Florida Crowned Snake Control

(Tantilla relicta)
Believe it or not, Florida crowned snakes can be great to have around – after all, they love to eat scorpions, centipedes, spiders, and other insects. But if they move inside our homes, or their numbers become too abundant, something must be done. Here’s what you need to know when dealing with a possible Florida crowned snake on your property.

Florida Crowned Snake ID and Habit - The Florida crowned snake is very slender and short, reaching no more than a foot long when full-grown. They’re tan or brown, with a black head and neck, and a lighter-colored belly. There may or may not be a light-colored band on the neck.

Florida crowned snakes are native to central Florida and southernmost Georgia, inhabiting sandhills, coastal dunes, and scrub habitats; it is more common in sandhills than in scrub. In scrub habitat, this snake appears to most common right after periodic disturbance (e.g., fire, clear cutting) that removes the matted understorey or pine canopy.

This secretive, burrowing snake is usually under the soil surface or under surface cover (leaf litter, rocks, or debris); it also uses pocket gopher mounds.

It’s good to have around, as it feeds on beetles, snails, centipedes, and other insects. The Florida crowned snake doesn’t handle human disturbance well, so it’s rare in urban or suburban settings.

If you’re ever bitten by a Florida crowned snake, make sure to get it checked out. These snakes are not venomous, but with any wild animal bite there’s a risk of infection.You can avoid all this by finding a snake removal professional here!

Florida Crowned Snake Control

There are several steps to dealing with snake problems: making your property less inviting to snakes, and dealing with any snakes that are already there.

Before undertaking any control measures, however, call your local fish and wildlife department, or a professional snake control company, to learn about the conservation status your snakes might have and which control measures are allowed in your situation.

Habitat modification for Florida Snakes

In settings where snakes are common, eliminate stands of tall vegetation and remove piles of rock, lumber, and debris that might attract snakes to search for prey or to seek shelter. Close all entrances to rodent burrows, which are used by snakes as hiding spots and sometimes hunting grounds.

Exclusion for Florida Snakes

Structural gaps and crevices larger than 1/4 inch and within three feet of grade should be closed off – snakes can pass through very small openings.
Crawlspace vents should not have screens with larger than 1/4 inch mesh.
A thorough search should be made for cracks in the foundation, unscreened crawlspace vents and gaps around basement window frames.
Check clearances under doors, and look for improper sealing where plumbing and utility lines penetrate the foundation of the building.

Florida Crowned Snake Removal

If you’re confident that you do indeed have a Florida crowned snake in your house, and you want to deal with it yourself, try this: place a trash can on the side of the snake, and use a broom or a similar tool to gently sweep it inside the trashcan. Relocate it well away from residential areas, and seal up any openings in your house where it can get back in.
If you have any doubt about which kind of snake you have, or if you suspect several, a call to a snake control company is warranted. They can also advise you on effective control and exclusion measures and trapping techniques. Take advantage of their expertise if you want to deal with your snake problem quickly and effectively!

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