How Do you deal with Rattlesnakes in pV (Phoenix, Flagstaff: buying a house, landscaping)

[NewyToPV]

We just bought a home with two acres in Prescott Valley. I was walking around the front of the house and I almost stepped on a coiled snake. I didn't know what kind of snake it was and I quickly stepped back. After a while it moved and it was about 3 feet long with a rattler in its tail. Finally it went into a hole right next to the front of the house. What can be done about getting rid of the snake(s)? We are from California and not used to this kind of problem. HELP!! I am also very afraid of any kind of snakes. Are there rattlesnakes that are non-poisonous here? HELP!

[ScottNYC]

whack.

[roxiemack]

run ....very fast

[roxiemack]

no, seriously, i'm not sure of any old fashioned ways to get rid of snakes, especially right by your front door
stay away from cool spots, cuz they like to keep cool in the summer sun...if you have anything stacked against the house, be very careful removing it...purdy much...they were here before us and being informed helps us all to 'just get along'
be very aware of your surroundings, as they are....welcome to the wild wild west...........yeeeee haw

[BriansPerspective]

Are you sure it was a rattlesnake? Did it make noise when it shook its tale? Or did you just say rattlesnake because you're in the southwest? There are beneficial snakes that you do not want to harm. For example, King snakes actually eat rattlesnakes in addition to rats and mice. Rattlesnakes are beneficial as well, but not in your front yard! If it WAS a rattlesnake it could have gone into its nest where it might be making lots more rattlesnakes. Some nests can contain lots of baby snakes.

Your best bet is probably to call animal control and inform them. Hopefully they will come and remove the nest. Otherwise, you can try calling a few pest control companies. If that fails, you can try to poison the nest yourself, but you will have to do your own research on that one. Good luck!

[NewyToPV]

Thanks for the response. I saw that it had about four rings on the rattle at the end of its tail so I assume it is a rattlesnake. I have been researching for the best way, instead of killing the snakes. I saw that there is an electronic snake repeller by Sentinel and I also saw that there are other chemicals like Serpent Guard. Does anyone know which would be the best to use??

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by NewyToPV

Thanks for the response. I saw that it had about four rings on the rattle at the end of its tail so I assume it is a rattlesnake. I have been researching for the best way, instead of killing the snakes. I saw that there is an electronic snake repeller by Sentinel and I also saw that there are other chemicals like Serpent Guard. Does anyone know which would be the best to use??

Yes, that is a rattlesnake. Most likely a Western Diamondback but I have seen Green Mohave's out there also. A Green Mohave is ten times more deadly than a Diamondback. The electronic stuff is useless and most chemical sprays are also useless. The only way to get rid of them is to physically remove them. Call a professional. If you get bit, you can die, or get seriously injured. If you are not insured, a typical rattlesnake bite costs around $20,000 to treat, not counting complications. Call a pro!

It's also NOT true that all rattlesnakes "rattle" their tail before they strike. Many people step on them without ever hearing a thing. Last year, a woman died in the Chino Valley area after being bit by what was determined to be a rattlesnake. Don't play around. Call a professional!

Also, being that the medical treatment in Prescott & Prescott Valley is so lame, they do not carry anti-venom up there. I already went-off on the medical staff up in Prescott for being so lame in not carrying anti-venom. They do NOT carry anti-venom in the Prescott tri-cty area. They will put you in a helicopter and send you to Phoenix or Flagstaff for treatment. Add another $10,000 - $15,000 on top of that $20,000 medical bill for helicopter transport. So now you are up to $35,000 in medical bills.

In June 2008, near the Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona. Six people died after two medical helicopters crashed.

[NewyToPV]

DellNec, I am beginning to worry and PANIC about buying a house in the middle of a rattlesnake infested area. I guess I will have to clear the landscaping of any brush and place gravel or some type of rock landscaping around the house. I read (again) that snakes don't like to crawl over gravel (I hope). In the meantime, I am buying heavy duty boots and leggings when I walk my yard..

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by NewyToPV

DellNec, I am beginning to worry and PANIC about buying a house in the middle of a rattlesnake infested area. I guess I will have to clear the landscaping of any brush and place gravel or some type of rock landscaping around the house. I read (again) that snakes don't like to crawl over gravel (I hope). In the meantime, I am buying heavy duty boots and leggings when I walk my yard..

I would have to say that is most likely an old wives' tail. Think about it, the desert landscape is mostly rocks, sand and gravel. Snakes have mastered this landscape and are very well capable of maneuvering over such areas.

Here is a pic showing a Diamondback on a gravel surface:




First thing is NOT to panic. You have to address this logically and correctly. Call a professional exterminator who is knowledgeable in rattlesnake removal. Second, this person will tell you what you should do to REDUCE the likelihood of a rattlesnake encounter. You will NEVER eliminate them, unless you move to an older, developed city area, like downtown Prescott or PV. Where everything is paved over, even then, the occasional sighting might still happen if there is an open field nearby.

I figure you live in more of a rural part of PV, therefore you will see rattlesnakes. I run a business in Prescott and I encounter BLACK WIDOWS & CENTIPEDES inside the business, both of which are poisonous also. We have professional pest control services here but we will never eliminate them, as they have been here thousands of years before we ever showed up.

That is desert life. I own 10+ acres out in Williamson Valley and I encounter rattlesnakes almost every 2 weeks. That is just a fact of rural living. I almost got bit by a Green Mohave, being I almost stepped on it. It was HUGE, about 4' in length. It never rattled, it blended with the ground, I didn't see it until I was almost on top of it.

Carry a stick when you go outside and use that to manuever and check areas. The snake can go after the stick instead of your legs. Keep children and pets out of the yard until the professionals come in. Spring time is prime time for snake activity. Especially the baby ones.gl

[BriansPerspective]

As DellNec said, you need to be aware, but not panicky. You have about a 1 in 40,000 chance of being bitten by a rattlesnake and a much lower chance of a fatal bite.