What do I do to make it go away? So far I have seen one. I don't know how many there are. It looks like about 2-3 ft long and half inch wide.

In PA, any snake you are likely to find is harmless. If in doubt, identify it first. But really, if it's not rattling and if it doesn't have a copper head, you're just fine. Grab it by its neck and relocate it. It's likely a garter snake. Water snakes and milk snakes are also not uncommon in your area. All are harmless and will really do a garden good. Snakes can help control the small pests that attack our growing friends. Big deep breath, snatch, and relocate. Nothing too it. Plus, you'll have a nice story to share with the ladies.

Thanks. Don't think I want to touch it. If it is harmless, I will leave it alone. It is brown and has a round head. It does not look like a rattlesnake.

Non venomous snakes "generally" don't have round heads. Brown with round head sounds like it could potentially be a Copperhead. Here is a PDF of the three poisonous snake found in PA.
http://fishandboat.com/factsna...
and another
http://fishandboat.com/anglerb...

I don't think it is a good idea to pick up any snake you are not really familiar with. The description of a "round" head is way too vague to rely on. I would think the snake would leave on its own, the question is what is in the compost pile that attracts the snake. I have run two water moccasins out of my daylilies this month, but I have never found any snakes in any of the many compost piles I have had over the years, knock on wood.

Jay, I am not sure what it is but I don't dare to check it out. I just hope that it will go away now that I disturb its space a bit.

Larry, my husband said that there may be rodents there that attract the snakes. I have not seen any mice running around but I don't check in the compost pile often. I just pile green stuffs on the pile. I too hope the snake will leave on its own too.

Snakes are deaf. Bump, knock on compost to encourage snake to hide out while you are visiting.

I have snakes too what i do is drench the pile with water good they tend to leave while im there

Thank you, Connie. But the snake had since left my pile after inadvertently disturbed its space when I discovered it.