If someone is bitten by a poisonous snake, call a doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately. Eliminating rats and mice from an area will often discourage snakes. Remove snakes' hiding places. Get rid of lumber piles, trash piles, high weeds, grasses and debris. Block openings where snakes might enter buildings.
Snakes can pass through extremely small openings and usually enter near or below ground level.
Be sure doors, windows and screens fit tightly. Search walls and floors for holes or crevices. Plug spaces around pipes that go through outside walls. Fasten galvanized screen over drains or ventilators, or over large areas of loose construction. Dr. David Bromwell, Chief Veterinarian of Animal Welfare for the state of Illinois Issued by Holly Hunts, University of Illinois Extension Consumer Economics Specialist.