Norcross, GA on Jul 21, 2012

A friend's dog was bitten by a snake last week and died. I hear so much lately about snakes and I'm terrified of them. I

have 3 dogs and want to make sure they and I are protected from them as much as possible. I've read some about snake-proofing a yard so have 2 questions. 1) See this pile of tree debris in my yard. Is there someone in the Gwinnett Cty (metro Atlanta) area who would come haul this off for me? 2) How would I find someone who comes to the house and does snake proofing?

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April Lawrenceville, GA

@Louise - I'm sorry to hear about your friend's dog. :( I hope the situation gets sorted. I'm pretty sure there's probably businesses out there that will help you clear it and pest control places to keep things under control. Will keep you in my prayers.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Sherry R Lubbock, TX

A lady over here in Lubbock, stepped off her porch (never had a problem in 37 years) but this one day she didn't look. Got bitten and spend 2 weeks in ICU and another week in regular room. She was older lady but survived. It's a real concern here because of the water shortage and they are coming out of the fields. We actually have rattlesnake round-ups annually to manage the increasing populations. Google-Rattlesnake round-up Sweetwater, Texas

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
April Lawrenceville, GA

Sorry to hear that, Sherry! Hope she's okay now.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
April Lawrenceville, GA

Hmm, it won't let me edit, so I'll just say add that I'm gas she's okay and hope everyone stays safe.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Hometipster.com Columbus, MS

Snakes can be a real problem, especially if you don't know which are venomous. I live in a tropical climate and each year I capture in excess of 10 King Cobras in my garden. I just can't bear to kill anything, so I capture and release in the nearby jungle. In my youth I kept snakes so I know what I'm doing but the best thing to do... avoid them altogether. If you see one, just walk away.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

There is no way to completely snakeproof you place. However, it would be a good idea to put screen or boards on the back of those open steps. As for the holes where chipmunks use under the step, feel free to close it in because they have other entrances they can use. You can hammer a slighty larger rock into that hole...I have done this before in places where my lawn was being chewed up. Then put some dirt over it. Then do preventive work. Do not leave out water bowls for dogs or ...»
plants to draw snakes in to water. Put up a fence for your dogs and keep it decluttered...and at least some of the space on the other side of the fence. Piled up debris or overgrown areas encourage snakes, as do some decorative grasses.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

P.S. That photo you posted is a perfect nesting place for snakes...eliminate these types of piles of debris! Bag it up and haul it off but do not attempt to burn in a place as urban as is Norcross.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

Thanks, Jeanette. I like your idea of a backing on open steps. I have that kind on my deck. I do have a fence for the dogs but a snake could so easily get into the yard and knowing 2 of my dogs, they'd go nuts over one and wouldn't leave it alone. And with my horrible fear and ignorance about them, I'd be no help. Thus, my desire to make things inhospitable for them. Yesterday I spoke with a neighbor who does yard work and he's going to give me an estimate to haul away my pile. That will ...»
make me rest a bit easier. And no, I never burn anything. The rules say burning must be 50 ft from a structure, and with my smallish lot, that would be tricky, plus I have so many trees, I'd surely catch something on fire.

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Joan Good Marietta, GA

If you are worried about the dogs, contact pacesetter training kennel in Winterville. They go well beyond traditional sit/stay type dog training. If they don't do snake training, they will know who does. You may not be able to get every snake out of your yard, but you can train your dogs to stay clear of any they may come across and alert you to any they see as well. pacesttr at windstream.net A few hundred dollars of training now could save thousands in vet bills later, or worse!

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia Summerfield, FL

Did you know that there is a "snake vaccine" for dogs now. I just started my dachshund on the vaccine. Ask you vet, My dog had is first vaccine then 3 weeks later he had his second dose. Now he only has to have it once a year. It only cost $14.00 per dose. What the vaccine does is if a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, the vaccine counteracts the venim and helps flush it out of its system. I know how sad it is to loose a pet because of a rattlesnake bite. We live in the country and ...»
two of our cats have been bitten and died. There is not a vaccine for a cat, sad to say, but hopefully that will come real soon. Call and ask your vet. Good luck! We live in central Florida and have snakes!

on Jul 22, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

Patricia, I had no idea a vaccine was available. I'll definitely ask my vet about it. Thanks!!

on Jul 23, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Louise, yesterday I saw pictures of a dog bitten by an Eastern rattlesnake. His head was as big as a pumpkin. He was taken to the vet hospital and got 30 vials of antivenom and he is alive & doing well. Apparently many wonderful people on facebook donated for his $20,000 vet bill. Any "leftover" money will be donated for animal care.

on Jul 23, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Patricia, I never hard of a preventative for snake bites. I'll be checking with my vet tomorrow. My big 103 lb boy dog killed a "red on yellow poisionous snake" - can't remember what kind of snake but my boy dog and his sister weren't hurt. The snake died. Since then I keep the dogs on leashes and don't let them near the small lake and high weeds.

on Jul 23, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

Sherrie, I think I saw that on FB, also. Seems the dog was named Cassie or something like that?

on Jul 23, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

Sherrie, "Red touches yellow, there's a dead fellow. Red touches black, another chance Jack."
The red touches yellow is a coral snake (deadly). Red touches black is a type of king snake (not poisinous). I am not sure we have the coral snake in north Georgia (Atlanta) but probably do in south Georgia. Like one comedian said..."The USA has a thousand poisinous snakes and Georgia has 1,001 of them."

on Jul 24, 2012 · Like 1
Sherrie S Debary, FL

Jeanette S, thank you. Now I remember it was a coral snake my big dog killed. I was shocked when I found out what it was.
Louise I think it was Cassie bitten by the rattlesnake and she lived. Good & bad snakes all scare me but I might be lucky enough to have a good snake that eats a bad one.

on Jul 24, 2012 · Like 0
Cheryl G Batson, TX

If your dog is all right with cat . I have cats that take care of the snakes and mices too. Becuase even if you take away that wood pile snake will just find some where else to live in your yard. Molf ball are good snakes don't like them.

on Jul 24, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

Then maybe I'll make it look like a snow storm with mothballs!! :-) But I think they're harmful to dogs, aren't they? Don't guess I can put them in the backyard, but maybe some hidden around the front entrances.

on Jul 24, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia Summerfield, FL

I didn't know about the Snake Vaccine either until I saw a sign in my Vet's office. I asked about it and she said that many hunters that hunt with dogs use it faithfully. I immediately started my dog on it this year. Since I live in Florida AND in the country as well as having had several of my cats bitten and die, I knew I had to have it given to my Dachshund who is nortorious at catching rats and squirrels in my yard. He would do the same with a snake without hesitation. So check ...»
with your vets about the vaccine. I just wish they had one for CATS.

on Aug 06, 2012 · Like 0
Linda B Trumbull, CT

I hope you find someone to clean up the debris. Best wishes, Linda

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

While it is true there is no way to completely snake proof your yard, you do need to clean up trashy areas and areas that invite them to come visit and look for shade. Firewood piles need to be away from the house for this reason and to avoid attracting termites to the house. Weatherstripping on garage and shed doors should be done too! It is always better to be as safe as you can!

on Aug 08, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

I had someone come haul off all of the debris a couple of weeks ago. The area looks sooo much better and I don't feel as squeamish now when I'm in that area. And Jeanette, I like the weatherstripping idea for the garage door. It has some, but I think I need to replace it to make it better

on Aug 08, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia Summerfield, FL

You need to keep any debris cleaned up around the yard. Even if you have a ground level compost pile, watch out for snakes. An enclosed compost station is the best way to compost. Snakes love those areas as well. If you have tree limbs laying around your yard, get rid of them or have someone else take them off for you. Tires laying around the yard is another item snakes like to lay in. Just keep things in order and picked up is the way to go! We can't keep snakes from coming around. ...»
I have a black snake that stays around my yard but that is a good snake to have. He is about 5 ft. long. He eats rats and will even fight off rattle snakes and other snakes. But if confronted, he may chase you!

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 0
Louise Norcross, GA

If I got chased by a snake, I'd die on the spot!!!!

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia Summerfield, FL

When I was a teenager, my Mom was chased by one. It was funny then but it wouldn't be funny to me now! I agree. I'd probably run like crazy (can't run too fast at my age now) and scream like a little girl!!!!
Laaaaaary get the gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heeeeeee I don't want to be chased at all. I'm constantly looking when i'm out in my yard or any other yard!

on Aug 12, 2012 · Like 0