Prickly Pear Wildlife

If you’re searching for snake removal in Austin, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered an unwelcome guest in your home or yard. Whether it’s a snake in the garage, under the deck, or inside your house, it’s not just a one-time inconvenience. More often than not, a snake sighting points to a bigger issue: your home is vulnerable to wildlife.

At Prickly Pear Wildlife, we don’t just remove snakes. We solve the root cause of the problem through comprehensive strategies like whole home exclusion. If you want a long-term solution that keeps snakes out and protects your property, this blog post explains why exclusion is the smartest move you can make.

Prickly Pear employee holding a 4.5 foot long rattlesnake in front of the Prickly Pear van after snake removal service

Why Snakes Are Getting Into Austin Homes

Austin’s booming growth has led to habitat loss for native wildlife. As green spaces shrink, snakes are increasingly seeking shelter, food, and warmth near residential areas. Common species found in Austin include:

  • Texas Rat Snakes (non-venomous)
  • Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (venomous)
  • Coachwhips (non-venomous)
  • Copperheads (venomous)
  • Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes (non-venomous)

Most of these snakes are not aggressive, but their presence inside a home is never welcome. It’s important to understand that snakes are usually there because something else attracted them. In most cases, they are following a food source, typically rodents. That means if you’ve seen a snake, you may already have a hidden infestation of mice or rats.

What Is Whole Home Exclusion?

Whole home exclusion is a professional process that involves inspecting your entire property and sealing any gaps, cracks, or structural weaknesses that allow wildlife to enter. This method is used to prevent snakes, rodents, squirrels, bats, and other animals from making your home their own.

At Prickly Pear Wildlife, our exclusion service includes:

  1. A full inspection of your home’s roofline, foundation, attic, and crawlspaces
  2. Identification of wildlife activity or conditions that attract animals
  3. Sealing of all access points as small as one-quarter inch
  4. Use of wildlife-grade materials that are long-lasting and discreet
  5. Ongoing support and monitoring to keep your home protected

Rather than treating the symptoms, exclusion provides a long-term solution by eliminating the opportunity for wildlife to get inside.

Snake Removal Alone Is Not Enough

Calling a professional Austin snake removal service is an important first step. You should never try to remove a snake on your own, especially if you are not sure whether the species is venomous. But once the snake is gone, the question becomes: what now?

The answer is exclusion. Removing one snake does not mean others will not come. As long as your home offers shelter, warmth, and access to food like rodents, snakes will continue to return.

We often explain it like this:

“Snake removal addresses the current problem. Whole home exclusion prevents the next one.”

Without exclusion, homeowners may deal with recurring snake sightings and spend far more on emergency calls, damage repairs, or ineffective repellents.

The Link Between Snakes and Rodents

Snakes rarely invade homes at random. They go where the food is. If you are dealing with a snake, there is a high likelihood that rodents are already living in your attic, walls, or crawlspace.

In Austin, roof rats are a common culprit. These rodents are excellent climbers and can enter homes through gaps around eaves, soffits, or plumbing penetrations. Once inside, they leave urine and droppings, chew wires and insulation, and create a food trail that attracts snakes.

That is why Prickly Pear Wildlife’s exclusion services are designed to address both rodent control and snake prevention. You can’t fix one problem without fixing the other.

What to Expect from Our Austin Snake Removal and Exclusion Service

When you call Prickly Pear Wildlife, you can expect a professional, step-by-step process designed to keep your home safe.

Step 1: Immediate Snake Removal

Our team responds quickly to safely capture and remove the snake using humane tools and methods. We follow all safety protocols for venomous and non-venomous species.

Step 2: Home Inspection

We inspect your attic, crawlspace, roof, and exterior for evidence of wildlife activity, including droppings, nesting material, and access points.

Step 3: Whole Home Exclusion

Our technicians seal every opening we find using wildlife-proof materials that blend into your home’s exterior. We also repair any existing damage caused by rodents or wildlife.

Step 4: Rodent Control Options

If we find active rodent signs, we provide safe, eco-friendly rodent control services that eliminate the food source attracting snakes in the first place.

Step 5: Long-Term Warranty

All of our exclusion work is backed by a comprehensive warranty, giving you peace of mind that your home will stay protected.

The Benefits of Whole Home Exclusion for Snake Issues

Homeowners who invest in exclusion enjoy:

  • Lasting protection from all wildlife, including snakes, rodents, bats, and squirrels
  • Fewer repairs from wildlife-related damage
  • A healthier home environment with better air quality
  • Lower costs over time compared to repeated animal removals
  • A more secure home that is ready for every season

Exclusion is especially valuable in Austin, where mild winters and rapid development make homes more susceptible to wildlife pressure year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions About Snake Removal and Exclusion

How do I know if I have a snake in my house?

You may notice shed snake skins, droppings, or tracks. If you hear unusual noises or find a snake in your garage, attic, or bathroom, it’s time to call a professional.

Can snakes really get into attics?

Yes. Most snakes cannot climb smooth surfaces, but they often enter attics by following rodents through open vents, gaps in the roofline, or wall voids.

Is exclusion really necessary?

If you want to prevent future encounters with snakes and other wildlife, exclusion is the best investment you can make. It seals off the points that animals use to get inside.

What makes Prickly Pear different from a general pest control company?

We are wildlife exclusion specialists, not just exterminators. We focus on humane, long-term solutions without poisons, and we back our work with a warranty.

How long does whole home exclusion take?

Most exclusion jobs can be completed in one to two days depending on the size of your home and the severity of the problem.

What do you do with the snakes when you catch them?

Our snake expert assesses each snake to determine if it is healthy enough for relocation. If not, we rehabilitate them until they are ready for release in the perfect habitat for that species. 

Get Trusted Austin Snake Removal and Exclusion Today

If you’ve spotted a snake or want to prevent one from showing up, don’t wait. Prickly Pear Wildlife offers fast, professional snake removal in Austin and exclusion services that protect your home from the ground up.

We serve Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and the surrounding Central Texas communities. Let us help you create a safer, wildlife-free home environment.

Call today or request your inspection online.