How big was it? How many buttons?

If it's small/young, you might unleash the backyard mini-raptors.

If it's more mature, a hoe is one method. If you know what you're doing, a firearm is useful. Obviously it needs to be out in the open while you deal with it.

Around here, snakes tend to be attracted to tall grass, and also like cool crawlspaces when it's hot. So keep your grass short and block up your crawlspaces as best you can to discourage critters. Can you cover it with screens or mesh?

The feed stores around here sell rattlesnake repellent, to keep them away from barns and stables. See what has a good review and put it around your access points to discourage them from lingering.

Are you sure it's a rattlesnake? Hognose snakes are often confused with rattlesnakes except they don't have the button on their tail.

a 22 pistol with a birdshot round is effective at a few feet and you don't get the ricochet.

I can't say I have ever seen one in Pa. I saw one in SoCal 30 years ago and a shovel is what it took.

The small ones are more dangerous as an adult will inject a small amount of poison. A small one will give you a full shot.

When I threw out the snake, I put it in a box and labeled it, don't step on or crush. I didn't one anyone hurting themselves.

Your snake is likely a timber rattlesnake - Ran into some on the Appalachian trail. Pretty good size - 5' 4"-5" diameter. Snake tongs and a canvas bag. Then deposit in unit where you are trying to evict.