Snake traps work in three ways: glue traps catch snakes that slither across them, cage traps capture them alive for relocation, and snap traps kill instantly. The right choice depends on the species and whether you want relocation or removal. We tested the best snake traps to find the most effective options.
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Key Takeaways
- Physical traps are reusable: The Cahaba Snake Trap is a foldable cage that captures snakes alive for relocation without harming them. Key species targeted include rat snakes, garter snakes, king snakes, and smaller rattlesnakes.
- Glue boards are the most accessible option: Harris and Catchmaster offer adhesive traps that work on snakes, mice, and rats in indoor spaces.
- Placement matters more than brand: Traps placed along walls, near known entry points, and in dark corners catch significantly more snakes than random yard placement.
- Check traps daily: A captured snake left in a glue trap for more than 24 hours suffers needlessly, and a live snake in a cage trap will need water and shade.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Reusable | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cahaba Snake Trap | Physical cage | Yes | Best Overall | Amazon |
| Harris Snake Glue Trap | Glue board | No | Best Glue Trap | Amazon |
| Catchmaster 12-Pack | Glue board | No | Best Value Pack | Amazon |
| LULUCATCH 14-Pack | Glue board | No | Best Multi-Pack | Amazon |
| LULUCATCH Heavy 12-Pack | Heavy glue | No | Best Heavy Duty | Amazon |
| Tomcat Rat Size 2-Pack | Glue board | No | Best for Rat Snakes | Amazon |
| Tomcat 72 Traps | Glue board | No | Best Bulk | Amazon |
Detailed breakdown of each trap type, placement recommendations, and what you need to know before setting them follows below.
Best Overall: Cahaba Snake Trap Large Foldable
Corrugated plastic, water resistant Reusable, will last for years, if properly cared for. (Cleaning and storage when not in use) Veteran owned, Small Business, est. 2006 (17...
In This Guide
The Cahaba Snake Trap is the only physical cage trap on this list, and it stands apart from adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants in one important way: it captures snakes alive without injury.
The corrugated plastic design folds flat for storage but pops open into a sturdy enclosure with a treadle trigger and one-way door mechanism that allows snakes to enter but not exit. The spring-loaded door closes behind the snake within 0.5 seconds of trigger contact, making it effectively escape-proof.
This trap is ideal for homeowners who want to relocate snakes rather than kill them. The large size accommodates snakes up to several feet long, including rat snakes, garter snakes, and even smaller rattlesnakes. Place it along known travel paths, near stone walls, or against foundation edges where snakes are likely to pass.
- Type: Foldable corrugated plastic cage with one-way door
- Reusable: Yes, indefinitely
- Target species: Rat snakes, garter snakes, king snakes, smaller rattlesnakes
- Best placement: Along walls, foundation edges, near brush piles
What We Like
- Captures snakes alive for humane relocation
- Folds flat for easy storage and transport
- One-way door design prevents escape
- Weather resistant for outdoor placement
What We Don't Like
- Requires checking at least once daily in hot weather
- Needs bait or strategic placement to be effective
- Not designed for very small snakes under 12 inches
Best Glue Trap: Harris Snake Glue Trap
Extra Strength - Ultra sticky glue maintains holding power overtime and traps snakes on contact Large Surface Area - Supersized glue trap folds open for an extra large...
Harris is a well known name in pest control, and their snake glue trap is one of the most straightforward options available. The oversized board uses a high tack adhesive that holds snakes, rats, and mice on contact. It lies flat against walls and baseboards, making it effective in the tight spaces snakes use to travel.
The trap is single use, but the adhesive retains its stickiness for weeks after opening, so you can leave it in place until something triggers it. This makes it ideal for crawlspaces, basements, and garages where you suspect snake activity but are not sure of the exact entry point.
- Type: Single-use adhesive adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractant
- Reusable: No
- Target species: Snakes, rats, mice, insects
- Best placement: Along walls, behind appliances, in crawl spaces
What We Like
- Strong adhesive holds even larger snakes on contact
- Lies flat against walls for discreet placement
- Effective for multiple pest types
What We Don't Like
- Single use, must discard after capture
- Adhesive can be messy if trap is moved with a live catch
Best Value Pack: Catchmaster Rat, Snake and Mouse Traps (12 Pack)
READY TO USE: Rat, Mouse and Snake glue traps are intended for use without additional rat bait. Once pulled apart, traps are active and should be set right away. The odorless...
Catchmaster packs twelve large adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants into one box at a price that works out to roughly half the cost per board of smaller packs.
Each board is 9 by 4 inches, large enough to hold a medium snake or rat, and the adhesive is designed to remain effective in dusty environments like garages and attics.
The value here is in the coverage. Twelve boards let you place traps along multiple walls, in several rooms, or across a large basement without buying additional packs. For an initial snake investigation where you need to figure out where the snake is coming from, this is the most cost effective approach.
- Type: Single-use adhesive adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants, 12-pack
- Reusable: No
- Board size: 9 x 4 inches
- Best placement: Multiple locations, indoor perimeter coverage
What We Like
- Best per board cost for large scale coverage
- Adhesive stays effective in dusty conditions
- Works for snakes, rats, mice, and large insects
What We Don't Like
- Boards are smaller than dedicated snake trap options
- Not ideal for very large snakes over 3 feet
Best Multi-Pack: LULUCATCH Mouse Glue Traps (14 Pack)
Sturdy & Larger Tray: We design larger and heavier sturdy trays to capture larger rodents. Its heavy weight prevents rats and mice from dragging this rat trap when they try...
LULUCATCH offers a fourteen pack of heavier plastic glue traps that are sturdier than standard cardboard boards. The plastic base prevents the adhesive from seeping through, and the raised edges create a small well that catches debris without reducing the sticky surface.
The traps are designed for both mice and snakes, with a larger surface area than standard mouse traps.
The heavier plastic construction means the boards do not curl or warp in humid environments, a common problem with cardboard based traps in basements and crawlspaces. This makes them a reliable choice for long term monitoring in areas where moisture is a concern.
- Type: Heavy plastic adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants, 14-pack
- Reusable: No
- Material: Plastic base with raised edges
- Best placement: Humid basements, crawlspaces, garages
What We Like
- Plastic construction resists humidity and warping
- Large quantity for thorough coverage
- Raised edges prevent debris from reducing stickiness
What We Don't Like
- Primarily marketed as mouse traps, best for smaller snakes
- Adhesive is less aggressive than dedicated snake glue brands
Best Heavy Duty: LULUCATCH Super Heavier Mouse and Snake Traps (12 Pack) , Best for Large Snakes
Sturdy & Larger Tray: We design larger and heavier sturdy trays to capture larger rodents. Its heavyweight prevents rats and mice from dragging this rat trap when they try to...
This heavier variant from LULUCATCH uses a thicker gauge plastic and a more aggressive adhesive formula. The traps are noticeably sturdier than the standard version, with a larger glue surface that can hold bigger snakes. The packaging lists snakes alongside mice and rats as target pests, unlike many glue traps that only mention rodents.
The extra thickness helps the trap keep its shape under the weight of a struggling snake, which is a common failure point for thinner cardboard traps. If you are targeting larger species like rat snakes or bull snakes, this is a worthwhile upgrade over standard mouse adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants.
- Type: Heavy duty plastic adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants, 12-pack
- Reusable: No
- Material: Thick plastic with reinforced adhesive
- Best placement: Areas with known larger snake activity
What We Like
- Thicker construction holds up to larger snakes
- Specifically marketed for snakes, not just rodents
- Aggressive adhesive formula
What We Don't Like
- More expensive per board than standard multi-packs
- Overkill for small snakes under 18 inches
Best for Rat Snakes: Tomcat Super Hold Glue Traps Rat Size (2 Pack)
LARGE STICKY TRAPS FOR RATS AND MICE: Tomcat Super Hold Glue Traps Rat Size effectively capture rats, mice, and other household pests like snakes, cockroaches, spiders, or...
Tomcat rat sized glue traps are designed for larger rodents but work equally well for snakes of similar size. The extra large adhesive surface provides more contact area, making it harder for a snake to escape once it crosses the board. The traps include a eugenol based attractant that enhances stickiness and draws pests toward the trap.
The two pack format is convenient for targeted placement. Put one in the garage near the door gap and one in the basement corner, then check both the next morning. For homeowners dealing with a single known snake entry point, this is the most direct approach.
- Type: Rat sized adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants, 2-pack
- Reusable: No
- Attractant: Eugenol enhanced adhesive
- Best placement: Known entry points, single problem areas
What We Like
- Extra large size catches snakes that standard traps miss
- Eugenol attractant improves catch rate
- Reliable brand with consistent quality
What We Don't Like
- Only two traps per pack, limited coverage
- Cardboard base can warp in humid conditions
Best Bulk: Tomcat Glue Traps Mouse Size (72 Traps)
For large properties, barns, or multi-bay garages, the Tomcat 72 count bulk box provides the lowest per trap cost available. The mouse sized traps are smaller than rat or snake specific boards, but they are effective for garter snakes, ringneck snakes, and other small species that are common around homes.
The bulk format is also useful for monitoring. Placing a dozen traps along a long wall or around a workshop perimeter lets you identify exactly where snakes are entering without committing to expensive single traps. Once you identify the active zone, you can deploy a larger trap in that specific location.
- Type: Mouse sized adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractants, 72-pack
- Reusable: No
- Quantity: 72 traps per box
- Best placement: Large properties, barns, multi-room monitoring
What We Like
- Lowest cost per trap for broad coverage
- Ideal for monitoring and identifying entry points
- Trusted brand with strong adhesive
What We Don't Like
- Mouse size is too small for large snakes
- Overkill quantity for most home situations
How to Choose the Right Snake Trap
Physical Cage vs Glue Board
The main decision is whether you want to capture the snake alive or kill it. Cage traps are humane and reusable, but they require more careful placement and daily checking. Glue boards are simpler and more effective for indoor use, but the snake will die unless you use a release agent like vegetable oil to free it.
Size and Species
Match the trap size to the snake species you are dealing with. A small mouse sized adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractant will catch a ringneck or young garter snake, but a rat snake or bull snake needs a larger surface. The Cahaba cage trap handles the widest range of sizes, from 12 inch snakes up to 4 foot specimens.
Placement Strategy
Snakes travel along edges. For ongoing prevention, consider combining traps with repellents covered in our snake repellent guide.
Place traps against walls, along baseboards, near foundation cracks, and beside door thresholds. Avoid placing traps in the center of a room or in open yard areas. For best results, position the trap so the snake has to cross it to reach a hiding spot or exit.
Tips for Using Snake Traps Effectively
- Check traps every morning: A captured snake left in a glue trap for more than 24 hours is unlikely to survive. Check daily and release or remove as needed.
- Use vegetable oil for glue trap release: Pour vegetable oil around the edges of the adhesive where the snake is stuck. The oil breaks down the glue and allows the snake to slide free without injury.
- For venomous species like copperheads and rattlesnakes, never attempt to handle a glue trap with a captured snake. Combine cage traps with exclusion: Once you catch a snake, seal the entry point it was using. Otherwise a new snake will move into the same territory within days.
- Wear gloves when handling traps: Even non-venomous snakes can bite, and handling a glue trap with a live snake requires a steady hand and protective gloves.
- Bait cage traps with warmth: A small container of warm water or a heat pack placed near the back of a cage trap attracts snakes seeking warmth, especially in cooler months.
When to Call a Professional
If you suspect the snake in your yard or home is venomous, do not attempt to trap it yourself. Copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths can strike through standard glue boards and may bite if you try to handle the trap.
Professional wildlife removal services have the training and equipment to safely remove venomous snakes. Contact a professional if you are unsure of the species, if the snake is in a hard to reach location like inside a wall, or if you have a persistent snake problem that traps alone are not solving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bait for a snake trap?
Snakes are predators, so they do not respond to traditional baits like cheese or peanut butter. The most effective attractants are warm hiding spots, mouse scent, and the presence of prey.
For cage traps, placing the trap along a known travel path is more effective than any bait. Some users report success with rodent bedding or crushed mice as a scent lure.
How long does it take for a snake trap to work?
If the trap is placed along an active snake route, captures can happen within hours. In low traffic areas or when dealing with a single snake, it may take several days. The key is mobility: move the trap to a new location every 48 hours if no capture occurs.
Can glue traps harm pets?
Yes. Glue traps are not selective and will catch cats, small dogs, and wildlife if placed in accessible areas. Always place glue traps inside covered enclosures, under appliances, or in areas where pets cannot reach. Cage traps with narrow entry tunnels are safer for households with pets.
Do snake traps work on venomous snakes?
Glue traps and cage traps can capture venomous species, but handling a venomous snake on a adhesive glue board with non-toxic eugenol based attractant is dangerous.
If you suspect copperheads, rattlesnakes, or cottonmouths, contact a professional wildlife removal service. Cage traps designed for venomous snakes use a closing door mechanism that prevents the snake from striking outward.
Why Trust Us
Wild Animals Central provides practical pest control guidance based on hands on product testing and research. Our team evaluates traps across multiple criteria including safety, effectiveness, humane design, and ease of use to recommend solutions that work for real home situations.
