Venomous Snake Removal
Don't approach it. Call us.
Tennessee has six venomous snake species — and the Nashville area has three of them in regular circulation. If you've found a venomous snake on your property, inside your home, or anywhere near your family or pets, we respond immediately. Licensed, insured, available 24/7.
(615) 613-5992Venomous snake removal is not a DIY job.
The vast majority of snakebites in Tennessee happen when someone tries to handle, kill, or relocate a snake themselves. Even a snake that appears dead can deliver a bite — the strike reflex persists for hours after death. The only safe approach to a venomous snake on your property is to keep people and pets away from it and call a professional.
We handle venomous snake removals across the Nashville area every week. Our technicians are trained in safe capture and handling techniques, carry the appropriate equipment, and know the behavioral patterns of every venomous species in Middle Tennessee. We'll remove the snake safely, assess your property for conditions that attracted it, and advise on prevention.
Venomous snakes in the Nashville area.
Three venomous species account for the overwhelming majority of calls we receive in Middle Tennessee.
Copperhead
Most CommonAgkistrodon contortrix
Identification
Tan or pinkish-brown base color with distinctive hourglass-shaped crossbands that are wider on the sides and narrow at the center of the back. Triangular head, heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril.
Behavior
Cryptic and slow to move — relies on camouflage rather than fleeing. Most bites occur when someone steps on or near one without seeing it. Active spring through fall; shelters under debris, wood piles, and in crawlspaces during cooler months.
Habitat
Wooded areas, rocky outcrops, mulch beds, brush piles, near water
Where found locally
The most common venomous snake in Davidson, Williamson, and surrounding counties. Found in virtually every wooded neighborhood, near creek corridors, and in suburban areas with mature tree cover.
Cottonmouth
Water AreasAgkistrodon piscivorus
Identification
Heavy-bodied, dark-colored (olive, brown, or nearly black) with a distinctive white mouth interior visible when threatened. Broad, flat head. Juveniles have banded pattern similar to copperheads.
Behavior
Highly aquatic. Stands its ground when threatened rather than retreating — will gape to display the white mouth interior as a warning. Can be aggressive when cornered. Active year-round in warm weather.
Habitat
Lakes, rivers, ponds, drainage ditches, wetlands, creek banks
Where found locally
Common near Percy Priest Lake, Old Hickory Lake, the Cumberland River, and area creek systems. Frequently encountered in Hermitage, Old Hickory, Gallatin, Antioch, and Bellevue near water features.
Timber Rattlesnake
Rural/WoodedCrotalus horridus
Identification
Large, heavy-bodied rattlesnake with a distinctive segmented rattle. Yellow, brown, or gray base color with dark chevron-shaped crossbands. Black tail. Broad, triangular head.
Behavior
Generally slow-moving and reluctant to strike unless directly threatened. Will rattle as a warning before striking. Tends to remain motionless when approached, relying on camouflage.
Habitat
Forested hillsides, rocky outcrops, ridge lines, mature hardwood forest
Where found locally
Present in forested areas of Williamson County, the Highland Rim, and rural areas surrounding the Nashville metro. Less common in urban neighborhoods but encountered in wooded estate properties in Brentwood and Belle Meade.
What to do if you find a venomous snake.
Keep your distance
Stay at least 6 feet away. Do not attempt to handle, kill, or move the snake. Most bites happen during attempted handling — even from snakes that appear dead or injured.
Keep people and pets inside
If the snake is outdoors, bring children and pets inside and keep them there until we arrive. If it's inside the home, leave the room, close the door, and seal the gap under the door with a towel.
Note the location
If it's safe to do so from a distance, note where the snake is — under a specific bush, near a particular entry point, in a corner of the garage. This helps us locate it quickly when we arrive.
Call us immediately
Our hotline is answered 24/7. We'll give you immediate guidance over the phone and dispatch a technician. Don't wait to see if it leaves on its own — venomous snakes on the property need to be removed.
Our venomous snake removal process.
Immediate response
Venomous snake calls are treated as priority dispatches. We'll give you guidance over the phone while a technician is en route.
Safe capture
Our technicians use professional-grade capture equipment — snake hooks, tongs, and secure transport containers — to safely capture and contain the snake without harm to the animal or risk to anyone on the property.
Property assessment
We assess the conditions that attracted the snake — prey availability, harborage sites, entry points — and identify what's drawing venomous snakes to your property.
Prevention recommendations
We provide specific, actionable recommendations for reducing the conditions that attract venomous snakes: harborage removal, entry point sealing, habitat modification, and ongoing monitoring.
Identify the snake on your property
Nashville has three venomous species. Each has distinct identification markers, habitats, and behavior. Know what you're dealing with before you call — or use our 24-hour hotline.
Common questions about venomous snake removal.
Is it legal to kill a venomous snake in Tennessee?
Tennessee law does not prohibit killing a venomous snake that poses an immediate threat to people or pets. However, attempting to kill a snake significantly increases your risk of being bitten — most bites happen during exactly this scenario. Calling a professional is both safer and more effective.
Will a venomous snake come back after removal?
The removed individual won't return, but if the conditions that attracted it — prey, harborage, entry points — remain unchanged, other snakes may find the same location. Our property assessment and prevention recommendations address this directly.
How do I know if a snake is venomous?
The safest answer is: if you're not certain, treat it as venomous and call us. Common field identification tips — head shape, pupil shape, tail rattle — are useful but not foolproof, and several non-venomous species mimic venomous ones. Our 24-hour identification hotline can help you identify a snake over the phone or from a photo.
What if I was bitten?
Call 911 immediately. Do not cut the wound, apply a tourniquet, attempt to suck out venom, or apply ice. Keep the affected limb below heart level, stay calm, and get to an emergency room as quickly as possible. Note the snake's appearance if you can do so safely — it helps medical staff determine the appropriate treatment.
Venomous snake removal near you
We serve Nashville and all surrounding communities across Middle Tennessee.
Venomous snake on your property? Call now.
24/7 response across Nashville and the surrounding area. Don't wait.