Snakes alive!

While many Hood County residents are dismayed by the increasing number of snakes they are spotting recently, Mark Pyle of Granbury says it's an unusually exciting time.

"I really wish I could just take off work right now and go arund spotting," said Pyle, who is president of the DFW Herpetological Society. "There's so much activity right now."

Pyle said the weather conditions have created a unique set of circumstances that are promoting snake activity during the day.

The extended drought created an entirely new habitat in areas where the water was down, and now that the water is back up, the wildlife living in those areas need to find a new home. This, combined with lower than usual daytime temperatures, have snakes out and about during the same time as humans.

"The next couple of weeks will see a lot of snake action," Pyle said. "Once the temperatures rise they will start becoming more nocturnal again."

Pyle spends a great deal of time educating the public about snakes and their behavior through his website, www.texassnakeid.com and his Facebook page "What kind of snake is this? North Texas."

Just Back Away Slowly

Pyle says that a lot of people don't know what to do when they encounter a snake. "If you don't know what it is, simply back away slowly," said Pyle, "They don't like us, they don't want to be around us, and if you give them some room they will move along on their own."

Pyle says for the more stubborn nonvenomous visitors, a squirt with the water hose or tap with broom bristles is usually enough to make your point. Snakes won't hang out in a place they feel is dangerous.

If you find a snake in your house and feel comfortable trying to remove it, Pyle suggests laying an open trash can on its side next to the snake. They will see the dark tunnel and move into it. They can then be easily relocated.

Pyle said that both he and the Hood County Animal Control are available to assist in removal. Animal Control Officer Frank Hackett can be contacted at 817-573-4277.

Snakes Seek Food and Shelter

There are also a number of things you can do around your property to discourage snakes from living there. Pyle said that you must remove three things: shelter, food, and water.

• Maintenance: Keep your yard maintained and your grass short.
• Removal: Remove any boards, firewood or stacks of brush that might make a home for a snake.
• Trimming: Trim your bushes up off the ground, eliminating a hiding place.
• Eradication: If you have a rodent problem, solve it.
• Remove Food Sources: Bird Feeders are also a contributing factor because snakes will not only eat the bird eggs, they will eat the fecal matter from the birds.
• Remove standing water: Dry or remove any standing water on your property.

"If I didn't have food, shelter or water, I'd move along too," said Pyle. "It's impossible to keep every snake out of there, but you can make it far less attractive."

Pyle also encourages people to wear shoes at night in their yards, use a flashlight to illuminate their path and wear gloves when working around the yard. Copperheads in particular love leaf litter, he said, so it's a good idea to take a pole and rough up the area, watching for movement, before you dive in to clean.

Pyle said education is the key to keeping yourself safe.

There are only a handful of venomous snakes in Hood County, and most of the ones you'll see are harmless.