Although snakes are not exactly a common pest that people in HDB flats regularly deal with, there are some occasions where they find their way into your property or, worse, your landed property home. Given their immense danger, snakes must be approached and dealt with carefully and, ideally, with the help of pest control services which are more knowledgeable and better equipped to handle them. Below, we cover the steps to keeping snakes at bay, from identifying them to removing them safely from your property when possible.

Identifying the common types of snakes in Singapore

Tackling a pest issue always starts with identifying what you are up against, especially if it is potentially dangerous, like snakes. If you suspect the snake in your yard may be venomous, do not attempt to manage it yourself. But depending on where you live, there is a good chance you may simply be facing one of many non-venomous snakes inherent in your region.

That said, snakes typically slither so fast that you may have difficulty identifying them if you are unsure what to look for. In such cases, making an educated guess is the next best thing, and several factors must be considered. The following are some common types of snakes in Singapore that present a serious threat, given their venomous nature.

1. Branded Malayan coral snake

Commonly found in parks, forests, and gardens, this venomous snake is easily identifiable by its redding stripe along the entire top side of its body and bright red tail with contrasting black and white stripes on its underside that it portrays when threatened.

They typically feast on other snakes, and since they are nocturnal creatures, it can be challenging to spot them at night or in dark areas. Their small size belies their potent venom, so it is best to steer clear of them if sighted.

2. Black spitting cobra

Also known as the Naja Sumatrana, this snake can deliver venom at range to any potential threats that may come close to it as well as through their normal bite. The black spitting cobra is normally black in colour or black with a slight bluish tinge. These snakes respond aggressively when provoked by standing tall, erecting their hood, and hissing, with their last resort being to spit at the eyes of the threat. Their habitat mainly includes cool places like drains, garden walls, and shelters, and they search for amphibians and rodents to feed on.

3. Oriental whip snake

While the oriental whip snake is venomous, the amount of toxins they have is insufficient to be lethal for humans. It has a slim and small stature and typically possesses green-coloured scales that make them blend easily into the surrounding vegetation. They may have other colour variations from bright green to light brown and can grow up to two metres in length. The oriental whip snake is most active during the day and resides in residential areas, parks, and forests, searching for prey.

The reasons and common signs you have snakes 

Just like other pesky visitors entering your backyard or home, snakes may end in your property searching for food or shelter. Some may linger about if they have easy access to things like:

• Rats and mice
• Frogs
• Moles
• Grasshoppers
• Slugs
• Snails

Snakes can also find shelter in piles of leaves, compost, and areas with water. Cool places like ventilation ports, firewood containers, and broken gutters are common hiding spots where snakes can escape the heat. If they are sighted around your property, some of the common signs that they may still be around are:

• Snake holes
• Shed snakeskin
• Snake droppings
• Tracks on the dirt from their slithering
• Strange smells emanating from enclosed spaces

Tips on getting rid of snakes

If you spot a snake in your lawn, be doubly sure that they are of the non-venomous kind before attempting to remove them yourself. When in doubt, it is best to call in professional pest control for your safety.

1. In the yard

• Spray them with a hose

Once you are sure they do not pose a threat, get a hose and gently spray water at the snake from afar to get them moving along.

• Use snake repellent

Snake repellent is typically a specialised product that can throw off a snake’s sense of smell and deter them from making its nest in your yard. There are also home remedies like white vinegar that can do the same thing, and in this case, you can rim your yard, garden, or pool with vinegar to repel them.

• Trap them with a container

If you already called in the professionals to remove the snake on the same day, you can use a big container like an empty garbage can to ensure they do not scurry away and hide deeper into your property. Again, only attempt this if you are absolutely certain that it is safe to approach the snake.

• Remove standing water

Look around your home and yard for pools of water in hidden places like under a storage area or by the hose. Removing them forces many types of snakes to find somewhere else to nest.

• Remove potential shelters

Snakes prefer to hide in sheltered places away from their natural predators. Some common areas where they can find such places include tall grasses and underneath sheds and storage areas.

• Fill in holes

Snakes often co-opt burrows made by other animals for themselves. If you find such burrows around your home, fill them in with dirt or gravel to discourage snakes from making them their home.

2. In the house

A snake in the house poses a bigger issue than if they were outdoors. In this case, call in a pest control specialist if the snake cannot leave by itself, especially if it has escaped your sight. Snakes can find many ways into a home if it has a mouse problem and will most likely not leave on their own if they find plenty of prey to feast on. Call pest control services when you spot these slithering pests inside your house so they can address both the snake and the potential underlying rodent problem that got them there.

Conclusion

Although snakes are generally associated with danger, not all pose a risk. As members of the food chain, their existence helps control unwanted pests like rodents. Harmless snakes can even prey on their venomous kin, further ensuring the safety of your yard. Therefore, take care not to harm them in the removal process and get the experts at PestClinic to ensure the job gets done right.

As a leading and reputable pest control company, we provide cost-effective solutions to a wide range of pest problems, from cockroach treatment to termite control at home in Singapore. For more information about our services, do not hesitate to give us a call.