Glue trap
If you spot a snake hanging around your living quarters, the most humane way of handling it is catching it and releasing it to animal protection services or back to the wild. Killing the animal should not be your to-go option, even if the snake poses a danger to you and your loved ones. While capturing it is the best option, you must be adequately prepared to do it as snakes tend to slither away very fast.
To safely capture a snake, you can use a snake trap. Traps are readily available in most convenience stores around the United States of America at very affordable prices. There are different types of traps that you can use depending on the size and type of snake you spotted.
Glue trap most people are familiar with glue traps, and they are pretty efficient in capturing both small and bigger snakes. Typically, these traps are made of sheets of cardboard of wood and an adhesive in which the snake sticks to once it glides into the trap.
Usually, the adhesive is used together with a bait that entices the snake. The animal then gets stuck to the glue or adhesive once it creeps in. Once it is trapped, you can place it in a box for safe relocation. To release it safely, all you need to do is pour vegetable oil on the adhesive, and the snake will slide off the trap.
- Maze trap
Just like the glue trap, the maze trap is made of wood or heavy-duty cardboard. However, it does not have any adhesive. Instead, it has a wooden channel that is set to rotate throughout the trap. The rotation lures and guides the snake into the trap.
This trap’s design allows the snake to get in, but not back out again as it has a lid. Usually, the trap has a bait inside to attract the snake to get in. After capturing and safe transportation, you have to remove the trap’s lip to release the animal back into the forest or in an animal protection center.
- Minnow trap
The minnow trap is suitable in situations where many snakes need to be trapped. These traps are made of wire mesh and are cylindrical in shape. The cylinders made of mesh have inverting holes on either end, meaning that each of the ends is funnel-shaped.
You can choose the kind of bait that you want to use, but most people use fresh eggs to lure the animal into the trap. Since the cylinder becomes narrower as the animal goes in, it becomes very difficult to get out once the bait has lured it.
NOTE: For any of the above traps to work, you have to place them strategically, that is, in places where the snake is frequently spotted. It is also crucial to choose an appropriate bait. Snakes do not eat dead meat, so fresh eggs are a more suitable option. Always be cautious when dealing with snakes.