How to Distinguish Between Venomous and Non-Venomous Snakes
A select few venomous snakes reside in the United States: rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. With a few exceptions, most venomous snakes share distinguishing characteristics that aid in identification.
All species of North American venomous snakes belong to a group called pit vipers, named for the deep depressions found on either side of their heads midway between their eyes and nostrils. Non-venomous species do not have these.
Additionally, venomous snakes' scales tend to appear in a single row on the undersides of their bodies, whereas harmless species have two rows of scales. Therefore, close scrutiny of shed skins found around private properties helps distinguish which types of snakes are present.
Furthermore, venomous snakes tend to have triangular or spade-shaped heads. However, since coral snakes do not share this feature despite being venomous, property owners should not use head shape as definitive means of identification.
Venomous and non-venomous snakes also have differently shaped pupils. Pit vipers have vertically elliptical, or egg-shaped, pupils that may appear slit-like depending on the lighting, while non-dangerous species of snakes have perfectly round pupils.
Protection & Removal
Property owners must be fairly close to snakes to view the aforementioned distinguishing features. This leaves individuals in danger of being bitten. In order to avoid the risk of snake bites, residents should simply contact the trained wildlife removal specialists at Critter Control at the first sight of snake activity.
Learn more about snake removal.
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Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
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Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
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