I'm extremely afraid!!!! (Orlando, Weston, Winter Park: showing, employment, house)

[TrishP7]

Originally Posted by nemoboo1

i tottaly understand snakes seem to freak people out but understand this the likely hood of u seeing a snake is very rare dont let ur fear overcome u when i lived in kissimee which im moving back to i seen a snake maybe 1 and that was a gardner snake dont worry about it enjoy the sun and the pools etc. snakes tend to stay in tall grass areas and near water but not pools. good luck

Thank you..will do!

[ccbay]

I understand. I have a fear but not paralizing. I'll go and and be active but be mindful. I'm moving to Winter Springs this summer from NC but originally NY.
But my fear is mostly for my kids. They love to hike and explore. We looked at a house last week and the real estate agent saw a 3 foot snake in the garden while we were in the house. Oh great. One house was in a woodsy area with a retention pond. The Agent told my kids to never go to the pond alone or with a small animal. because there is probably a gator(didn't take that houe either). Another house had an acre of property there were hundreds of fire ant mounds (didn't take that house). We took a small house with a small yard. I just have to teach the kids not to kick up leaves, rocks, etc
Loved the lizards and geckos and we really like the area. My husband loved the idea of wildlife. I guess I just have to get used to it. I'll educate myself and kids and how to be careful and what to look out for.

[salomea]

Try to relax, its just culture shock! You'll be fine, give it time. I am originally from NJ and was living in South Carolina for over 14 years (similar experience). My mother still lives there and if I recall I think she told me once that if you put moth balls around the perimeter of the outside of your house no snakes or mice will want to be near! You might want to give it a try, its a easy solution to calm your mind!
Other than that, ask God to make your anxiety disappear and give you peace so you can enjoy your beautiful surroundings! I myself am planning to move to FL next year....can't wait
Peace to you....good luck.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

When I first moved to Florida the lizards made me twitch as well but I have gotten used to them. My cats LOVE to chase and catch lizards, the problem comes when they try to bring it in the house to us to show off their catch.

I have seen a snake here only twice since I moved here in 2001. I am terribly phobic about snakes so I understand how you feel.

Florida is also really interesting when it comes to bugs. In places like New Jersey, the winter kills them off, that isn't the case here. I have seen some rather large ones here. Again its something you have to get used to.

I hope you learn to love it here as much as I do.

[MaggieZ]

Trish, I lived in Jacksonville and never saw one...one maintenance guy at my apartment complex saw a black snake, which is harmless, one time he said. You know you should try to find someone who could help you past this phobia. I understand it's stopping you from enjoying life. Just like any fear, it can take over your whole life. I have fear of snakes and have no idea why, I never encountered one in all my life...But it's no laughing matter. Try to find some professional help, seriously.

[AONE]

Trish,
If you see a snake they will likely run from you. garter snakes and black racers are what I see the most. You live in a fairly developed area and are not likely to see rattle snakes or even coral snakes - remember red touches black ...friend of Jack, red touches yellow - kill a fellow. King snakes look like coral snakes but are harmless. I suspect you may not like mice or rats and those snakes will serve you well to eliminate coming face to face with those.
The venomous ones include Copperheads, water moccasins, various rattle snakes and the Coral. I am yet to see any of these. most occur in more wooded areas. This leaves a wide variety of harmless snakes as the likely ones you may see. Snakes are fragile and way more afraid of you if you see one give it room to flee ..it will take the opportunity in most cases. If it is cold out they may not be able to move as they are cold blooded.
I suggest not worring about them, enjoy your life in FL. Spending time educating yourself on who to vote for is worth more than a possible encounter with a snake. Since 2000 I have had 1 ring neck fall in my pool - I released it in the woods, I have seen several black snakes around the house and they couldnt move fast enough (for themselves) to get away. and showing a house I saw a very large brown snake( possibly a Coachwhip) he was so cold he was unable to move. we just walked around him, and a ribbon snake. None moved towards me, none even remotely attempted to bite (which is a normal defense even for harmless ones)

In short, don't fear them, they have a great purpose and do much for you. They are beautiful and deserve to coexist with us. Don't harm them just give them room to escape. You will rarely see one, Lizards are far more plentiful...harmless for the most part but everywhere. Don't spend a minute of worry on snakes. you are safe. look around... we all are alive and have made it so far.

BTW - NJ has many of the same snakes we do and I doubt you worried about them.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/snakes.pdf

Here is a good guide to FL snakes
Home

I'm told the woman that owned Deer Island (in Winter Garden) was also afraid of snakes and her husband bought some peacocks which dispatched them... I have seen a snake on Deer island but am yet to see the peacocks. :-)

Here are some other snake facts... the US have the lowest number of deaths of the continents due to snakes - about 12 / yr
Maine, Alaska and Hawaii are the only states that don't have any of the 20 venomous snakes in the US.
Most bites come from Rattle snakes and happen to those that handle them.
a coral snake caused 2 deaths in Fl in the last 40 years
The deaths by snakes include those that die of heart attacks when they see them... hardly the snakes fault
dead snakes can still deliver poison
Coral snakes are the most deadly in the US and are related to Mambas.
Snakes eat frogs, insects, rodents, and even other snakes
You have a far greater chance of dying from a bee sting or lightening in FL than a snake.

[TedTAce]

Sorry for showing up late.
AONE Makes the best post, and the post about getting over it really wasn't too far off the mark. I saw three snakes during the 4 years I lived in MCO, all were non poisonous. The chances of you getting bit are slim and none unless you like the idea of grabbing the snake. As someone who has on many occasions handled wild snakes I'll tell you from personal experience, that the kind of snake bite you'll get will feel like getting a pair of shots at the same time from an inept nurse. Other then that it's a total non event, ferret bites are a hell of a LOT worse!! Oh and statistically speaking you'll be bitten by a dog at least a few times before a snake in FL. So if you are going to stay home in a panic, blame the local canines, not the reptiles.

[TrishP7]

Originally Posted by salomea

Try to relax, its just culture shock! You'll be fine, give it time. I am originally from NJ and was living in South Carolina for over 14 years (similar experience). My mother still lives there and if I recall I think she told me once that if you put moth balls around the perimeter of the outside of your house no snakes or mice will want to be near! You might want to give it a try, its a easy solution to calm your mind!
Other than that, ask God to make your anxiety disappear and give you peace so you can enjoy your beautiful surroundings! I myself am planning to move to FL next year....can't wait
Peace to you....good luck.

Salomea, thanks for the advice..but girl, the outside of my condo is filled with moth balls!! I decorated the place like they are christmas lights! I also bought "snake away". Ever since then, I'm ok.. I believe you are right about the culture shock!

[TrishP7]

Originally Posted by MaggieZ

Trish, I lived in Jacksonville and never saw one...one maintenance guy at my apartment complex saw a black snake, which is harmless, one time he said. You know you should try to find someone who could help you past this phobia. I understand it's stopping you from enjoying life. Just like any fear, it can take over your whole life. I have fear of snakes and have no idea why, I never encountered one in all my life...But it's no laughing matter. Try to find some professional help, seriously.

Thanks for understanding! The funny thing is, I'm originally from Jamaica and when I was a little girl, I use to play with creepy crawlers. Grasshoppers, I use to throw salt on snails and watch them desinigrate..I even burned a lizard once with a match and aerosol can..my cousins dared me to and I did. I know this sounds horrible..but its not as if I'm not use to this sort of environment. But you know, I lived in Jersey for 27 years..therefore, my surroundings changed..and there was no such thing as Wild Life in my back yard!!

I also have never seen a snake..well yes at the pet store..but I just glance at them and keep it moving. I dont understand this intense fear. I'm not sure about a doctor as of yet. I'm educating myself and praying. And as I mentioned before..i have tons of moth balls all around my house and I also purchased "Snake away"..hope this helps. We'll see. Thanks again!

[TrishP7]

Originally Posted by AONE

Trish,
If you see a snake they will likely run from you. garter snakes and black racers are what I see the most. You live in a fairly developed area and are not likely to see rattle snakes or even coral snakes - remember red touches black ...friend of Jack, red touches yellow - kill a fellow. King snakes look like coral snakes but are harmless. I suspect you may not like mice or rats and those snakes will serve you well to eliminate coming face to face with those.
The venomous ones include Copperheads, water moccasins, various rattle snakes and the Coral. I am yet to see any of these. most occur in more wooded areas. This leaves a wide variety of harmless snakes as the likely ones you may see. Snakes are fragile and way more afraid of you if you see one give it room to flee ..it will take the opportunity in most cases. If it is cold out they may not be able to move as they are cold blooded.
I suggest not worring about them, enjoy your life in FL. Spending time educating yourself on who to vote for is worth more than a possible encounter with a snake. Since 2000 I have had 1 ring neck fall in my pool - I released it in the woods, I have seen several black snakes around the house and they couldnt move fast enough (for themselves) to get away. and showing a house I saw a very large brown snake( possibly a Coachwhip) he was so cold he was unable to move. we just walked around him, and a ribbon snake. None moved towards me, none even remotely attempted to bite (which is a normal defense even for harmless ones)

In short, don't fear them, they have a great purpose and do much for you. They are beautiful and deserve to coexist with us. Don't harm them just give them room to escape. You will rarely see one, Lizards are far more plentiful...harmless for the most part but everywhere. Don't spend a minute of worry on snakes. you are safe. look around... we all are alive and have made it so far.

BTW - NJ has many of the same snakes we do and I doubt you worried about them.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/snakes.pdf

Here is a good guide to FL snakes
Home

I'm told the woman that owned Deer Island (in Winter Garden) was also afraid of snakes and her husband bought some peacocks which dispatched them... I have seen a snake on Deer island but am yet to see the peacocks. :-)

Here are some other snake facts... the US have the lowest number of deaths of the continents due to snakes - about 12 / yr
Maine, Alaska and Hawaii are the only states that don't have any of the 20 venomous snakes in the US.
Most bites come from Rattle snakes and happen to those that handle them.
a coral snake caused 2 deaths in Fl in the last 40 years
The deaths by snakes include those that die of heart attacks when they see them... hardly the snakes fault
dead snakes can still deliver poison
Coral snakes are the most deadly in the US and are related to Mambas.
Snakes eat frogs, insects, rodents, and even other snakes
You have a far greater chance of dying from a bee sting or lightening in FL than a snake.

Aone,
Thanks so much for this information. Really most of these responses are so encouraging. Don't get me wrong..i hope to God I never see any of the above mentioned. I believe timing is everything?? Right? Sigh..thanks again!