SERVICE REQUEST

Why are snakes in my yard?

Snakes don’t understand the idea of “fences” and “property.” Your yard is just a habitat extension. Snakes can be displaced by construction or habitat alterations like development and land clearing. Snakes also may be in search of food, water or shade. The majority of snakes in yards are after food, water or shade. Simple alterations to the yard can make a yard less snake hospitable. Cutting plants off the ground, removing ground cover, overgrown plants, rock and wood piles all help at eliminating shade and places for snakes to stay temperature stable. 

Furthermore, eliminating food and water is a major help at keeping snakes out. Rodents are a primary food source for rattlesnakes as they age and having rodents in the yard continues to bait snakes into the yard. Mitigating rodents helps A LOT. Properties with rodents commonly get snakes. Simple alterations like clearing leaf litter, cleaning out and sealing storage spaces, removing rodent food like fallen fruit from plants, cleaning the food left from bird feeders and more can help keep snake food out of the yard. Rodenticide is NOT recommended due to the secondary effects on native wildlife. Don’t leave water out for the snakes and water plants according to the time of year, so the excess water dries out. Basically, don't give them a drink. That may be hard if you have a pool, so you may have to look into full prevention snake fencing.

I found a baby snake! Is mom around? Am I living on a den?

Calm down and take a breathe. Are there sometimes multiple snakes on properties? Yes, there can be. Rattlesnakes are not very territorial and they can be found together in some areas and yards. However, in general, most snakes are alone in the average, small, residential yard. Not always, but most often. It is important to note, rattlesnakes give birth in late summer to early fall. Any small snakes seen in spring are typically youngsters from last fall. Young snakes do stay with mom till they do their first shed then often disperse and explore. However, many do stay near the birth site for protection or if born late in the season. Not all rattlesnakes birth with other females. Typically, they birth together for protection, but habitat destruction and alterations can force females to sometimes camp in a yard and give birth, but this is rare. Females like to give birth in old rock and burrow networks away from people where they can be safe and protect their young. They are super caring mothers. Therefor, it is highly unlikely that you are living on a den. Because you found one snake can there be more? Could be but hard to say. A lot of people live their entire summer with a rattlesnake hanging in the neighborhood without knowing. Snakes don't want altercations and are very shy and want to be alone. If you live in a snake area, always have an eye out and stay snake safe.

Are baby rattlesnakes more dangerous?

No. You would not want to be bitten by any rattlesnake, no matter the size. Rattlesnake bites are painful and can cause major damage. Young rattlesnakes have smaller heads and smaller venom sacs. More importantly, snakes can control the amount of venom they inject from the day they are born. Venom is very expensive to the body and taxing to produce. They cant afford to waste it unless the snake feels it is needed to eat or survive a altercation. There is also the ontogenetic aspect to the venom. In summary, the younger snakes have venom that targets smaller prey like reptiles and the venom changes as they age and hunt mammals. Adult snakes can pump more venom, have venom that targets mammals and can control the venom at will. So no, babies are less dangerous than adults. However, don't get bit by a rattlesnake at all.

Do snake fences work?

Yes, if the rattlesnake fences are installed “correctly” snake entry can be prevented. "Correctly" means all 4 sides, FULLY sealed gates, with a guard brace for the gate to lay on, be trenched deep (as deep as you can go, ideally 1 ft), be 3-4 ft off the ground, and don’t have plants growing through or over the fence. Incorrect installations are common (sadly),  as most snake fences are installed by contractors who don’t know snake biology. It is important that people understand snake fences are for RATTLESNAKES, not other species. Rattlesnakes can climb but aren’t as good as species like kings and gophers. Gophers and kings climb often and can often get over snake fences. Furthermore, snake fences are commonly installed and trap snakes inside as contractors don’t check yards before or after fence instillation. In summary, very good at mitigating snake entry if you want to pay a lot of money and get it done correctly. 

My dog was bitten by a rattlesnake in the past. Will he avoid snakes now?

Just because your dog has been bitten in the past does not mean they will not be bitten again. I do the snake avoidance class for dogs and see multiple multiple multiple dogs that have been bitten in the past by snakes, and still will try to approach them. Many dogs do not associate the bite of a rattlesnake to the actual damage and pain . Hence I recommend any dog in snake  habitat go through snake avoidance training if possible, whether it be through me or another company.

Can I buy kingsnakes and put them in my yard to keep snakes away? 

No. Kingsnakes you see for sale are captive bred specimens for the pet trade. Releasing captive specimens is bad as captive snakes are fed on rodents and can be resistant to and carry captive exotic diseases. It’s illegal. Don’t do it.

I found a rattlesnake with two buttons on the rattle. Is it 2 years old? 

The number of rattles does not equal the age on a rattlesnake . Rattlesnakes gain a new button every time they shed their skin. These rattles are made out of keratin, just like your hair and fingernails. They can break on rocks, via male combat or through predation attempts. They gain them as often as they shed and they can shed multiple times a year (depending on how much food they get and the temperature).

Do rattlesnakes chase people?

No, they do not want to bite you. They are docile and just want to be left alone. However, if you try to mess with them or accidentally touch them or step too close to them, they will defend themselves. This includes your dog and cats and children. They will not chase you, but sometimes do move towards the closest cover, which maybe a thing behind you, to hide under.

Do rattlesnakes always have elliptical cat eyes?

It is a myth that venomous snakes have only cat eyes. Pit vipers do have elliptical cat eyes, but depending on the light level, they can be more round. It is not an accurate way to tell if a snake is venomous or not. Other venomous snakes, from around the world, have round eyes.

Does snake repellent work?

No. There is no evidence snake repellents work. In fact, many snakes have been found on snake repellent treated properties. Snakes don’t taste like us humans and most repellents contain chemicals that are designed by plants to repel herbivores. Furthermore, using chemicals like mothballs is illegal due to the damage on the soil and ecosystem. Doesn't work. Save your money.

Why do venomous snakes matter if there are nonvenomous ones?

This question comes up commonly. Snake species all fill different niches and hunt different prey. Even if it is the same prey, snakes have evolved to hunt in different ways. These animals have evolved over thousands of years to fit ecological niches. Snakes provide food for other animals and eliminate diseases that rodents spread. Snake persecution is a common reason snakes are killed. Again, snakes don’t want anything to do with people, but it makes sense most people don’t want a rattlesnake in the yard with dogs and kids. But do you need to take a shovel and beat it to death? No. You wouldn’t do that to a puppy and probably shouldn’t to a snake. They do feel pain and express fear if you understand the behavior. The majority of snakes are slow growing and take 2-5 years to be able to reproduce. Deaths due to human fear can damage populations over time. Plus snakes save us humans from so many diseases, support other species we love, and remove pests that damage our economy and food. 

What do I do if a dog or person are bitten?

SNAKEOUT™ staff are not vets! However, we see a lot of snake bites on dogs and some on people. We actively support the National Snake Bite Support Group's and Snake Bite Foundation's work on snake bites and pet/human relations. We highly recommend checking their websites and Facebook groups for best treatment and methods towards snake bites.

In Northern California, we only have Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus). The other species are relatively harmless and may only cause minor abrasions or superficial wounds. If you are bitten by a snake and do not know the species, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE OR KILL THE SNAKE. Safety is the top priority and the doctors/vets don't needs to know the species of rattlesnake. If you can, take a photo from a safe distance. If not, do not stress. If you cannot confirm the species and are feeling pain or can confirm it is a rattlesnake, CALL 911 and try to keep your heart rate down.

Elevate the wound 45 degrees and try to relax. Take off all items that can constrict due to swelling: jewelry, rings, watches, bands, ect. Wait for 911 and let the doctors treat the bite. It is highly recommended to join the National Snake Bite Support Group's Facebook page to post your bite and receive the appropriate advice on how doctors should treat the bite. Snake bites can result in death, but they are exceptionally rare in the USA when treatment is received. 

If your pet is bitten, again PLEASE DON'T ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE OR KILL THE SNAKE! The animal's safety is priority. For animals, remove the collars ASAP due to the swelling. Take the animal to the vet ASAP. SNAKEOUT™ highly recommends having a 24/7 vet that carries antivenom on dial when living in snake country. Again, it is highly recommended to join the National Snake Bite Support Group's Facebook page to post your animals envenomation and receive advice on treatment. 

It is important to note there is a lot of misinformation on snake bite treatments. SNAKEOUT™ has seen first hand dogs and people with dangerous misinformation. It is highly recommended to visit National Snake Bite Support Group and Snake Bite Foundation websites and educate yourself on snakebite treatment. 

Should I/my dog take Benadryl for snake bites? 

No. Benadryl is not effective treatment for snake bites. Snake Bite Foundation has written about this. Sadly, even many modern vets continue to advise Benadryl for rattlesnake bites. Often the misinformation is due to outdated information and old misinformation being recycled. Venomous snake bites are not the same as bee stings and Benadryl will NOT HELP. If a person/animal is bitten by a rattlesnake, antivenom is the most important thing.

Should I get my dog the rattlesnake vaccine? 

There is little to no evidence that the rattlesnake vaccination does anything for snake bites or buys anytime at all. There has been very little trials and a high amount of concerning side effects reported in dogs involving swelling  lumps and a possible risk of worse snake bite effects. If you do wish to get it, that is fine, but do not ever rely on this to buy you anytime. I work with many of the facilities that do not offer the vaccination and many that do. Most of them say there is very little evidence that it does anything at all currently or are selling with the hope it does something. I highly recommend the Snake Bite Foundation page on the vaccine: https://www.snakebitefoundation.org/blog/2023/6/13/veterinary-experts-do-not-recommend-the-rattlesnake-vaccine

Tiny baby albino Crotalus atrox. Notice only one button on the rattle. At this size, the snake cannot rattle!

Mr Cheeze's fangs

Damaged snake fence. Gap underneath the fence allows for snake entry.

Damaged snake fence. Gap underneath the fence allows for snake entry.

Spicy, one of our rattlesnakes, teaching kids snake safety and to respect wildlife.

Mr Cheeze, one of our rattlesnakes, teaching a young pup to leave rattlesnakes alone. Dogs can commonly run into snakes on hikes and around the home.

Safety Advice: 

Anytime you are doing yard work, long pants and closed toed shoes. Jeans and steel toed boots are best bet.

Do NOT expect gardening gloves to block a snake bite. Rattlesnakes fangs are like needles and can easily go through gloves.

Always check the door before you step out! Snakes know your house is cool to hang out in and will come in if given a chance. We often see them in front of doorways. Keep the door shut and watch the door screen. They will come in if allowed to.

Please ALWAYS DO A YARD CHECK before you let kids and pets wander. Many kids and dogs will learn to leave snakes be through education and snake avoidance. However, kids and dogs can be very out of it and focus on a specific item and not watch where they are grabbing.

Watch elderly people or those with sight issues. We often get calls for snake bites on elderly folks who have sight issues. 

Seal garages please. Weather strips are often weathered or damaged by rodents and need to be replaced often. The worst snake calls are garages. They can find carpenter ports, get into dry wall, hide in boxes or clutter. Don’t let them in.

CLEAN UP YOUR YARD AND PLANTS! Try to eliminate as much shade and ground cover that The snakes can hide in. Snakes have particular temperature ranges. They have to stay in to function and metabolize their food correctly. They do not like feeling over exposed as they fear ariel predators. Try to remove as much debris and ground cover (that a snake can cool off and hide in) as you can. If have a plant you like and want to keep it, try to at least cut it up off the ground and cut everything like ice cream cones, so the sun can cook the ground underneath it.

Monitor your rodents. If you get the food they will come. Control pet rodents humanely. Instant kill traps are best. Avoid poisons because they suck and cause food chain issues. NO STICKY TRAPS PLEASE! Very unethical.

Please clean up after your bird feeders. All that excess seed and fruit that is in your yard from plants or these feed stations, is food to attract rodents, which will attract snakes into the yard.

Please be very careful using snake tongs on snakes. There are multiple snake tongs available online for sale that are used to move venomous snakes safely. However, many of these tongs are not designed for vipers and you still should know how to use the tongs correctly to not damage a snake. When a snake is damaged or stress, they are more likely to strike out and lead to dangerous interactions. If you want help learning how to use the tongs correctly and ethically please reach out to me.

Be very careful positing for snake identifications. Many people ID snake incorrectly, spread misinformation and dangerous/false remedies for venomous snake bites. You can always text me a picture and call me. 

Always have a phone on you while hiking that has GPS in case of emergencies. Snake bites can occur away from areas with cell service. Be prepared if you’re going to areas and hiking in remote areas.

Snake bite kits DO NOT work and are garbage. Do not use them on a rattlesnake bite. If you are bitten call 911 immediately. I highly recommend anyone with Facebook join the National Snakebite Support Group for the event of a bite occurring. They have very strict rules, but are able to assist in proper medical treatment with vets or doctors on snake bites.




If you have any other questions or want us to add anything on here, please give us a call and ask! 9253660607

SERVICE REQUEST