Unwanted Summer Guest

Image via Wikipedia

Just as the weather starts to warm up and everyone is outside planting flowers and cutting grass.  It’s trim, cut and plant.  And who do you think awakens when all this trampling about, with all the lawnmowers, weedeaters, and blowers are coming and going, well it not a friendly face I can guarantee  you that; no it’s most likely jake the snake. 

We normally don’t mind sharing our yards with the neigborhood bees, spiders or birds; but Jake is another story; this time of the year is when they really get a little agitated; and that’s because there’s so much going on outside, whether he’s ready to wake up or not, we have a tendency to over look the fact that he’s getting his beauty rest, therefore; when he’s awaken, it’s like what have I done.  Seriously, this time of the year is when everyone should be very careful, snakes travel throughout the day for various reasons.  They are looking for a cooler area, and they’re in search for water and food.  When walking around outside, please stay away from tall grass and wooded areas where you have no visibility.  If you have items that are lying in a pile around the house, approach with caution; that is a good area for them to hide and utilize as shade.  Don’t allow kids to play in old sheds or in areas that has been abandoned for a while.  As for night time, yes they do travel; it’s much cooler for them so they are likely to be anywhere.  You can’t see them but they can definitely hear you.  If for some reason you just happen to run over one in the road; please look through your rear view mirror to make sure his body is still lying in the road because if it’s not, then you should get out of your car very carefully, snakes have been known to wrap around the axial of cars and trucks when drivers attempt to kill them with their car tires.  Remember to keep your yard and woodline area clutter free, and keep grass cut and free from debris, that way if you look into your yard and see something long and black stretch across the lawn, you’ll know Jake is trespassing.  Summertime news to use!