March 2010 - St. Patrick's Day

No Snakes in Ireland

True, but here in the United States we have 116 species of snakes - 19 of which are dangerous. These include 15 species of rattlesnakes, two moccasins (copperhead and cottonmouth), and two coral snakes. 

The St. Patrick mythology includes the claim that he banished snakes from Ireland. One of the best-known tales tells how he charmed the snakes of Ireland into the sea so that they drowned. Different tales tell of his standing upon a hill and using a wooden staff, driving the serpents into the sea banishing them forever from the shores of Ireland. While legend credits St. Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, all evidence suggests that post-glacial Ireland never had snakes.

Few animals are more disliked, or misunderstood than snakes. Snakes are closely related to lizards. They live in a wide variety of habitats including forests, swamps, grasslands, deserts and both fresh and salt water. Some are active at night, others during the day. Snakes are predators and eat a wide variety of animals, including rodents, insects, birds' eggs and young birds. King and Indigo Snakes eat other snakes. Some small snakes feed on earthworms, slugs and salamanders. Water snakes eat frogs, fish and tadpoles.

Depending on the species and circumstances, a non-venomous snake may react in one of several ways when threatened: it may lay on its back and play dead, hiss, open its mouth in a threatening manner, coil and strike, or bite (non-venomous snakes have several rows of short re-curved teeth).Snakes usually reproduce by laying eggs, but some hatch their eggs inside the female's body and the young are born alive. Young snakes can take care of themselves almost immediately. They generally do not breed inside houses, but have been known to lay eggs, or bear live young in or under foundations. When inspecting property with potential snake infestations, follow these precautions:

• Wear protective clothing (i.e., long, loose pants, outside high-top leather boots, heavy socks, leather gloves, long-sleeved shirt and/ or coveralls).
• Do not approach within striking range (usually about 1/3 of the snake's body length).
• Do not put your hands or feet in places that you cannot see.
• When in crawl spaces or similar enclosed areas that might be infested, maintain communication with another person.

Snake Control & Removal:  There are no toxicants or fumigants that are legal for snake control. There are commercially-available snake repellents, but their effectiveness is variable and should always be used in conjunction with a more comprehensive Integrated Pest Management plan, such as the snake control and snake removal services available from the professionals at Critter Control.

Fun Fact 1:

The anaconda, one of the world's largest snakes, gives live birth to its young instead of laying eggs.

Fun Fact 2:

On any given day, 5.5 million pints of Guinness, the famous Irish stout, are consumed around the world. On St. Patrick's Day, that number more than doubles to 13 million pints.  Source: Guinness.

For animal removal, animal exclusion and animal damage repair services, call the professionals at CRITTER CONTROL anywhere in the U.S., by dialing 1-800-CRITTER (274-8837).

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