I don't blame you for being freaked out. Snakes terrify me, too. I had one in my garage 2 summers ago that scared the bejeebers out of me. I screamed so loudly that my next door neighbor came out to see if I was ok.
I'm not sure how to get rid of them, but you can prevent them from coming in to your yard by making sure you don't have hiding places for them. They like wood piles and planters as well as swimming pools and ponds. I know some people use the plastic owls in their yards to help scare them off, too.
__________________  Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. |