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Protection from Snakes
How to keep
snakes out of my yard ?
People who frequent wild areas, as well as those who
camp, hike, or live in snake-inhabited areas, should be aware of potential
dangers posed by venomous snakes. A bite from one of these, in which the
snake may inject varying degrees of toxic venom, should always be considered
a medical emergency.
Few basic first-aid techniques according to the American Red Cross are :
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Wash the bite with soap
and water. |
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Immobilize the bitten
area and keep it lower than the heart. |
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Get medical help. |
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If a victim is unable
to reach medical care within 30 minutes, a bandage, wrapped two to
four inches above the bite, may help slow venom. The bandage should
not cut off blood flow from a vein or artery. A good rule of thumb is
to make the band loose enough that a finger can slip under it.
A suction device may be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of
the wound without making cuts. Suction instruments often are included
in commercial snakebite kits. |
Avoiding Snakebites
Some bites, such as those inflicted when snakes are accidentally
stepped on or encountered in wilderness settings, are nearly impossible to
prevent. Few precautions can lower the risk of being bitten:
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Leave snakes alone.
Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get a
closer look at it. |
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Stay out of tall grass
unless you wear thick leather boots. |
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Keep hands and feet out
of areas you can't see. Don't pick up rocks or firewood unless you are
out of a snake's striking distance. (A snake can strike half its
length) |
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Be cautious and alert
when climbing rocks. |
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What do you do if you
encounter a snake when hiking or picnicking ? -- Just walk around
the snake, giving it a little berth--six feet is plenty. But leave it
alone and don't try to catch it. |
Safety Precautions With Snakes
Following floods, snakes are often forced into places where they
are not usually found. If you live in an area where snakes inhabit, take the
following precautions:
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Learn how to identify
poisonous snakes common to your area. |
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Be alert for snakes in
unusual places. They may be found in or around homes, barns,
outbuildings, driftwood, leaves, dikes, dams, stalled automobiles,
piles of debris, building materials, trash or any type of rubble or
shelter. |
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Before beginning any
clean-up or rescue operations, search the premises thoroughly for
snakes. They may be under or near any type of protective cover. |
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In rescue or clean-up
operations, wear heavy leather or rubber high-topped boots and heavy
gloves. Wear trouser legs outside boots. Be extremely careful around
debris. Use rakes, pry bars or other long-handed tools when removing
debris. Never expose your hands, feet or other parts of your body in a
place were a snake might be hiding. |
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Do not allow children
to play around debris. |
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Nonpoisonous snakes can
be captured by pinning the snake down with a longer stick or pole,
preferably forked at one end, and then removed by scooping up with a
snow shovel or flat-blade shovel. |
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As a last resort, you
may need to kill a poisonous snake. Club it with a long stick, rod or
other tool. Never attempt to kill a poisonous snake with an instrument
that brings you within the snake's striking range. |
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If you realize you are
near a snake, avoid sudden movement. Sudden movement may cause the
snake to strike. If you remain still the snake may leave. If the snake
does not move away from you after a few minutes, slowly back away from
it. |
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Most snakes are not
harmful or poisonous. Most snakes can be coaxed to leave the area, or
will leave on their own. |
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If someone is bitten by a poisonous
snake, call a doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately.
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How to keep
snakes out of my yard ?
Info from US Food & Drugs
Administration site
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