How to Catch a Snake
If you’ve spotted a snake in your area, lawn or home, you can actually catch it on your own without calling animal control. A word of caution: If you don’t know what kind of snake you’re dealing with, err on the side of caution. Catching a venomous snake is a very real threat to your life, so if you’re unsure what snake it is that you’ve seen, call animal control.
Tools
A long stick (a snake stick is preferred)
Pillowcase or garbage can
Procedure
Start looking for the snake if it’s managed to escape you. Snakes like staying in cool areas away from the sun, so they’re likely to stay under rocks or objects that are bigger than them, like cabinets, books and others. When you do begin overturning things, be sure to keep distance or have the stick with you to avoid getting bitten at.
caught snake
Once you’ve spotted the snake, if you can, try to approach it from behind. A snake stick should come in handy in this situation. If you’re not familiar with a snake stick, it’s basically a long firm stick with a hook at the end. The hook is used to hook the snake on at least one end. Two snake sticks will allow you a better hold on the snake.
Hold down the snake’s head using your stick. Do this firmly to prevent the snake from turning around and striking you.
Once you have the snake’s head down using the stick(don’t do this too hard or you might end up killing the snake), grasp the sides of its head using your pointer finger and your thumb. Be sure to grasp the snake very firmly, or else it might escape. Keep the head as far away from your body as possible.
Gently slip the snake into a pillowcase and the the top closed. Leave the snake alone for a while until it calms down. You can then bring the snake to the nearest zone or animal control.
An alternate way of catching a snake is by using a broom to brush it inside an empty garbage can. However, keep in mind that snakes are very quick and quite strong, so you’ll have to be quick and decisive in your movements as well. Remember, safety first. For more information on snake removal, read how to get rid of snakes, however if you want to keep it as a pet, learn how to care for a snake.