A snake trap is one of the best inventions because techniques like repellents don’t work as effectively as this does, especially for those facing serious snake infestation. The term is self-explanatory, yet some might wonder what is a snake trap.
It is understandable for a person facing snake problems for the first time to ponder, what is a snake trap? What are its types? How does it work? These are common questions you would want to know about, especially when you look up ways to forbid snakes from entering your place. Read below, and all your queries will be answered.
Table of Contents
What is a Snake Trap?
As the name suggests, a snake trap is an apparatus made to catch snakes, like some sort of box or cage. When you dig deeper, you will find many variations in snake traps, ranging from various sizes to designs.
One can make a snake trap at home; you just need to have the right accessories and know the proper steps to make it.
What are the Different Types of Snake Traps?
Snake traps are available in different designs and sizes. From meshed cages to cardboard boxes to plastic tubular designs, there are many options to choose from. Whatever the type and design, the basic principle is the same, to capture these wiggly trouble-makers.
I have briefly stated the common types of snake traps for your convenience in the article below.
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Glue Trap
It is called a glue trap because it has an adhesive layer on the surface of cardboard or a wooden sheet. It is the most common and cheapest category of snake traps. You might find a glue trap made of a box with a sticky sheet inside. Glue trap boxes are best for the transportation and relocation of snakes because of their safe design.
You will find glue traps in two forms: reusable and one-time-use traps. These traps are available in different sizes. Thus, you can pick the size according to the physique of the invader you want to trap.
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Minnow Trap
Popular minnow-style traps are made up of wire mesh with inverted narrow ends, blocking the exits. As the term ‘minnow’ describes, this trap is mainly designed for seizing fish. However, they also transform into prison cells for snakes.
A snake can be coaxed to slither inside by placing some sort of bait in the middle of the mesh cage. I personally prefer fresh eggs over inanimate substances because snakes find them appetising.
The only significant drawback of minnow traps is that a snake can easily escape the second you open one of the exits. And you never know whether it will flee away from you or towards you. So, use these for non-venomous, docile serpents only to be on the safe side.
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Maze Trap
A maze trap is the most sturdy and heavy-duty of all types of snake traps. It is either made of wood or a heavy-duty board. Like its name, this has a wooden channel rotating throughout the design like a maze. Once again, you need to place some sort of bait or attractant to compel the serpent to enter the maze. It has a cap/lid to close the path, ensuring the trapped creature doesn’t find an exit. You should take the lid off only when it is completely safe to release the prisoner.
How Does a Snake Trap Work?
No rocket science or confusing algorithm is involved in the use of a snake trap. You just need to pay attention to a few key aspects and the culprit will fall right into the trap.
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Identification
The first step is to identify the type, size and diet of the snake disturbing your peace. These clues will help you pick the right type and size of trap for the invader.
A simple example will help you understand my point. If you have an adult, beefy black snake or copperhead living on the premises, a small glue trap box will not be able to hold it for you. A maze or minnow trap will be best for such grown-up pythons.
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Placement of the Trap
Your next step is to place the trap in an area where you notice heavy snake traffic. For instance, if you have observed frequent snake activity in your garden or basement, you should set the trap there.
I heard from a wildlife expert that when you place a snake trap anywhere in the house, make sure it blends with the surrounding. Snakes aren’t as dumb as you think; they might sense the false play if the trap is too obvious.
A Tip: While selecting a location for setting the trap, choose a shady place as overexposure to the sun isn’t good for these slithering creatures.
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Source of Bait
“Come on, you annoying snaky, get inside the trap”. As much as we want, this mantra doesn’t work. You need proper bait or some sort of attractive substance to persuade the snake to enter the trap. Some commercial traps mimic the scent of food or such attractive substance to coax snakes. But, they aren’t very effective because snakes don’t appreciate dead meat.
The most effective baits are live rodents or fresh eggs of chicken or birds. Yes, use their love for mice and rats against them. Gotcha!
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Check the Trap Frequently
This is the easiest of all the steps. Just sit back and wait for the invader to fall right into your trap. While you wait for the trap to work, regularly check the apparatus to see whether that monster got caught or is still on the loose. Else, the area will start smelling like a corpse if the snake is left trapped for some time. Ew!
Letting the poor soul rot and die in the trap isn’t just unsanitary, it is also very callous.
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Handle the Snake/Relocate
That’s the hardest part, I think. You need to tackle the snake with caution and care because even if the snake is non-venomous and docile, it can still inflict a painful fang-bite if pissed. Wildlife experts and professional exterminators strictly prohibit people from handling the snake themselves if they aren’t sure of its type and behaviour.
You should carry the whole trap in your vehicle to a safe habitat, approximately 10 miles away from your property. Release the serpent there. Just make sure your chosen location isn’t close to a residential area. Otherwise, the annoying creature will invade some other poor soul’s property.
Your job is done. You can be on your merry way now.
Conclusion
Like any animal trap, there’s a trap for snakes too. You will find them in different designs and sizes to trap all sorts of serpents. Using a snake trap is an easy and effective way to deal with an unwelcoming invader snake. You can choose the right trap if you know what type of snake you’re up against. If you set the right trap the right way, the disturbing creature will get caught sooner than expected. Take the trap away from your place and set the prisoner loose. You can rid yourself of the annoyance just like that. Also, you should know how to remove the snake from the trap after using snake the right away.
