Seeing a snake near your home can be alarming – but most snakes in Eastern North Carolina are harmless and actually help control rodents. They chase down mice, rats, and other small pests that would otherwise move into your crawlspace, attic, and storage areas.
This guide from D & D Pest Control Co. will help you understand which snakes you’re likely to see, what products like Snake-A-Way and Tiger Brand Sulfur really do, and practical steps you can take to make your property less inviting to snakes in the first place.
Snakes in Eastern North Carolina: Friend, Foe, or Both?
North Carolina is home to 37 species of snakes, with only six venomous species statewide. In Eastern North Carolina neighborhoods, most of the snakes people see are nonvenomous and avoid people when given the chance.
Snakes are attracted to areas that offer:
- Food – especially rodents, frogs, small birds, and insects
- Shelter – piles of wood, junk, rocks, tall grass, crawlspaces, and gaps under sheds
- Moisture – shaded, damp spots, low areas that stay wet, and cool crawlspaces
Because D & D Pest Control Co. specializes in rodent control, moisture control, and crawlspace work, we routinely help homeowners tackle the conditions that attract both mice and the snakes that feed on them.
Common Snakes You May See in Eastern North Carolina
There are many species in our region, but these are among the most commonly seen around homes and yards in Eastern NC.
Nonvenomous Snakes
- Black Rat Snake (Eastern Rat Snake)
Often called a “chicken snake,” this large, mostly black snake is common around barns, sheds, and attics where rodents are present. They are excellent climbers and important rodent predators. - Black Racer
A slender, fast-moving black snake often seen darting across lawns or roads. Racers are nonvenomous and very active hunters of insects, small reptiles, and rodents. - Corn Snake (Red Rat Snake)
A beautifully patterned orange-brown snake sometimes mistaken for a copperhead. Corn snakes are nonvenomous, mild-mannered, and very helpful rodent controllers. - Eastern Garter Snake & Ribbon Snake
Medium-sized snakes with lengthwise stripes. They are commonly found near damp areas and gardens, feeding on frogs, earthworms, and small prey. - Brown Snake & Ring-Necked Snake
Small, secretive snakes that hide under rocks, logs, and debris in yards and gardens. They feed mainly on slugs, worms, and soft-bodied insects, helping with natural pest control. - Rough Green Snake
A bright green, vine-like snake often seen in shrubs and trees. It eats insects and spiders and is completely harmless to people. - Water Snakes (e.g., Banded, Plain-Bellied, Northern Water Snakes)
Nonvenomous snakes that live around ponds, creeks, and drainage ditches. Frequently mistaken for cottonmouths, but most water snakes are harmless fish and frog eaters.
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes are less common in typical yards, but they do occur in Eastern North Carolina.
- Copperhead – The most commonly encountered venomous snake in many NC neighborhoods. Copperheads have hourglass-shaped bands and often blend in with leaf litter.
- Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) – Found around swamps, creeks, and backwaters. They are more restricted to wet habitats but may show up near rural properties.
- Timber or Pigmy Rattlesnakes – Present in parts of the state in specific habitats. Encounters in typical residential neighborhoods are relatively rare.
Never attempt to handle or capture a venomous snake. If you are unsure about identification, keep your distance and contact your local wildlife agency or a qualified wildlife control professional for advice.
About Snake Repellents: Snake-A-Way, Sulfur & Other Products
Many homeowners ask if they can simply sprinkle something around the yard to keep snakes away. The honest answer: repellents can play a minor role, but they are not a magic force field.
Snake-A-Way® Granular Snake Repellent
Snake-A-Way is a widely sold granular snake repellent. It is registered with the EPA and uses naphthalene and sulfur as active ingredients.
- Applied in bands around buildings or yard perimeters
- Works by disrupting the snake’s Jacobson’s organ (their chemical-sensing system), encouraging them to turn away
- Some tests report high repellency rates for certain species (e.g., garter snakes, rattlesnakes)
- Needs re-application as the odor fades or after heavy rain
However, wildlife agencies and herpetologists note that many commercial snake repellents show mixed or limited real-world effectiveness, and they stress that habitat modification is more reliable than chemicals alone.
Tiger Brand Sulfur & Other Sulfur Products
Sulfur powder (including products like Tiger Brand Sulfur) is often promoted as a snake repellent. Marketing materials emphasize that the strong smell can bother snakes and cause them to avoid treated bands.
But research and extension references have found that:
- Sulfur alone has not been reliably proven to repel snakes in controlled tests
- Snakes have been observed crawling directly through sulfur bands in field studies
- Relying only on sulfur can give homeowners a false sense of security
In short, sulfur products may have some odor-based effect in certain situations, but they should not be your primary line of defense against snakes around the home.
Other “Snake Repellent” Gadgets & Home Remedies
You’ll see all kinds of other products and folk remedies advertised:
- Ultrasonic or vibrating stakes
- Mothballs spread in the yard
- Lime, diesel, and other home-brew mixtures
Mothballs and some homemade mixtures can be dangerous to people, pets, and the environment, and there is little evidence that they reliably repel snakes. Wildlife agencies routinely warn against using these methods.
Bottom line: Products like Snake-A-Way and sulfur can be one small part of your strategy, but the real key to fewer snakes is reducing food, shelter, and easy hiding spots around your home.
Best Practices for Keeping Snakes Away from Your Home
Snakes come onto properties in search of food, shelter, and water. If you remove those attractions, most snakes will move on to better habitat. Extension publications and the National Pesticide Information Center emphasize these steps:
1. Control Rodents & Other Food Sources
- Seal pet food, bird seed, and livestock feed in tight containers
- Do not leave pet food outside overnight
- Use traps and professional rodent control if you see signs of mice or rats
- Clean up spilled grain or feed around sheds and barns
Because snakes follow their nose to where the prey is, controlling rodents is one of the most effective snake-reduction strategies.
2. Eliminate Hiding Places Near the House
- Keep grass mowed and weeds trimmed around the foundation and fence lines
- Remove junk piles, old boards, sheet metal, and unused equipment
- Store firewood on racks at least 12 inches off the ground and away from the house
- Clean up rock piles, bricks, and stacked materials where snakes and rodents can hide
Snakes are less likely to hang around a yard that is open, tidy, and free of deep ground cover close to the home.
3. Seal Gaps into Crawlspaces & Buildings
- Seal openings into crawlspaces, basements, and garages that are larger than about 1/4 inch with hardware cloth, caulk, or foam.
- Repair broken foundation vents and screens
- Use door sweeps on exterior doors that do not close tightly
A snug, well-sealed home is less inviting to both rodents and snakes.
4. Manage Moisture & Drainage
- Fix leaking hose bibs and downspouts that keep soil constantly wet
- Correct grading issues that allow standing water near the foundation
- Consider professional crawlspace moisture control if you have chronic dampness
Cool, moist areas are attractive to both amphibians and snakes. Reducing excess moisture around your home helps reduce wildlife traffic overall.
5. Use Repellent Products Thoughtfully (Optional)
- If you choose to use Snake-A-Way or similar granular products, follow the label exactly, apply in bands, and re-apply as directed.
- Understand that repellents are just one small piece of the puzzle and may not stop every snake.
- Do not rely on sulfur alone as your only snake-control method.
What to Do If You Find a Snake in or Around Your Home
If you see a snake, the safest first step is often to back away and give it space. Many snakes will leave on their own if they are not cornered. NC State Extension recommends:
- Try to visually identify the snake from a safe distance (photo if safe to do so)
- If it is clearly nonvenomous and inside, you can gently sweep it out with a broom or use a long-handled tool to guide it through an open door
- Do not attempt to handle or kill a snake you believe could be venomous
- If in doubt, contact your local wildlife agency or animal control for guidance
If someone is bitten by a snake that might be venomous, seek medical attention immediately and follow emergency instructions. Do not attempt home remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snakes Around Homes
Are all snakes in my yard dangerous?
No. The majority of snakes you will see in Eastern North Carolina are nonvenomous and actually help control rodents and insects. Venomous species are in the minority, and bites are largely avoidable when snakes are left alone.
Will killing snakes reduce the snake population around my house?
Not necessarily. As long as you have rodents, hiding places, and moisture around your home, more snakes are likely to move in. It is more effective to focus on habitat changes and rodent control than to simply kill individual snakes.
Can pest control spray something to “get rid of” snakes?
There is no standard pesticide spray that kills only snakes. Instead, we:
- Target rodents and insects that attract snakes
- Address moisture and harborages in crawlspaces and around foundations
- Offer guidance on landscaping and exclusion to reduce encounters
Are commercial snake repellents worth trying?
Products like Snake-A-Way are EPA-registered and have shown some repellency in tests, but real-world results can be inconsistent. They may be worth trying in combination with habitat modification, but they should not replace yard clean-up, rodent control, and sealing entry points.
Who should I call about snakes?
For immediate safety concerns or possible venomous snakes, contact your local animal control or wildlife agency. For help with rodents, insects, and moisture problems that attract snakes to your home, call D & D Pest Control Co.
How D & D Pest Control Co. Helps With Snake Issues
D & D Pest Control Co. does not relocate wildlife, but we are very effective at addressing the root causes that bring snakes close to homes in the first place:
- Rodent control in crawlspaces, attics, and around foundations
- Moisture control and crawlspace services that reduce cool, damp hiding spots
- Exterior pest control to cut down on insects and other prey around the foundation
- Practical guidance on yard clean-up and exclusion tailored to Eastern North Carolina homes
Need Help Reducing Snakes Around Your Home in Eastern North Carolina?
If you are seeing snakes near your house, you probably have rodents, moisture, or shelter conditions that need to be addressed.
Call D & D Pest Control Co. today at (252) 523-8255 or visit ddpestcontrol.com to schedule an inspection.
We’ll help you tackle the conditions attracting snakes – so your Eastern North Carolina home can be safer, drier, and less inviting to both pests and their predators.
