Stay safe from venomous copperheads this summer with these expert tips

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Summer is here and copperheads are out in force in South Carolina.

The most common venomous snake in the state, the copperhead, while it prefers to avoid human contact, can often be found in yards and gardens, which can cause problems for homeowners. However, there are steps you can take to keep the scaly creatures out of your yard and away from your home.

How to identify a copperhead

While keeping copperheads away is the goal, should one happen to slither into your yard, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with before you, your pet or your child have an unfortunate encounter.

The copperhead gets its name from the coppery-tan color on its head and on parts of its body, Clemson Cooperative Extension states. Copperheads have triangular-shaped heads, similar to an arrowhead and can grow up to 4 feet long.

Copperheads also feature an hourglass-shaped pattern on their bodies — from the head down to the tail. When curled up, this camouflage can make them look like a pile of leaves. And like most other venomous snakes in South Carolina, copperheads have yellow eyes with black vertical and elliptical pupils.

Remove copperhead habitat

Copperheads prefer to hide in dense vegetation, leaf piles and other cluttered areas. Clearing out these hiding spots from your yard can help reduce the chances of copperheads taking up residence in your yard, according to Forest Wildlife. Also, keeping your yard’s grass and bushes regularly trimmed will make the area less appealing to copperheads by reducing the amount of cover they can use.

Seal off yard entry points

Snakes can enter your yard through small openings, like holes in your fence or gaps under your doors. Seal off any potential entry points to keep copperheads out of your yard.

Use snake repellents

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