Cottonmouths and copperheads

Question
Hello Joseph,

We are relatively new to middle GA (from AZ) and considering buying a home with 6 acres in a wooded area which borders a stream.  

While I love king and corn snakes, I'm obviously a bit timid of cottonmouths and copperheads. I don't know much about these snakes, although I can tell you a lot about rattlesnakes:-)

What is the probability of encountering these critters if we were to purchase this property? (Since moving to GA, I expect to see one of these snakes every where I go) How could we convince them to stay away.  We have young children and dogs.

Thank you for your help.
Sandra

Answer
Sandra,

    Thank you for your question.  Living in the Southeast definitely increases the chances of encountering a snake or two, although I am sure you saw many snakes living in Arizona, also.  Like you mentioned, Georgia is home to both the copperhead (Agkistrodon contortix) and the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus).  There are actually six species of venomous snake in Georgia (I promise I'm not trying to make you want to move away!)  Georgia is also home to the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), the pigmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus maliarius), and the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius).  
    The first thing I always tell people who ask me how to keep snakes away from their yards is to get rid of their food source.  If you can keep the rodent population in control, then you should also, in effect, keep the snake population in control.  This can be accomplished by doing the following things:

1)  Remove all hiding areas for rodents (and snakes).  This means get rid of anything like wood piles, pieces of sheet metal--virtually anything lying around your property that a snake or a rodent could hide under.  I know that you said you live near a wooded area, but try your best to control the area surrounding your home.

2)  Mow your lawn as often as needed.  Keep it short so that rodents and snakes will not seek it out for a hiding spot.  Also, keep shrubbery away from walls and foundations.

3)  Keep your house tightly closed off in the warm spring and summer months.  Make sure all cracks in the foundation and around the basement wall are repaired.  Also, keep your garage door closed when you are not moving your car in or out of it.  If you do happen to find a snake in your home, do not attempt to kill it or pick it up!  The best thing to do is to call a certified wildlife removal specialist to handle the situation.  If for some reason this is not an option, get a large garbage can with a lid and a long broomstick.  Lay the garbage can on its side and very carefully lift the snake into the can with the broomstick.  Place the lid on the can and call a wildlife control officer to remove the snake from your property.  

    If you do these things, you will be much less likely to encounter snakes on your property.  As far as keeping your children and dogs safe, try to supervise their outdoor activiy as much as possible.  Also, make sure your children grow up knowing about the things that live around them.  You can teach your children to be safe around snakes without instilling a great fear of snakes in them.  Tell your children that if they see a snake in the yard to stop moving immediately.  If they hear the snake rattling, but don't see it, slowly look around until they find it.  Once they find it, if they are a safe enough distance away from it to slowly move in the other direction, than do just that.  If the snake is right under their feet, then have them stay still, yell for help (snakes have very poor hearing), and wait until the snake moves along.  
    Whatever you do, don't begin to hate the snakes or the place you live because of the snakes.  They are fascinating creatures, and you and your children should try to learn as much as you can about them.  Only through educating yourself about what is around you can you truly be prepared for it.  I hope I have answered your questions.  If you have anymore questions or concerns, please let me know.  

Best of luck,
Joseph Glenn