Florida’s diverse ecosystem makes them home to many different species of snakes. Snakes are abundant year-round throughout Florida. The weather is warm, there is plenty of food, and lots of vegetation. Snakes are most active, however, from April to October. There are 6 species of venomous snakes found in the state: the eastern coral snake, the southern copperhead, the cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake, and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake. While most species you encounter are harmless, it’s still important to be safe when spending time outdoors. Here are some summer snake safety tips you can utilize.
- If you encounter a snake, remain calm and give it plenty of room. Most snakes will leave you alone if they are not threatened or bothered.
- If you prefer a snake to reside elsewhere in your yard, you can gently spray it with a garden hose to encourage it to move on. Ensure that your yard is less appealing to snakes by keeping it clean, mowing the lawn regularly, closing gaps and holes, and sealing openings around doors, windows, and water pipes.
- Step on rocks and branches, not over. Snakes hide behind these to attack prey.
- Don’t put your hands where you can’t see. Even reaching under the house for something blindly can cause you to disturb a hiding snake. While venomous snakes generally do not strike when approached or even stepped on, they almost always do if you grab them and/or pick them up whether intentionally or accidentally.
- Make slow movements. Quick ones can be mistaken for attacks.
- Always wear closed shoes and long pants when walking through woods or places where you won’t have clear views of where you step.
- Use a flashlight so you can see the ground at night in areas where venomous snakes might be present.
Most snakes are harmless and, in fact, can be beneficial to have around. They eat other pests that can take over your home and yard like rodents. Unfortunately, unless you’re familiar with the different species, it can be difficult to identify whether a snake is harmless or not, making these snake safety tips important to remember. If you have a problem with snakes or other wildlife around your home, contact your local pest control company for an evaluation.
