Snake Removal Cost

• Hiring a professional to remove a snake from a home or property can cost $100 -$600 or more depending on local rates, travel times, the type and size of the snake and how difficult it is to remove. Some companies have different prices for venomous and non-venomous snakes, while others charge the same rates regardless of the type of snake (and may recommend keeping non-venomous snakes on the property). For example, Houston Wildlife Patrol charges $129 for an initial inspection plus $169 to remove a non-venomous snake or $239 for a venomous one, while All State Animal Control in Utah does not distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes and estimates that its total snake removal fees are $300 -$600. And Southern California Snake Removal charges $100 -$125 for removing a snake with up to an hour of searching the property, but its fees for under-house searches start at $300 and go up from there because under-house inspections are the most dangerous.
• Once a snake is gone, it's important to prevent future snake incursions. Preventive measures may include blocking holes or openings that allow snakes access into the home, removing debris and other items that provide hiding spots, or eliminating sources of potential snake food by cutting down the rodent and insect populations (see How Much Does Pest Control Cost). Basic preventive measures can add $100 -$500 or more to the total cost, depending on the scope of the problem. For example, Wildlife Patrol in Florida estimates its average snake prevention project costs $200, while Houston Wildlife Patrol charges $300 for snake prevention, which includes applying king snake musk around the perimeter of the house and property.
• Snake fencing is a 1/4-inch mesh attached to an existing fence with the mesh buried a foot deep. Having snake fencing installed costs $7 -$9 a linear foot, or $400 -$550 for a fence along three sides of a 20'x20' back yard.
• Cornering a snake makes it more likely to strike; many people who get bit by a snake do so while attempting to capture it. However, do-it-yourself snake traps are available for $25 -$60. For example, SnakeRemovalTrap.com offers a do-it-yourself snake trap for $25 plus $5 shipping; this trap can hold a snake up to five feet long and two inches in diameter. A simple long-handled snake hook for picking up and moving non-venomous snakes can cost $5 -$50+ depending on length and quality of materials. Snake tongs with a grasping claw-like device on one end can cost $50 -$125 or more, depending on handle length and type of materials. Non-poisonous snakes should be released at least a mile away from the capture site, and it may be necessary to call a wildlife removal specialist to take away a venomous snake.

• The wildlife removal company should do an initial inspection to determine the scope of the problem, including identifying entry points for the snake and whether there are any baby snakes. The representative should explain how the snake will be trapped, what will happen to the snake after it's captured and what needs to be done to make the home more snake-proof.
• Because snakes are cold-blooded, they generally hibernate during cold weather and are most active in times of intense heat. Snakes are mostly nocturnal, and will generally feed at night, which is when people and pets run the greatest risk of getting a snakebite. The Colorado State University Extension Program provides an overview on coping with snakes.

• If a person is bitten by a rattlesnake or other poisonous snake and immediately taken to a hospital, treatment can require between 10-30 vials of anti-venom at about $650 -$700 per vial, with total treatment costs running $7,000 -$35,000 or more. Rattlesnake bites are not usually fatal, but can have serious health consequences, such as amputation.
• Treating a dog or cat for a rattlesnake bite costs $1,500 -$3,000 or more. A rattlesnake vaccine for dogs which makes dogs resistant to rattlesnake venom can cost $25 -$50 per shot. This vaccine is only available through a veterinarian.

• Search for a snake removal specialist at the National Wildlife Control Operators Association or at Wildlife-Removal.com.
• The Humane Society of the United States lists tips for choosing a wildlife control company.

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