Snake Season in Pennsylvania: What’s Normal and When to Call for Snake Removal

It’s a common June scene in Lancaster County: you’re clearing brush in the backyard or reaching for a tool in the garage, and you see that unmistakable slither.

Panic is the most common reaction, but in Pennsylvania, most of our snakes are harmless. However, that doesn’t mean you want them nesting under your porch or entering your basement. Here is your guide to staying “snake-safe” this summer and knowing when it’s time to bring in a professional.

Common Neighbors: Identifying Local Snakes

Most of the calls we receive in Ephrata, Lititz, and Manheim involve three common (and non-venomous) species:

Eastern Garter Snake: Often found in gardens; usually green or brown with yellow stripes.
Black Rat Snake: These can grow quite large (up to 6 feet!) and are excellent climbers. They are often the culprits if you find a snake in your attic or rafters.
Northern Water Snake: Frequently seen near local creeks and ponds; often mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth (which actually doesn’t live in our part of PA!).

Learn more about the types of snakes in Pennsylvania

The Real Question: Is it Dangerous?

While Pennsylvania is home to the Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake, these are much less common in residential backyards than the species listed above. However, if you see a snake with a distinct triangular head and “cat-like” elliptical pupils, keep your distance. Even a non-venomous bite can cause infection or significant stress. Most of the time, if you leave a snake alone, it will leave you alone.

Why Are Snakes on My Property?

Snakes come onto your property looking for food and shelter.

Rodent Problems: If you have mice or other small critters, snakes will follow.
Tall Grass and Debris: Overgrown lawns, woodpiles, and leaf piles are optimal cover for snakes.
Cool Shelters: In the June heat, snakes seek out cool shade found under your shed, porch, or in your basement.

How We Can Help

At Backyard Wildlife Solutions, we don’t just remove the snake; we solve the “why.” Our snake intervention services include:

Safe Removal & Relocation: We capture and move snakes away from your living spaces.
Habitat Modification: We advise you on how to make your yard less attractive to wildlife.
Entry Point Sealing: We inspect your foundation and crawlspace to ensure snakes (and the mice they hunt) can’t get inside.

See a Snake? Stay Calm and Call the Pros.

Don’t spend your summer looking over your shoulder in your own backyard. Whether you have a single “visitor” or a recurring problem, we’re here to help.

Contact us for a snake inspection

Expert wildlife removal for Lancaster County. Call us at 717-419-0781 or fill out our Contact Form.

About Snakes

Snakes are cold-blooded meaning they can’t maintain a body temperature higher than the environment’s temperature. Some snakes prefer to hang out around rocks; they lounge on top of the rock to warm up or slither underneath it for shade. Most prefer environments around 55 degrees. Furthermore, they can survive in a 45-degree environment. Comparatively, at 32 degrees they will freeze to death.

Black Snakes

The average black rat snake ranges from forty to seventy inches. These snakes are the ones responsible for keeping mice and rats away. Moreover, they often hibernate in basements during the winter months. During the spring and summer, they like areas with loose soil, sandy habitats, or decaying leaves.

A large rat snake, around six to seven feet, can actually eat a raccoon or opossum.

Garter Snake

Common garter snakes range from twenty to twenty-eight inches long. They are found in a variety of places; cultivated fields, swamps, lawns, and gardens. Additionally, the eastern garter snake is the most common in Pennsylvania.

Their colors range from green to dark brown with prominent yellow stripes. Contrary to the popular belief, these snakes do have venom. However, it is not toxic to humans; it only slows down their prey.

What do they do?

Snakes enter homes and structures through small gaps around the perimeter. This also includes open basement windows or cracks in the foundation. Moreover, they enter in search of shelter, food, or both.

While entry points near ground level are ideal, black snakes are excellent climbers. They often climb brick, siding, or other rough surfaces to gain access to gaps along the roofline.

About the Snake Removal Process

All snakes in PA are protected by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. For more information about local breeds of snakes, click here to be taken to their official website.

First, we fully inspect the perimeter of your home during the initial site visit. From there, we discuss trapping and removal options. We can then place traps and physically remove snakes without harm. Additionally, we relocate them to more suitable locations. Moreover, a range of exclusion techniques is available to prevent future issues.

If you have a snake or another animal in your home, call us, or use our contact form.

Backyard Wildlife Solutions offers snake removal services in Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, York, Reading, and surrounding areas.

Category: Snake Removal