I Have a Snake in My Pool
There’s a snake in my pool! It’s not something you hear of everyday but occasionally a Florida homeowner will step outside to find a snake in their pool. Now, unless you are an aspiring Steve Irwin, you would have no idea what to do in this situation. You likely don’t know what type of snake you may be dealing with, if it is poisonous, or what to do to get rid of it.
Why is there a Snake in my Pool?
Although you may occasionally spot a snake in your pool, a refreshing swim is not what is attracting them to your yard. In fact, snakes will not go into a chlorinated pool as the chemicals are not good for them. Typically, snakes find their way into our pools when chasing prey and fall in accidentally.
So, if it’s not your beautiful pool, what is attracting these snakes? Like any other animal, snakes need shelter, food, and water to survive. Depending on the condition of your backyard you may be creating the perfect environment for snakes to call home.
Untrimmed Bushes and Grass
If you have large bushes and long grass in your yard this creates the perfect hiding space for snakes. Snakes we can’t see hiding in our yards are just as dangerous, if not more so, than those found in our pools. Children or pets running by can become the unsuspecting victim of a snake bite without ever knowing there’s a threat.
It’s best to regularly trim bushes and grass to prevent providing shelter to any snakes making their way through your yard. If any snakes are currently in the area, trimming back bushes and mowing the lawn will disturb them, and they should move on peacefully.
Feeding Pets Outside
Another common practice that may attract snakes is feeding our pets outside. Although this keeps your home free of pet food, it can attract snakes as well. This it is especially true if you are free feeding or your animals don’t finish all of the food in their bowl after every meal.
In order to reduce this potential attraction, it’s best to make sure that your pets don’t leave food in their bowl after a meal. In addition, it’s important to pay attention to how you store their food. It’s best to store any food that is kept outside in a sealed container so that snakes don’t come looking for a snack.
Standing Water
Although snakes are not attracted to pool water, they do need water to survive. If your backyard has low points or areas that collect standing water, this can be a source of freshwater for nearby snakes.
Having these areas filled or installing drainage to direct water away can further reduce the attractiveness of your yard to snakes.
Types of Snakes in Florida
There are 44 species of snakes that call Florida home. Only 6 of these are venomous. So, the likelihood of saying there is a snake in my pool and it being venomous is relatively low. However, it is best to assume that any snake is venomous unless an expert tells you otherwise. The main snakes you need to worry about finding in your yard or pool are:
- Cottonmouth
- Copperhead
- Eastern Coral Snake
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
- Timber Rattlesnake
- Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
Keep in mind that although most people are frightened of snakes, even venomous ones typically pose little threat to humans. Snakes do not go out of their way to attack us and rather try to avoid us. When people are bitten by snakes, it is most commonly because we have threatened them in some way.
What to Do?
If you do happen to find a snake in my pool, first give me a call…actually, there is really only one thing to do. Call in the professionals. Although, some homeowners may feel confident in their abilities to handle a potentially venomous snake, this is never a wise decision. Even a non-venomous snake, can and will leave a painful bite.
Snakes can be unpredictable to an untrained person and can be aggressive when they feel threatened. For example, when a homeowner tries to scoop it out of a pool with a rake. So, save yourself the trouble and make sure your yard is well maintained, you don’t leave food or water around, and call in the professionals if you do find a snake in your pool.
