We are experts in snake control, but are not your typical Fort Collins, Colorado pest removal company. We use only methods that have been proven effective — snake repellents simply don't work, not to mention they hurt the environment. When removing snakes, we use quick and humane methods by catching the snake and relocating it, whether with traps or by hand. We have many years of experience, so we can identify all the snakes of Larimer County, CO. We are not a Fort Collins exterminator company - we specialize in reptiles and mammals. We love snakes the best! We completely solve your snake problem by taking these steps:

• Inspect the entire property, house or yard, for snakes
• Set several humane traps and remove all snakes as they are caught, OR
• Remove snake(s) by hand or using a snake hook or snake tongs
• Once there is no more activity and no more snakes caught, we're done

Common snakes of Fort Collins include garter snakes, rat snakes, racers, and water snakes. There are many other species of snake in Fort Collins, but many of them are rare. Venomous snakes of Fort Collins are also rare. People are aware of the copperheads and timber rattlesnakes in the northeast US, the cottonmouth and eastern diamondback rattlesnake in the southeast, the coral snake throughout the south, and the various rattlesnakes in the southwest, but all of these are not commonly encountered. If in doubt, stay away, and never try to pick up or kill or interact with any snake.

Fort Collins snake tip of the month: Understanding Snake Venom and How It Works - Snake venom is divided into several different categories, cytotoxins, neurotoxins, and hemotoxins, and many snakes use some combination of all three of these venoms. Cytotoxins, such as that found in the bite of the American rattlesnake, destroys cellular tissue, encouraging the failure of internal organs, like the heart. Neurotoxins, like that used by cobras, shut down the nerve signals in the body, causing paralysis and failure of certain body functions, like respiration. Finally, hemotoxins, like that found in some species of vipers, cause the blood in the body to congeal and the blood vessels to break down. This results in massive internal and external bleeding, and ultimately, death. Regardless of which venom, or combination of venom, a snake is using, the substance is oozed into a bite wound through hollow teeth. Some species use a prey animal's inclination to run against them, biting and then allowing the venom to spread faster as the animal's heart races while they attempt to flee.