Our John Creek Snake Removal Services

Living in Georgia comes with a price, you have the luxury of seeing a lot of wildlife and having to at some point to deal with different species, especially snakes. Our Snake Removal Services are highly sought after during the warm summer months.

The MOST common snakes that we, Southern Wildlife, encounters is: Copperheads, Black Rat Snakes, King Snakes, Various Watersnakes, and little Storeria Dekay snakes.

As an added-value to the snake removal process/inspection the Licensed Wildlife Technician will provide you with habitat modification suggestions which will help direct you to make your yard less desirable, less hospitable to snakes and cut down on the occurrences of snake sightings or interactions.  This alone is worth the cost of the inspection.

We are tremendously successful when it comes to removing snakes and often times we find and remove more snakes than expected. But since wildlife is unpredictable if we come out (no matter the time of day or night) whether or not we find the snake we get paid for the effort.

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SNAKE DETERRENTS – SNAKE REPELLENT

It is illegal in Georgia to trap non-venomous snakes. As a result, we scoured and tested countless forms of repellent. We avoid using toxic and odiferous repellents that contain Naphthalene. Which is an active ingredient in most of the snake repellants you can find. According to the Center for Disease Control Naphthalene is a cancer causing compound. We use one that’s healthier for your yard, your pets but still effective in discouraging snakes from taking up residence in your yard or garage!

The snake repellent that we provide lasts for up to 3 months. Ask about our Snake Control Program which offers a discount to have us come out every 2.5 months during the snake season to reapply the repellent at a great discount.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE COMMON SNAKES IN NORTH GEORGIA

1. Black Rat Snakes (Pantherophis obsoletus):
   • They are one of the largest snakes in North Georgia, reaching lengths of up to 6 feet.
   • Black Rat Snakes are excellent climbers and often inhabit wooded areas and barns.
   • These snakes are non-venomous and primarily feed on rodents, making them beneficial for controlling rodent populations.
2. Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon):
   • Northern Watersnakes are commonly found near bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, and streams.
   • They are excellent swimmers and are often mistaken for venomous water moccasins, but they are harmless. Harmless in the sence of NOT being venomous. However, the frequently BITE. Mean, mean, mean!
   • These snakes play a crucial role in controlling fish and amphibian populations.
3. Banded Watersnakes (Nerodia fasciata):
   • Banded Watersnakes have distinctive banding patterns along their bodies, which help them camouflage in their aquatic habitats.
   • They primarily feed on fish, frogs, and small mammals, using constriction to subdue their prey.
   • Banded Watersnakes are non-venomous and generally docile but will bite if threatened.
4. Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix):
   • Copperheads are venomous pit vipers commonly found in wooded areas, rocky hillsides, and suburban neighborhoods.
   • They are named for the coppery coloration of their heads and are identifiable by their hourglass-shaped markings.
   • While their venom is potent, Copperhead bites are rarely fatal to humans and are typically only dangerous to small pets or children.
5. Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula):
   • Eastern Kingsnakes are powerful constrictors known for their ability to prey on other snakes, including venomous species such as Copperheads.
   • They have glossy black bodies with white or yellow banding, resembling the pattern of a king’s robe, hence their name.
   • These snakes are often considered beneficial because they help control populations of venomous snakes like Copperheads.
6. Dekay- Little Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi):
   • Dekay Snake is a small, harmless snake commonly found in wooded areas, gardens, and suburban landscapes.
   • They are primarily nocturnal and feed on slugs, earthworms, and small insects.
   • Despite their small size and inconspicuous appearance, these snakes play a vital role in local ecosystems as prey for larger predators.
   • The single most misidentified snake in our area (rivaling with the watersnake). Client’s always fear the Dekay’s are baby copperheads.
7. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus):
   • Timber Rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers with distinctive rattles at the end of their tails, which they use as a warning signal when threatened.
   • They are primarily found in rocky, forested habitats and are known for their ambush hunting style.
   • While Timber Rattlesnake venom is potent, fatalities from their bites are rare due to prompt medical treatment.
   • We typically run into Timber Rattlesnakes in the Big Canoe, Dawsonville area of our market.
8. Snake Hibernation:
   • Many snake species in North Georgia, including Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes, undergo hibernation during the colder months to conserve energy.
   • They seek out underground burrows, rock crevices, or other sheltered locations to brumate until temperatures warm in the spring.
9. Reproduction:
   • Snakes in North Georgia typically mate in the spring or early summer, with females often giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
   • Black Rat Snakes, Eastern Kingsnakes, and other species are known for large clutch sizes, with dozens of offspring born at once.
10. Camouflage:
    • Many snakes in North Georgia, such as Black Rat Snakes and Banded Watersnakes, have evolved coloration and patterns that help them blend into their surroundings, aiding in both hunting and avoiding predators.
11. Prey Adaptations:
    • Snakes have specialized adaptations for capturing and consuming prey, including heat-sensing pits in the case of pit vipers like Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes, which help them locate warm-blooded prey in darkness.
12. Environmental Role:
    • Snakes are essential for maintaining ecological balance by controlling populations of rodents, amphibians, and other small animals, thus preventing overpopulation and ecosystem disruptions.
13. Conservation Concerns:
    • Some snake species in North Georgia, such as Timber Rattlesnakes, face threats from habitat loss, road mortality, and persecution by humans due to fear or misunderstanding.
14. Mimicry:
    • Non-venomous snakes like Eastern Kingsnakes often mimic the coloration and behavior of venomous species like Coral Snakes, providing them with protection from potential predators. Twice we have encountered the Kingsnake that is colorful and the DNR told us they are a California Kingsnake and must have been released here – they said they were not naitive.
15. Longevity:
    • Many snake species in North Georgia have relatively long lifespans, with some individuals living for several decades in the wild if they can avoid predation, disease, and other threats.
16. Territorial Behavior:
    • Snakes may exhibit territorial behavior, especially during the breeding season, when males may engage in combat rituals to establish dominance and secure mating opportunities.
17. Environmental Adaptations:
    • Snakes have evolved a range of physiological and behavioral adaptations to thrive in diverse habitats, from the wooded mountains of North Georgia to the wetlands and coastal plains of the southeastern United States.
18. Molt:
    • Snakes periodically shed their skin through a process called ecdysis, allowing them to grow and remove parasites or old, damaged skin.
    • When clients see a shed snake skin in their attic they call us expecting us to search the attic. We have to explain to them that the likeliness that a snake is still inside their attic is slim, they came in for rodents (food).
19. Public Perception:
    • Educating the public about the importance of snakes in ecosystems and dispelling myths and misconceptions can help foster coexistence and reduce conflicts between humans and snakes.
20. Professional Wildlife Management:
    • Companies like Southern Wildlife Management play a crucial role in safely and responsibly managing wildlife populations, including snakes, to minimize conflicts with humans while promoting conservation and biodiversity. We release ALL snakes unharmed in their natural habitat – period. Far away from civilization or human activity.