and other structures for gaps under doors, foundations, porches, sheds, and steps that snakes may use for access. Use door sweeps and seal openings with durable materials such as hardware cloth or metal flashing.
• Keep grass mowed and remove clutter where rodents may shelter.
• Use solid sheeting or hardware cloth at least 2 feet tall installed tight to the ground to prevent most snakes entering gardens and landscaped areas.
• Trim vegetation around the home to limit hiding spots for snakes.
• Learn how to identify different types of snakes, including Michigan’s only venomous snake, Eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

Pets and livestock

• Keep pets leashed outdoors and discourage them from investigating snakes. Most Michigan snakes are harmless, but pets may act aggressively and the pet and snake may both be injured.
• If a pet gets bitten by a snake, try to identify the species and contact your veterinarian if necessary. The only venomous snake in Michigan is the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake that has rattles on the tip of the tail. Some species, like the Eastern hognose snake, do not have rattles but may mimic rattles by quickly hitting their tail against dry leaves.
• Secure structures and food for poultry and small livestock from rodents to reduce the prey that attracts snakes.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating potential shelter and prey, like rodents, is the most effective way to reduce snakes around your home.
• If a snake enters a home or garage, give it space and allow it to leave through an open door. Never attempt to handle a snake unless you are certain of the species.
• If a snake is in an undesirable location outdoors, use a long tool (such as a broom) to gently encourage it to move away while keeping a safe distance, or allow it to leave on its own.
• Try to identify what type of snake you are seeing because some snakes prefer different habitats and prey. This information can help you understand how to manage your area to be less attractive to the snake.
• If a snake is repeatedly entering a home or outbuilding, consider contacting a nuisance animal control company for safe removal.
• If you find an injured snake or young snake that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of snakes other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• The following snakes are legally protected wildlife in Michigan: Black rat snake, Butler's garter snake, Eastern fox snake, Copper-bellied water snake, Kirtland’s snake, Queen snake, Smooth green snake, and Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. They may not be lethally removed unless they pose an immediate threat to human life.
• Up to three snakes per day, other than those legally protected, can be removed year-round using valid Michigan fishing license. It is illegal to use firearms (including spring, air, or gas propelled), bow and arrow, blowgun or crossbow for removal.
• All snake eggs are legally protected.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Encourage residents and staff to minimize brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures around homes and green spaces that can provide shelter for both snakes and their prey, particularly rodents.
• Educate residents about securing and cleaning up spilled bird seed, compost, and other food that rodents and insects eat to reduce attracting snakes. Messaging is best done in the spring and fall.

Your community

• Remove brush piles, abandoned lumber, or debris that may shelter snakes and rodents near homes, playgrounds, and other public use areas.

Public spaces

• Inspect public buildings, park shelters, and maintenance facilities for gaps snakes may use. Seal openings with durable materials.
• Maintain mowed vegetation along paths and high-use areas.

Pets and livestock

• Encourage residents to keep pets leashed outdoors and discourage them from investigating snakes. Most Michigan snakes are harmless, but pets may act aggressively and the pet and snake may both be injured.
• If a pet gets bitten by a snake, try to identify the species and contact your veterinarian if necessary. The only venomous snake in Michigan is the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake that has rattles on the tip of the tail. Some species, like the Eastern hognose snake, do not have rattles but may mimic rattles by quickly hitting their tail against dry leaves.
• Where community poultry or small livestock facilities exist, ensure feed is secured to minimize rodent attractants.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating potential shelter and prey, like rodents, is the most effective way to reduce snakes around parks and other public areas.
• If a snake enters a building or shelter, give it space and allow it to leave through an open door. Never attempt to handle a snake unless you are certain of the species.
• If a snake is in an undesirable location outdoors, use a long tool (such as a broom) to gently encourage it to move away while keeping a safe distance, or allow it to leave on its own.
• Educate staff and residents about identifying what type of snake they are seeing because some snakes prefer different habitats and prey. This information can help them understand how to manage areas to be less attractive to the snake.
• If a snake is repeatedly entering a building or other space, consider contacting a nuisance animal control company for safe removal.
• If someone finds an injured snake or young snake that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of snakes other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• The following snakes are legally protected wildlife in Michigan: Black rat snake, Butler's garter snake, Eastern fox snake, Copper-bellied water snake, Kirtland’s snake, Queen snake, Smooth green snake, and Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. They may not be lethally removed unless they pose an immediate threat to human life.
• Up to three snakes per day, other than those legally protected, can be removed year-round using valid Michigan fishing license. It is illegal to use firearms (including spring, air, or gas propelled), bow and arrow, blowgun or crossbow for removal.
• All snake eggs are legally protected.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Encourage maintenance staff to minimize brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures around buildings and playgrounds that can provide shelter for both snakes and their prey, particularly rodents.
• Educate staff or students about securing and cleaning up spilled bird seed, compost, and other food that rodents and insects eat to reduce attracting snakes. Messaging is best done in the spring.

Grounds

• Inspect buildings, sheds, and other structures for gaps snakes may use. Seal openings with durable materials.
• Remove brush piles, abandoned equipment, or other debris that may shelter snakes and rodents.
• Maintain mowed vegetation along paths and high-use areas.
• Ensure maintenance areas remain free of clutter that can shelter rodents or snakes.

Pets and livestock

• Encourage staff and visitors to keep pets leashed outdoors and discourage them from investigating snakes. Most Michigan snakes are harmless, but pets may act aggressively and the pet and snake may both be injured.
• If a pet gets bitten by a snake, try to identify the species and contact your veterinarian if necessary. The only venomous snake in Michigan is the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake that has rattles on the tip of the tail. Some species, like the Eastern hognose snake, do not have rattles but may mimic rattles by quickly hitting their tail against dry leaves.
• Where poultry or small livestock facilities exist, ensure feed is secured to minimize rodent use that can attract snakes.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating potential shelter and prey, like rodents, is the most effective way to reduce snakes around buildings and other high use areas.
• If a snake enters a building or structure, give it space and allow it to leave through an open door. Never attempt to handle a snake unless you are certain of the species.
• If a snake is in an undesirable location outdoors, use a long tool (such as a broom) to gently encourage it to move away while keeping a safe distance, or allow it to leave on its own.
• Encourage grounds staff and other to learn about identifying what type of snake they are seeing because some snakes prefer different habitats and prey. This information can help them understand how to manage areas to be less attractive to the snake.
• If a snake is repeatedly entering a building or other space, consider contacting a nuisance animal control company for safe removal.
• If someone finds an injured snake or young snake that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of snakes other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• The following snakes are legally protected wildlife in Michigan: Black rat snake, Butler's garter snake, Eastern fox snake, Copper-bellied water snake, Kirtland’s snake, Queen snake, Smooth green snake, and Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. They may not be lethally removed unless they pose an immediate threat to human life.
• Up to three snakes per day, other than those legally protected, can be removed year-round using valid Michigan fishing license. It is illegal to use firearms (including spring, air, or gas propelled), bow and arrow, blowgun or crossbow for removal.
• All snake eggs are legally protected.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Minimize brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures around your farm or orchard that can provide shelter for both snakes and their prey, particularly rodents.
• Secure and clean up spilled grain, compost, and other food that rodents and insects eat to reduce attracting snakes.

Your farm or orchard

• Inspect barns, sheds, and other structures for gaps snakes may use. Seal openings with durable materials.
• Keep grass trimmed around structures and remove piles of wood, rocks, or abandoned equipment where possible.
• Sustain rodent control to reduce the prey that attracts snakes.

Pets and livestock

• Keep pets leashed when near areas likely to shelter snakes and discourage them from investigating snakes. Most Michigan snakes are harmless, but pets may act aggressively and the pet and snake may both be injured.
• If a pet gets bitten by a snake, try to identify the species and contact your veterinarian if necessary. The only venomous snake in Michigan is the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake that has rattles on the tip of the tail. Some species, like the Eastern hognose snake, do not have rattles but may mimic rattles by quickly hitting their tail against dry leaves.
• Secure structures and food for poultry and small livestock from rodents to reduce the prey that attracts snakes.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating potential shelter and prey, like rodents, is the most effective way to reduce snakes around your farm or orchard.
• If a snake enters a barn or other structure, give it space and allow it to leave through an open door. Never attempt to handle a snake unless you are certain of the species.
• If a snake is in an undesirable location outdoors, use a long tool (such as a broom) to gently encourage it to move away while keeping a safe distance, or allow it to leave on its own.
• Try to identify what type of snake you are seeing because some snakes prefer different habitats and prey. This information can help you understand how to manage your area to be less attractive to the snake.
• If a snake is repeatedly entering a home or outbuilding, consider contacting a nuisance animal control company for safe removal.
• If you find an injured snake or young snake that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of snakes other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• The following snakes are legally protected wildlife in Michigan: Black rat snake, Butler's garter snake, Eastern fox snake, Copper-bellied water snake, Kirtland’s snake, Queen snake, Smooth green snake, and Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. They may not be lethally removed unless they pose an immediate threat to human life.
• Up to three snakes per day, other than those legally protected, can be removed year-round using valid Michigan fishing license. It is illegal to use firearms (including spring, air, or gas propelled), bow and arrow, blowgun or crossbow for removal.
• All snake eggs are legally protected.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Minimize brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures on airport property that can provide shelter for both snakes and their prey, particularly rodents.
• Secure and clean up spilled garbage, bird seed, and other food that rodents and insects eat to reduce attracting snakes.

Around buildings

• Inspect buildings, hangars, and other structures for gaps snakes may use. Seal openings with durable materials.
• Remove abandoned equipment or other debris that may shelter snakes and rodents.
• Maintain mowed vegetation where possible.
• Ensure maintenance areas remain free of clutter that can shelter rodents or snakes.

Airfields

• Maintain short vegetation along runways, taxiways, and fence lines.
• Remove brush, rocks, and debris where snakes or their prey may shelter.
• Monitor high-rodent areas and implement rodent management programs.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating potential shelter and prey, like rodents, is the most effective way to reduce snakes around buildings and airfields.
• If a snake enters a building or structure, give it space and allow it to leave through an open door. Never attempt to handle a snake unless you are certain of the species.
• If a snake is in an undesirable location outdoors, use a long tool (such as a broom) to gently encourage it to move away while keeping a safe distance, or allow it to leave on its own.
• Encourage maintenance staff to learn about identifying what type of snake they are seeing because some snakes prefer different habitats and prey. This information can help them understand how to manage areas to be less attractive to the snake.
• If a snake is repeatedly entering a building or other space, consider contacting a nuisance animal control company for safe removal.
• If you find an injured snake or young snake that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of snakes other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• The following snakes are legally protected wildlife in Michigan: Black rat snake, Butler's garter snake, Eastern fox snake, Copper-bellied water snake, Kirtland’s snake, Queen snake, Smooth green snake, and Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. They may not be lethally removed unless they pose an immediate threat to human life.
• Up to three snakes per day, other than those legally protected, can be removed year-round using valid Michigan fishing license. It is illegal to use firearms (including spring, air, or gas propelled), bow and arrow, blowgun or crossbow for removal.
• All snake eggs are legally protected.