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Snake Safety on Farms

Most snakes avoid people, but they are part of the farm environment. Reducing hiding places and staying aware lowers the chance of a bite.

Where do you meet snakes on a farm?

Snakes use woodpiles, tall grass, rock piles, hay, old equipment, feed rooms, foundations and brush. They look for food, shelter and warmth. Rodents attract them, so places with rodents tend to attract snakes too. Which species live near you depends on your region.

Ask your county extension office or state wildlife agency which species are present in your area and which are venomous. Learn to identify them from official sources and do not rely on guesses.

Many snakes are harmless and beneficial because they eat rodents. Learning your local species reduces unnecessary fear while keeping respect for the ones that can hurt people.

• Snakes follow food and shelter
• Rodent control reduces snake habitat
• Local species differ

How do you reduce encounters?

Keep grass short around buildings, store wood and materials off the ground and away from walls, and seal gaps in buildings. Control rodents through storage, sanitation and the methods your extension office recommends, and follow product labels.

Wear sturdy boots and long pants where snakes are common, and look before putting hands or feet where you cannot see, such as under hay, boards or equipment. Use a light at night.

Pay particular attention when moving hay bales, stacked lumber, tin or stones, and when cleaning out sheds. Use a tool to lift or move items so your hand is not the first thing to reach a hiding place. If you keep poultry, store feed carefully and collect eggs often. Both reduce rodents, and with them the snakes that follow rodents into coops and sheds.

• Keep vegetation trimmed
• Store materials off the ground
• Seal gaps in buildings
• Look before reaching

What should you do if you see a snake?

Give it room and walk away. Most bites happen when people try to handle, kill or move a snake. Keep children and pets away. If a snake is in a building and you want it removed, call a local wildlife professional or your state wildlife agency.

Do not attempt to catch or kill snakes. It is not required to be safe, and it is how many bites occur.

Keep dogs leashed or supervised near brush. Dogs are curious and are bitten often, so have your veterinarian's emergency number ready.

What should you know about snake bites?

A snake bite is a medical emergency until a professional says otherwise. Call 911 right away. Do not wait to see if symptoms appear. For first aid, follow the dispatcher's instructions and the guidance of the CDC, the American Red Cross and your local poison center, and take a recognized first aid course to learn proper steps.

Do not rely on folk remedies. Many commonly repeated actions are discouraged by medical authorities. Learn the official guidance before an emergency, because there is no time to look it up afterward.

Remember that the person who has been bitten should be kept calm and the dispatcher will guide you. Do not drive yourself if you can wait for help.

How do livestock and pets fit in?

Animals can be bitten as well. Ask your veterinarian what to do and who to call if an animal is bitten, and keep the veterinary emergency number where it can be found quickly. Reducing snake habitat near animal areas helps.

Keep animal feed in sealed containers and clean up spills to reduce rodents, which reduces snakes.

Know which veterinarian near you treats animals after hours, and keep that number in your phone and on the barn wall. Time matters in a bite and is easier to save if the number is ready.

How do you prepare the farm and the family?

Teach everyone on the farm, including children, to leave snakes alone and to tell an adult. Post the emergency number and the farm address. Keep phones charged and make sure workers in remote areas can call out.

Take first aid and CPR courses and refresh them. Ask your local Red Cross chapter or fire department about classes.

Review your emergency plan once a year, including the nearest hospital and how long it takes to reach it, so that nobody wastes time deciding during an emergency.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.