Rattlesnakes in your backyard? (Tucson: home, landscaping, living in)

[gengegals3]

Hey All,

I've recently just posted something about Tucson and wanted to know the true scoop about what living in Tucson is really like.

I also have a question about Arizona critters - namely Rattlesnakes - and how we might keep them out of our yards and most importantly, how do families with dogs keep their pups safe from them?

Thanks in advance.

Elizabeth

[509]

Good luck keeping rattlesnakes out of your yard.

Keep a shovel handy for killing small rattlesnakes. Keep a gun handy for killing large rattlesnakes.

Last thing you want is a fair fight with a rattlesnake. Don't **** them off, just kill them.

As for dogs, get the rattlesnake vaccination at your vet. $30 a year after the first set. It works, most of the time.

Any dog that gets bitten by a snake, deserved it. Snakes stink. Dogs are well aware of them before they attack the snake.

Get your dog into a snake aversion class....basically they hit your dog with a jolt of electricity and your dog associates the pain with the snake and will never come close to a snake again.

BTW... you really don't need to kill snakes if they are just "visiting" your yard. I have lots of snakes move through my yard and I never see them again, but then again their friends sometimes come visit looking for them.

I own property in eastern Washington and Arizona....more snakes in Washington state than Arizona.

[Caladan]

If your backyard has any sort of gate, you will not be able to keep a rattlesnake from getting in. Most backyard fences have at least one gate. I guess you could eliminate any gates you might have (assuming a solid block fence), and seal up the joint between the fence and the house, but given that a rattlesnake isn't a common occurrence, I don't think all that would be worth the trouble. More important is keeping your property free of the kinds of animals that snakes like to eat. Snakes won't hang around a place where there isn't any food. Kinda like me.....

As already mentioned, take the dog to an avoidance class. Be mindful when outside, don't stick your hands in a place where you can't see, and have the phone number of a snake removal entity should you be lucky enough to see a rattlesnake in your backyard.

[eddie gein]

If you live IN Tucson you likely won't ever even see a snake. If you live in the foothills or in the areas on the perimeter of town that have "natural" landscaping you are going to encounter them sometimes. Generally, they aren't aggressive unless you startle them. But they can be anywhere in your yard or driveway or porch from about April to October. They like to warm up next to patio glass windows in the spring and fall.

Tucson has a snake removal program. You call them and they will come out and remove the snake and relocate them. You don't have to mess with the snake other than the knowing it's there while you wait.

But I repeat. If you live in town there are no snakes to worry about.

[jlawrence01]

Do remember that the rattlesnakes control the growth of the pack rat population. Anyone who has dealt with pack rats and the damage they create welcome the snakes in the area. Most communities in the area have a snake patrol that removes snakes from your yard and deposits them out in the desert.

[Ex New Yorker]

I've lived in Arizona for 12 years now and have only seen two rattlesnakes. One that someone had killed out on Burro Creek Road (cut its head off with a shovel) and the other was crossing the road near the Roosevelt Dam. Snakes will not bother you unless they feel threatened and would rather leave you alone. Rattlesnakes will generally not want to waste their venom on anything that they can't eat.

We've gone wandering out into the desert at least a hundred or so times since we've lived here and more than likely passed by them without even knowing that they are there. Of course you have to keep your ears open and be careful where you walk. Killing them just for the sake of killing them should never be an option. If you leave them alone they'll leave you alone. They prefer to stay hidden from people and animals they perceive as a threat to them. Most of the time they'll hide in a shady spot to escape the heat and to feel safe from predators.

https://animals.net/diamondback-rattlesnake/ diamondback-rattlesnake Diamondback Rattlesnake - Description, Habitat, Diet ...
– No venomous snake wants to waste its venom, because it must produce more after it uses up its venom stores. The rattle of this species gives predators a warning to stay away

[509]

Originally Posted by Ex New Yorker

I've lived in Arizona for 12 years now and have only seen two rattlesnakes. One that someone had killed out on Burro Creek Road (cut its head off with a shovel) and the other was crossing the road near the Roosevelt Dam. Snakes will not bother you unless they feel threatened and would rather leave you alone. Rattlesnakes will generally not want to waste their venom on anything that they can't eat.

We've gone wandering out into the desert at least a hundred or so times since we've lived here and more than likely passed by them without even knowing that they are there. Of course you have to keep your ears open and be careful where you walk. Killing them just for the sake of killing them should never be an option. If you leave them alone they'll leave you alone. They prefer to stay hidden from people and animals they perceive as a threat to them. Most of the time they'll hide in a shady spot to escape the heat and to feel safe from predators.

Hmm....12 years in Arizona and ONLY two snakes?? There a "magic" times when every snake comes out to wander. Generally, temperatures in the 60's with the ground in the 80's.

Killing snakes outside your home is probably a good idea. I don't do it. Just accept them as trespassers without permisson.

However, a friend of mine got bit by a rattlesnake on his property in Washington state. 3 days in intensive care and a $40,000 dollar medical bill. Don't fool with rattlesnakes.

I had a snake come in my garage one year. My wife called me and asked what to do. I told her to throw the cat into the garage and let them sort it out. Five hours later, we opened the garage door and the cat walked out. We are not sure what happened to to the snake.

Rattlesnakes are actually pretty nice creatures, but they have this ONE design flaw.

[Caladan]

Originally Posted by 509

Rattlesnakes are actually pretty nice creatures, but they have this ONE design flaw.

I'm still laughing from that......

[bobsell]

Only one way to get rid of rattlesnakes.

Vote them out.


ba dum tiss

[Mikala43]

Our yard has a regular white fence rails, and then 4 inch wire with half inch wire on the bottom. Still have had a couple snakes.

Our dog was taken to rattlesnake avoidance training, but he is due for a refresher.

It worked really well in the beginning, he would avoid the hose, wiggly cracks in the road....

(We are in NV, but same concepts )