What You Should Never Do After a Snake Bite

If someone is bitten, don't rely on traditional or internet remedies.

Do not:

• Cut the wound

• Try to suck out venom

• Apply ice directly to the bite

• Apply a tourniquet unless specifically directed by trained medical professionals

• Try to catch the snake

• Delay medical treatment while attempting home remedies

Instead, keep the person as calm and still as possible and seek emergency medical assistance.

If it can be done safely, remember the snake's appearance from a distance. Do not risk another bite trying to capture or kill it.

Remove rings, watches, or other constricting items near the affected limb if swelling is expected and doing so does not interfere with emergency care.

How to Prevent Snakes From Entering Your Home

Removing one snake solves the immediate problem, but prevention is what reduces the chance of another encounter.

1. Seal Small Openings

Inspect the exterior of your house carefully.

Pay particular attention to gaps around:

• Doors

• Windows

• Pipes

• Utility lines

• Vents

• Foundations

• Garage doors

• Crawl spaces

A small opening can provide access to surprisingly small animals.

Use appropriate building materials to seal gaps while ensuring that necessary ventilation systems remain functional.

2. Install Door Sweeps

A noticeable gap beneath an exterior door can provide an easy entrance for animals.

A properly fitted door sweep can help reduce that opening.

Check garage doors as well, particularly along the bottom and corners.

3. Reduce Rodent Activity

If mice or rats are regularly present around your property, addressing that problem can also reduce one potential food source for snakes.

Store food securely.

Keep garbage containers properly closed.

Clean up spilled pet food.

Avoid leaving animal feed outdoors overnight.

And seal areas where rodents may enter buildings.

4. Keep the Yard Tidy

Snakes often benefit from places where they can hide.

Reducing unnecessary outdoor clutter can make your property less attractive as a shelter.

Consider keeping firewood elevated and organized rather than leaving it directly against the house.

Remove unnecessary piles of debris, unused materials, and dense accumulations of leaves.