It happens every summer without fail. A Nashville homeowner steps out onto their back porch, looks down, and freezes. There’s a snake coiled near the foundation, sliding through the garden bed, or — worst case — somewhere inside the garage. Snake season in Middle Tennessee runs hard from late May through August, and June is when calls to Birdman start picking up fast. Here’s what every Nashville homeowner needs to know about snakes this summer.
Why Snakes Are More Active in June
Snakes are cold-blooded, which means their activity levels are directly tied to temperature. As Nashville warms up through June, snakes become significantly more active — hunting, exploring new territory, and in some cases nesting. Summer also brings peak activity for the rodents and frogs snakes feed on, which means they’re on the move more than any other time of year.
Several species are common in the Nashville area during summer months, including:
- Black rat snakes — Non-venomous, but large and alarming. Often found in attics, garages, and around barns.
- Copperheads — Venomous. The most common venomous snake in Middle Tennessee. Found in wooded areas, rock piles, mulch beds, and near water.
- Eastern garter snakes — Non-venomous, very common in gardens and lawns.
- Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) — Venomous. Found near creeks, ponds, and standing water.
Unless you’re a trained professional, it’s extremely difficult to confidently identify a snake species in the moment — especially when you’re startled. When in doubt, keep your distance and call Birdman.
Where Snakes Hide Around Your Home
Snakes don’t wander randomly. They’re looking for specific things: food, shelter, and warmth. Common spots to find snakes on residential Nashville properties include:
- Rock walls and retaining walls — Crevices and gaps are ideal hiding spots and thermal regulators.
- Mulch beds and wood piles — Dark, moist, and full of insects and rodents that snakes prey on.
- Under decks and porches — Cool shade during the day, easy access to the yard at night.
- Near air conditioning units — The condensation attracts frogs and rodents, which attract snakes.
- Garage interiors — Easy entry through gaps under doors, gaps in weatherstripping, or foundation cracks.
- Crawlspaces and basements — If rodents are present, snakes will follow.
If you’ve had a mouse or rat problem at any point, snakes are a very real possibility. They go where the food is.
What to Do If You Find a Snake
Stay calm and keep your distance. Most snake bites happen because someone tried to handle or kill the snake themselves. Even non-venomous snakes will bite when cornered or threatened.
Do not try to identify it yourself. Even experienced outdoors people misidentify snakes regularly. A copperhead and a young black rat snake can look surprisingly similar at a glance, especially in poor lighting.
Keep children and pets away. Secure the area and make sure nobody approaches the snake until a professional arrives.
Note the location and, if safe, take a photo from a distance. This helps our technicians prepare before arrival.
Call Birdman. We respond quickly and handle snake removal safely, humanely, and completely.
How Birdman Handles Snake Removal
Our technicians are trained to safely identify, capture, and relocate snakes of all species found in Middle Tennessee — including venomous ones. We use professional snake hooks, secure transport containers, and established handling techniques that protect both the homeowner and the animal.
Beyond removal, we also assess your property for conditions that attract snakes and provide specific recommendations to reduce the likelihood of future encounters. If snakes are repeatedly showing up, there’s usually an underlying reason — rodents, moisture, shelter opportunities — that we can help you address.
Prevention Tips for the Rest of Summer
- Seal gaps around your garage door, foundation, and utility penetrations. Snakes can enter through surprisingly small openings.
- Keep firewood and debris piles away from the house. These are prime hiding spots.
- Mow regularly and trim vegetation close to the foundation. Tall grass and overgrown shrubs provide excellent cover.
- Address any rodent activity immediately. Where there are mice, snakes will follow.
- Keep bird feeders away from the house. Seed attracts rodents, which attract snakes.
Nashville’s Snake Season Doesn’t Wait
If you’ve already seen a snake on your property this summer, or you’re in an area of Nashville where encounters are common, don’t wait for a close call. Birdman provides fast, professional snake removal and inspection services across Nashville and all of Middle Tennessee.