How do you exterminate snakes?

Answer 1

It is better not to kill snakes if you can help it. Non poisonous snakes can actually help keep the poisonous ones away. They will also take care of rodents and many insects. Sometimes you may be in a more urgent situation. You can always shoot a snake, but only if you are experienced with firearms. It could be easy to shoot someone in the foot while trying to hit the snake if you not experienced with a firearm. Another method I have used when put in a situation I could not back away from a cottonmouth was to lop its head off with a shovel. You have to be careful doing this, and be forewarned, it is just nasty to have to do. You have to make up your mind, and do it with meaning. If you do not strike hard, you are just going to make the snake more angry.

A better method is to keep your area clean. It's not foolproof, but it helps a lot. Keep yards mowed, stacks of pots contained, stacks of old limbs disposed, and so on. If your yard is not full of comfy hiding spots for them, they are less likely to stick around.