Poisonous Snakes, Lyme ticks and gardening -- need advice before moving (Greenville: home, to buy)

[leb505]

We are considering moving from Chicago to South Carolina. We liked Irmo-Chapin area and loved Greenville. We are planning to buy a home with at least half an acre of land. We love to garden and plan to spend lots of time in the yard.
I am little concerned about Lyme disease because I had it last July after visiting Umstead State Park in Raleigh, NC and it was not fun.

While out in the yard, do you worry about Lyme ticks or poisonous snakes?
Is disease carrying ticks common in Irmo-Chapin area or Greenville?
thank you

[Iam4USC]

I hike, canoe, kayak, camp and work in my yard very regularly. I’m 53 years old and I can count less than 10 times that I’ve had a tick on me. Last time was this past summer and I felt it the minute it bit me. Swatted it right off.

Snakes are a similar story. I’ve come across the rare copperhead and rattler. More common are the cotton mouths (water moccasin) but still not very often and never in my yard. Seen several black rat snakes, corn snakes in my yard but those are beneficial and I don’t bother them.

[DemanoRock]

Snakes exist all over, but they want nothing to do with you. If walking in tall brush just shuffle your feet and they will move out of the way. May never see one before they escape if you walk like that.

Ticks... Just check yourself and your loved ones after going thru long grass. Imagine if deer go thru the area, then ticks are a possibility. As Iam4USC said, I have only had ticks a few times in the last few years. I wear long pants if I am working in heavy brush/woods. Generally not a big problem around here.