Rattlesnakes in Pools: Why Your Backyard Oasis Is a Desert Trap
You built the dream. Clean blue water. Some pavers. Maybe a lounge chair and a cold drink in your hand.
Then you spot it—that shape. Half-sunk, half-slinking. Not a pool noodle. Not a leaf. It's a rattlesnake.
Congratulations. Your backyard oasis just became a reptile rest stop.
Let’s talk about why rattlesnakes end up in your pool, what it means, and what the hell you should do about it (hint: it does not involve a net and a brave heart).
Why Rattlesnakes End Up in Pools
Short version? They’re hot, they’re thirsty, and they’re stuck.
Arizona summers are brutal—even for desert creatures. Rattlesnakes don’t sweat. They don’t sip iced tea. So when temperatures climb, they start hunting for shade, moisture, and water.
And what’s the biggest, coolest, most obvious water source in your yard?
Yeah. Your pool.
But they’re not diving in for fun. Most of the time, they:
Slither along the cool concrete
Get a drink from the edge
Accidentally fall in while chasing prey or escaping heat
Once they’re in, they can’t always get out. They’re not Olympic swimmers, and those smooth tile walls? Not exactly ladder-friendly.
Real Talk: It Happens More Than You Think
We get these calls all the time—Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Tempe. Doesn’t matter if your pool’s fancy with a waterfall or just a simple rectangle.
We've pulled rattlesnakes out of:
Skimmer baskets
Baja shelves
Pool vacuum hoses
Hot tubs (yes, seriously)
Underwater steps, just hanging out like they're waiting for happy hour
They’re not trying to ruin your weekend. But they might ruin your whole year if you step in without looking.
No, They’re Not Trying to Drown Themselves
Rattlesnakes can actually swim. They’re not great at it, but they float and paddle with their whole bodies.
If they fall in, they’ll cruise the perimeter looking for an escape. If your pool has gradual steps, they might make it out. But often, they just circle until they’re exhausted or dead.
We’ve pulled out live ones, barely-alive ones, and—yeah—dead ones. (And yes, even dead rattlesnakes can still bite. Reflexes are real. Don’t touch.)
What to Do If You See a Rattlesnake in Your Pool
Back away. Slowly.
Do not get in the water with it. We shouldn’t have to say this, but here we are.Keep pets and kids away.
Don’t let anyone investigate “that weird floating thing.”Do NOT try to scoop it out with your net.
It’s not a leaf. It’s a venomous reptile. You don’t need a poolside bite to the arm because you wanted to play hero.Call Arizona Snake Removal.
We’re fast, we’re trained, and we’ve pulled more rattlesnakes out of backyard pools than most people have ever seen in their lives.
How to Prevent Poolside Snake Surprises
You can’t totally snake-proof Arizona living, but you can lower the odds:
Install real rattlesnake fencing. And do it right—not with zip ties and hope.
Keep the pool area clean. No clutter, no overgrown bushes, no cool shaded corners.
Control rodents. If mice or rats are hanging around your yard, snakes will follow.
Install escape ramps. Wildlife escape ramps can give trapped snakes and lizards a way out.
Use outdoor lighting at night. If you’re heading out for a late swim, light up the pool deck like a landing strip.
Backyard Doesn’t Mean Snake-Free
People think, “Oh, I live in the city, no way a rattlesnake would end up in my pool.”
That’s adorable.
Rattlesnakes don’t care if you have a ZIP code or a cactus-shaped floatie. If your yard has shelter, rodents, or water, it’s on the map.
We’ve removed snakes from pool filters in central Phoenix, rock beds in Ahwatukee, and hot tubs in freaking Arcadia.
Coexist, Just Not in the Deep End
Rattlesnakes aren’t out to terrorize you. They just want to survive the Arizona heat. Your pool looks like a five-star resort when you’re a low-to-the-ground heat-sensitive predator.
So let’s help them survive somewhere else.
Call Arizona Snake Removal.
We’re fast, we’re local, and we know how to remove snakes without turning your Saturday into a hospital visit.
Need a property inspection? Thinking about real snake fencing? Curious if your pool setup’s a snake magnet?
We do all that too. Humane removals, solid prevention, no nonsense.
You keep the floaties. We’ll handle the fangs.