Most calls about snakes in Dallas yards start the same way. Someone spots one near the garage, the woodpile, or the back fence and wants to know two things. Is it dangerous, and why is it here? The short answer to the second question is usually food. Snakes go where the mice and rats are.
Why Snakes in Dallas Yards Show Up in the Fall
In North Texas, snakes stay active well into October and sometimes November. Before cold weather sets in, they hunt hard and look for a sheltered place to spend the winter. At the same time, mice and rats are moving toward houses for warmth. So the snakes follow the rodents to your foundation, shed, and garage.
Texas Rat Snake or Copperhead?
These are the two snakes Dallas homeowners report most often. Here is how they differ:
- Texas rat snake: Long and slim, often four feet or more. The body is gray, brown, or yellowish with dark blotches. It is not venomous and it climbs well, so you may see it in trees, attics, or chicken coops.
- Copperhead: Shorter and thicker, usually two to three feet. It has a copper-colored head and tan bands shaped like an hourglass along the body. It is venomous and tends to stay still in leaf litter, where it blends in.
Color alone can fool you, and young rat snakes can look a lot like copperheads. If you are not sure, treat the snake as venomous. Keep kids and pets away, and never try to pick it up or kill it. Most bites happen when people try to handle a snake. If anyone is bitten, call 911 or go to the ER right away.
What Makes a Yard Attractive to Snakes
Snakes want food, cover, and a cool place to hide. Common draws include:
- Rodent activity around trash cans, bird feeders, and pet food left outside
- Woodpiles, rock piles, and stacked lumber against the house
- Tall grass, thick ground cover, and leaf piles along fences
- Gaps under sheds, decks, and garage doors
How to Make Your Yard Less Inviting
Start with the food supply, because it is the best long-term fix for snakes in Dallas yards. When the rodents go, the snakes lose their reason to stay. Keep the grass short and move woodpiles away from the house. In addition, seal gaps under doors and sheds, and clean up spilled birdseed. For a closer look at which rodent you may be dealing with, read our post on roof rats vs. Norway rats.
Get Help From a Licensed Pro
HK Pest Control Services handles snake control and rodent removal across Dallas, Richardson, and Plano. We find what is drawing snakes to your property and help you cut it off. We are licensed and insured in Texas (TPCL #13923).
Seeing snakes around your home? Call us at 469-618-9991 for a free consultation, backed by our guarantee.
