How To Get Rid Of Copperhead Snakes

Copperhead snakes are venomous pit vipers, and while it is possible for a homeowner or business owner to attempt removal themselves, it’s risky and should only be done with extreme caution. If you’re intent on addressing the problem without our professional assistance, the safest and most effective approach focuses on repelling and excluding copperheads rather than direct handling or capture. Here’s how to get rid of copperhead snakes:

Identify and Confirm the Snake

Before taking any action, make sure the snake is actually a copperhead. Many harmless species—like juvenile rat snakes or milk snakes—mimic their coloration.

Copperhead identification: hourglass-shaped bands, coppery-brown head, and a stocky body.
If you’re not 100% sure, do not approach; take a photo from a safe distance and consult a pest professional or wildlife expert.

Keep a Safe Distance

Never attempt to corner, handle, or kill the snake. Copperheads can strike up to half their body length and will defend themselves when threatened. Stay at least 10–15 feet away and keep pets and children inside.

Remove Attractants

Copperheads are drawn to properties with abundant shelter and prey (mainly rodents, frogs, and insects). To make your property less appealing:

Eliminate rodent activity: seal food sources, use traps, and remove bird feeders that spill seed.
Trim vegetation: keep grass short, clear brush piles, woodpiles, and leaf litter.
Move firewood and debris at least 20 feet from buildings.
Reduce moisture: fix leaky hoses, sprinklers, or irrigation that attract frogs and insects.

Seal Entry Points

Inspect your property for potential hiding or entry points:

Seal gaps under sheds, porches, and foundations with ½-inch hardware cloth or caulk.
Close openings around doors, vents, and utility lines.
Install door sweeps and weather stripping to keep snakes from slithering indoors.

Use Snake Repellents and Deterrents

While no repellent is 100% effective, some can help discourage copperheads:

Sulfur-based repellents or naphthalene-based granules may create an unpleasant scent barrier.
Essential oil blends (like cinnamon, clove, or eugenol) are more natural alternatives, though they need frequent reapplication.
Apply repellents around foundations, outbuildings, and property perimeters, especially near wooded or rocky areas.

Trap with Caution

If you must trap, use commercially available snake traps:

Glue-board or funnel traps designed for snakes can work indoors (garages, basements, sheds).
Always check traps frequently and release snakes far away (at least a few miles from your property, in a wooded area).
Wear thick gloves and never touch the snake directly.

Stay Alert

After one sighting, assume there could be more—especially during spring and fall, when copperheads are most active. Regularly inspect areas around foundations, landscaping, and storage spaces.

When to Call Our Professionals

If you spot multiple snakes, can’t locate their hiding place, or suspect they’re nesting, contact our licensed pest control and wildlife removal experts immediately. Our professionals have the training and equipment to remove venomous snakes safely and implement long-term exclusion strategies.

The best DIY approach to copperhead removal centers on habitat modification, exclusion, and prevention, not confrontation. While repellents and traps can offer some control, nothing replaces the effectiveness—or safety—of professional removal when dealing with venomous snakes.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Copperhead Snakes

Our professional snake removal is unquestionably the safest, most effective, and most reliable method for getting rid of copperhead snakes. Because copperheads are venomous pit vipers, any attempt at removal by an untrained person carries significant health and safety risks. Our pest control and wildlife experts have the knowledge, tools, and training to eliminate these snakes efficiently and prevent future infestations. Here’s why hiring our professionals is the best option:

Safety from Venomous Bites

Copperheads may not be the most venomous snakes in North America, but their bites are still medically significant and can cause severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage.

Untrained handling is dangerous: Copperheads often blend into their surroundings, strike quickly, and can bite even after decapitation.
Our professionals use specialized equipment such as snake tongs, hooks, and protective boots to handle and remove the snake without risk to humans or pets.
Avoiding a hospital trip—and potentially thousands of dollars in medical bills—is reason enough to leave removal to our experts.

Accurate Identification

Many homeowners mistake non-venomous species for copperheads, or vice versa. Misidentification can lead to unnecessary panic or dangerous handling.

Our professionals can accurately identify whether the snake is venomous, what species it is, and whether it’s solitary or part of a larger infestation.
Proper identification determines the correct removal technique and prevention strategy.

Humane and Legal Removal

Depending on your state, certain snakes may be protected wildlife, and killing or relocating them improperly can violate local laws.

Our licensed wildlife control technicians follow state and federal regulations to ensure that removal is both humane and legal.
We relocate snakes to appropriate habitats far from human dwellings without disrupting the local ecosystem.

Advanced Detection and Exclusion

Our professionals don’t just remove the visible snake—we locate and eliminate the source of the problem.

Our experts perform thorough inspections to find entry points, nesting areas, and prey sources (like rodents or insects).
We then install exclusion barriers, seal cracks, and modify habitats to make your property unattractive to future snakes.
This proactive approach prevents repeat infestations, saving homeowners time, money, and stress.

Long-Term Prevention

Snake control is not a one-time job—it’s an ongoing process that includes monitoring, exclusion, and habitat management.

Our professionals create a customized prevention plan based on the property’s layout, landscaping, and surrounding environment.
This may include ongoing treatments or repellents, rodent and insect control to remove food sources, and routine inspections to ensure long-term protection.

Peace of Mind and Guaranteed Results

We provide guaranteed removal and ongoing protective services.

Homeowners and business owners can rest assured that the problem has been fully resolved and that future encounters are far less likely.
Our professional accountability provides confidence and security that DIY methods simply cannot.

Comprehensive Property Protection

Our professionals don’t just deal with the immediate threat—we help protect the entire property.

By assessing environmental factors such as tall grass, woodpiles, and cluttered storage areas, they help property owners make lasting improvements.
This holistic strategy defends against not only copperheads but also other pests that attract snakes, such as rodents and insects.

Our professional snake removal is the best way to get rid of copperhead snakes because it ensures safety, accuracy, legality, and long-term prevention. Our experts don’t just eliminate the danger—we address the root causes that led to the infestation in the first place. For homeowners and businesses alike, hiring our trained professionals provides unmatched protection, compliance, and peace of mind.

Get Rid Of Copperhead Snakes With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!