There is nothing like having a pond on your property. It gives you the great opportunity to have a refreshing swim whenever you want, and many use this is the centerpiece for galas and events that they would like to have at their home. It is absolutely sensational accessory to add to your home.
However, that beautiful pond can be ruined should an animal make its way into the pond. It is not uncommon for people to find such things as chipmunks, squirrels, and other kinds of rodents that have gotten into the pond. In most cases, these rodents die so you are simply removing the carcass from the pond. It’s gross, but not much of a task to complete.
Some kinds of animals are a little bit trickier to try to get out of your pond. One of these is the snake. The snake poses different kinds of challenges for you that can make its removal a little more daunting.
The first thing to consider is whether the snake is alive or not. If it is dead, then your problem is not as big at all. In fact, it is the same as you would have should a chipmunk or squirrel had died in your pond. All you need to do is to use the net that you use to clean your pond to scoop up the animal and drag it out of the pond. To be on the safe side, don’t just throw it into some weeds are over the fence. Place it in some kind of trash bag and throw it in the garbage so that it does not attract other animals looking for a meal. This is just a great safety practice to follow.
If the snake is alive then your task is a little bit different. If you are sure that the snake that is in your pond is non-venomous then you can still use your pond net to be able to capture it. Once you have the snake inside the net you simply pull it out of the water and put it in a location over your fence or in some other area away from where you are located.
The problem with this option is that it leaves room for the snake to find itself right back inside your pond. That seems to be counterproductive when you think about it, so there has to be a better way to resolve this.
The permanent solution to this problem, which is one that you should use if you find that you have a venomous snake inside your pond, is to use your net to permanently resolve the problem. How this is done is quite simple.
First, what you want to do is to take your net and make it so that you have scooped the snake deep within the well of the net. Then, in a very quick motion pull the net out of the water and flip it upside down so that the snake remains in the net but the netting is actually upside down with it toward the surface of the water. In this situation the snake will be unable to get out of the net, and because it needs air to breathe it will suffocate and die.
To be safe, make sure that you keep the snake under the water for at least 10 minutes before deciding to pull it out. Then, pour the dead snake into a garbage bag and throw away in your garbage can. This will handle your problem in your snake will no longer be an issue in your pond.
For more information about How to remove a snake in a pond, go to my Snake Removal - How to Get Rid of Snakes home page.
Hi, I found your site on the web, and had hoped to be able to identify the snake that seems to have taken residence around my backyard pond, but it isn’t like any of the snakes in your pictures (while still your pics are very useful/informative for other central Florida snakes). I’m not really concerned with any danger/nuisance from this reptile, nor do I wish to remove it, I only wish to identify it to ensure that it doesn’t pose a threat to my other chosen pond wildlife ( my frogs and expensive koi fish). I wish I’d taken a picture of it, but it’s difficult to get a sighting because it is very elusive and slithers away rapidly into the plants or rocks around the pond. Perhaps if I describe the snake and its surroundings, you may be able to assist me with identification? The particulars are: it is mainly a bright yellow-green with two dark stripes running the length of its body from head to tail(not banded), about 2 feet long and 2-3 inches in diameter, oval-shaped head and dark eyes, I live in downtown Orlando, close to Lake Davis, and have occasionally seen other, small, dark garden-type snakes of no concern whatsoever, but this green snake I’ve never seen anywhere before (am a native Floridian, having lived in Tampa, St. Pete, and Miami), again, judging by its size, color, and general elusiveness around people, I’m only curious about any potential threat to my pond ecosystem. Please let me know if this information is sufficient for possible identification/threat assessment. Many thanks for your time, Tomás
Sounds like a Yellow Rat Snake. Harmless, and beneficial to have around.
Hi David, Thank you very much for your reply/ identification, I did a little further digging online with your suggestion of Yellow Rat Snake and found another site that pictures non-venomous snakes of Florida(including Yellow Rat) and saw photo that looks more like my guy( with stripes and description of habits, etc.), Yellow Rat a possibility, along with Common or Eastern Garter(which I didn’t know could have the coloring/size of my snake), at any rate, all indications are as you recommend harmless/beneficial, so am glad to know and will simply enjoy having the (fairly attractive) addition to my pond ecosystem(he/she will keep out unwanted rodents) that is as long as the Raccoons or Ospreys don’t get to it. Many thanks for your information, and best of luck in your continuing adventures!