For next time, remember: snakes do not have nests. They might reside in a comfortable spot for a while if there is a food source and shelter but they do not nest. If you see one around your house or yard, spray it with a water hose from a safe distance. The snake will not like that and it will leave. Do this once and 99.9% of the time, you will never see that snake again. Then start to think of why the snake was there and what about that place may attract others to that spot. Is sunlight hitting it so that it is warm? Is it dark and moist? Do you have nearby rodents/ birds that could be food? Take care of these. A well trimmed lawn is a good barrier to snakes. For clutter such as firewood that makes good refugia for snakes, pour a cup of bleach or place some mothballs around every know and then- nothing will like that smell and nothing will stick around. I have yet to hear of a good excuse for killing a snake (discounting ignorance).
