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Old 03-28-2015, 09:53 AM
 
6 posts, read 36,135 times
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My husband and I have been searching for over a year for the best place for us in Florida. I researched Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach and we took a quick trip and just returned from there. I loved everything about it, the charm, history, size, friendliness, pace of life on the island. I would be ready to move there tomorrow and call it our forever home but for one concern, snakes. We live in Kentucky where it's hot, humid summers with lots of mosquitos, spiders, we had a skunk get in our crawl space, all of that I can handle fine but I have an unnatural fear of snakes and I've read that snakes will possibly get in your house in Fernandina, and that if you live near any body of water possible poisonous water snakes. Can someone advise about this and tell me parts of the island where I'd be least likely to have snakes on my property. I have found little garter snakes here in my yard, and one morning was surprised by one in our poor filter, they make me scream but I can handle it cause they're harmless, a poisonous snake is a different matter and I also have two little dachshunds I would worry about turning loose in a yard if there was a possibility of poisonous snakes. Would really appreciate any insight.
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Old 03-28-2015, 01:04 PM
 
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The snakes are everywhere in Fernandina. If you live there chances are you will encounter several poisonous snakes and will probably be bitten as yards are covered in them. I've found them in my bed, my car, my dog house, shoes (never leave shoes laying around!), my diaper bag......there was even one in my toilet. Really awful, I think they should rename the city Snakes Beach. Most people don't walk around at night as the chances of being bit are too great. My wife woke up with one entangled in her hair. It wasn't poisonous but it did bite her head 18 times as we were trying to untangle it.
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Old 03-28-2015, 01:49 PM
 
6 posts, read 36,135 times
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If that's the truth, if it's that big a problem, no way could I handle living there. Maybe some people wouldn't be bothered but I can't imagine. I should have known that a place that seemed so perfect for us would have a big drawback.
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Old 03-28-2015, 02:17 PM
 
1,171 posts, read 2,160,055 times
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Unless you live in Hawaii or Alaska, there are going to be snakes (along with just about every other type of wildlife) around.

They are more scared of you, than you are of them. Keep your yard in good shape, and just be cautious before you reach your arm into some thick brush or that big wood pile, and you'll be fine.

My wife is phobic as well, I think we've seen maybe a half-dozen in 5 years of living here. The little tiny rattlesnakes are the ones to look out for as they dont really flee as readily as other types. Unless you are actively hunting them or poking them with sticks, you'll be fine.

I wouldn't leave your front or back doors open for hours at a time, and definitely dont leave your garage open overnight.
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Old 03-28-2015, 02:30 PM
 
Location: Amelia Island/Rhode Island
5,130 posts, read 6,127,528 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Florida2014 View Post
The snakes are everywhere in Fernandina. If you live there chances are you will encounter several poisonous snakes and will probably be bitten as yards are covered in them. I've found them in my bed, my car, my dog house, shoes (never leave shoes laying around!), my diaper bag......there was even one in my toilet. Really awful, I think they should rename the city Snakes Beach. Most people don't walk around at night as the chances of being bit are too great. My wife woke up with one entangled in her hair. It wasn't poisonous but it did bite her head 18 times as we were trying to untangle it.
Really?

You know some people might just believe you
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Old 03-28-2015, 02:48 PM
 
5,295 posts, read 5,234,397 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Florida2014 View Post
The snakes are everywhere in Fernandina. If you live there chances are you will encounter several poisonous snakes and will probably be bitten as yards are covered in them. I've found them in my bed, my car, my dog house, shoes (never leave shoes laying around!), my diaper bag......there was even one in my toilet. Really awful, I think they should rename the city Snakes Beach. Most people don't walk around at night as the chances of being bit are too great. My wife woke up with one entangled in her hair. It wasn't poisonous but it did bite her head 18 times as we were trying to untangle it.
Hilarious. Ive been in Florida 16 years now, out in the country, with lots and lots of wildlife. I can count on 2 hands the number of snakes Ive seen in that time, and not a single one was VENOMOUS (not poisonous).
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Old 03-28-2015, 02:50 PM
 
6 posts, read 36,135 times
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Many thanks for the serious answers. Yeah, I pretty much figured that was b.s. from the first post but didn't want to call someone a liar. Like it or not there are properties for sale there and I would think you'd want people who are good citizens, conscientious neighbors, like and respect your island and the pace of life there, people who would try to add to the community by volunteering time to local efforts, etc. I asked a serious question from a lack of knowledge and it really tells me a lot about the person who answered it. Hope most people there aren't like that.
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Old 03-28-2015, 03:49 PM
 
1,675 posts, read 2,787,563 times
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It's a fair question...not everyone is coming from states where snakes are as prevalent. I think many people are afraid of them...you're not alone. I have been here almost a year and seen 3 black racers on different occasions (not harmful). I do know people that have seen Water Moccasins and Rattlesnakes (the small Pygmy and larger ones).

I wouldn't worry about it...you just need to be aware, keep landscaping cut, and not leave doors/garage open. If you do those things, you probably will not see any venomous snakes.
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Old 03-28-2015, 08:21 PM
 
Location: Florida
530 posts, read 1,460,032 times
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Yep plenty of snakes in Florida, most posters have given you some good advice already. Keeping your yard well maintained is the best thing you can do.
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Old 03-29-2015, 05:22 AM
 
Location: Amelia Island/Rhode Island
5,130 posts, read 6,127,528 times
Reputation: 6311
We have an estuary that runs through a lot of the island (north and south) it is called Egans Creek Greenway, if your house happens to border on the greenway you might have the happen stance to see a few snakes.

People walk this greenway everyday and it is very safe.

Good luck and welcome......................you have arrived at a time when rentals are almost non-exsistant and home prices have come back with a vengeance................our sleepy little beach town and surrounding areas are seeing an incredible influx of people moving here.

See link below:

Egan's Creek Greenway (Fernandina Beach, FL) on TripAdvisor: Address, Phone Number, Reviews
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