Identifying snake holes in your yard can be tricky, because snakes often use existing holes made by other animals.
Here's how to figure out whether a hole you see somewhere in your yard or garden is a snake hole.
Look at Hole Size
Check the Edges
Look for Shedded Skins
Inspect for Tracks
Observe the Surrounding Area
🛑 Safety Tip:
Snake Holes vs. Rodent & Insect Holes
Snake Holes
shape and edges are typically round and smooth with no loose soil or dirt piles around the entrance. Snakes slide in and out, leaving the opening clean. Usually 1–3 inches wide (varies by snake type). Often near rock piles, woodpiles, sunny areas, garden beds, or along foundations.
Signs: Sometimes shed skins nearby. May see slither or drag marks around the hole.
Rodent Holes (e.g., mice, voles, ground squirrels)
Shape and edges are often round, but may have rougher edges with loose dirt or small mounds (evidence of burrowing). Usually 1–2 inches for mice/voles and 2–4 inches for ground squirrels.
Common in lawns, near bushes, or along fence lines. Often leads to complex tunnel systems with multiple holes.
Signs: Gnawed plant stems or chewed roots nearby. Small footprints or tail marks.
Insect Holes (e.g., cicadas, beetles, ground bees)
Shape and edges usually perfectly round, but often very small (less than 1/2 inch). May have a small mound of fine dirt around the hole. Typically smaller than 1/2 inch in size. Found in bare soil, garden beds, or near tree bases.
Signs: Look for tiny piles of dirt or insect activity nearby.
Look at Hole Size
- Snake holes are typically round and range from about 1–3 inches in diameter, depending on the snake.
- Smaller holes (around 1 inch) might belong to garter snakes or small rat snakes.
- Larger holes (2–3 inches) might indicate a bigger snake or that a snake is using a burrow created by another animal.
Check the Edges
- Snake holes usually have smooth edges because snakes slide in and out without disturbing the soil much.
- Holes with rough edges, small mounds, or scattered dirt are more likely from rodents or insects.
Look for Shedded Skins
- Sometimes you’ll find snake skins nearby, indicating snake activity.
Inspect for Tracks
- Snakes don’t leave tracks like footprints, but you might see drag marks leading in or out of the hole.
Observe the Surrounding Area
- Snake holes are often near rock piles, wood piles, gardens, or foundations —places where snakes can hide and find prey.
🛑 Safety Tip:
- Never stick your hand in a hole!
- If you suspect a snake is living there, carefully observe from a distance.
- Contact a local pest control or wildlife expert if you're concerned about venomous species.
Snake Holes vs. Rodent & Insect Holes
Snake Holes
shape and edges are typically round and smooth with no loose soil or dirt piles around the entrance. Snakes slide in and out, leaving the opening clean. Usually 1–3 inches wide (varies by snake type). Often near rock piles, woodpiles, sunny areas, garden beds, or along foundations.
Signs: Sometimes shed skins nearby. May see slither or drag marks around the hole.
Rodent Holes (e.g., mice, voles, ground squirrels)
Shape and edges are often round, but may have rougher edges with loose dirt or small mounds (evidence of burrowing). Usually 1–2 inches for mice/voles and 2–4 inches for ground squirrels.
Common in lawns, near bushes, or along fence lines. Often leads to complex tunnel systems with multiple holes.
Signs: Gnawed plant stems or chewed roots nearby. Small footprints or tail marks.
Insect Holes (e.g., cicadas, beetles, ground bees)
Shape and edges usually perfectly round, but often very small (less than 1/2 inch). May have a small mound of fine dirt around the hole. Typically smaller than 1/2 inch in size. Found in bare soil, garden beds, or near tree bases.
Signs: Look for tiny piles of dirt or insect activity nearby.
