Watch for Snake Habitats - Snakes like to hide, so you may not know they are around until you actually see them. Snakes shed their skins several times a year, so one of the first signs might be the shed skins they leave behind. If you live in an area that is dusty or have a yard that is mostly dirt, you might also see twisty trails as they slither along. Snakes like to hide in heavy vegetation and under porches, decks, piles of rocks and in holes. Be on the lookout around your property, and if you live in an area where snakes are common, approach them with caution.

The best ways to prevent snakes is to:

• Remove heavy vegetation like tall grass.
• Put fences around ponds and bodies of water to keep out swimming snakes.
• Fill in holes where they might like to hide.
• Remove rock piles and other hiding spaces.
• Prevent snake problems by removing their food sources like frogs, toads, salamanders, insects, worms, birds and small rodents.

Snake venom is deadly, with as many as 100,000 people worldwide dying each year from snake bites - Often, snakes are difficult to identify right away, especially if they are moving fast. Always assume that any snake you see is poisonous and slowly back away if you are in close quarters with a snake. Never attempt to remove a snake on your own. This increases the chances that you will get bitten, and if the snake is venomous, you will require emergency medical treatment and fast!