Snakes
Over time, humans have developed an innate fear of most things creepy and crawly. The king of those feared creatures is undoubtedly the snake. There are over 3,000 species of snakes in the world, with a wide range of capabilities. Fifty of those are native to Florida, and 6 of those are extremely dangerous. The Sunshine State offers the perfect environment. The slinking reptiles are cold-blooded and often slither out into open areas to warm up under the blazing rays. That’s why people will so often see them in yards, parks, golf courses, or other open, fielded areas.
Like many animals, though, they also desire shelter and will sneak into your home or office. Because the creatures are so slender and malleable, they can gain access to your building through holes you never knew existed. They crawl through pipes; they can use a tree branch to help span the distance to your roof and get to your attic; they often find their way into garages.
Some of the more common kinds of snakes can be seen year-round in both urban and natural environments. The Southern Black Racer, for instance, slithers around statewide. The 5-foot-long beast is known for its incredible speed. They often shake their tails, making a rattling noise against the floor to mimic a more deadly rattlesnake. Although Black Racers aren’t quite as venomous, their razor-sharp teeth can still cause horrible lacerations.
Rat (also called corn) snakes are also a common sight in North Port. The red and orange blotches that sit on top of tan scales make them appear very similar to Coral Snakes. These beasts are even larger, though, regularly getting up to around 6 feet long. These have been known to sneak inside buildings, especially after a hard rain, which there is plenty of in Florida.
Eastern Garter Snakes are equally common. They are comparatively small, typically around 2-3 feet, and are easy to confuse with Pygmy Rattlers because of the splotches along their bodies. Garters are often found inside bathrooms, which they sneak into through holes in the wall. They have a unique attack method: when they’re cornered, they release a foul-smelling odor and flatten their heads threateningly, warning that they’re prepared to strike. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/
If you do see a snake, it’s important to not handle it yourself. Florida is home to Pit Vipers, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Pygmy Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouths, and Coral Snakes – all extremely venomous. A bite or even a nick from these devils can be lethal. Though snakes do have colors and patterns that are distinguishable by experts, to the untrained eye, it’s difficult to know for sure what type of serpent you’re dealing with, and not worth the risk. Instead, call a licensed professional right away.
Over-A-Cheever Pest Control is proud to serve Sarasota County. Our business is owned and operated by the Cheever family. Though we spent some time in the corporate world, we decided to bring that experience and knowledge to our own company, where we call the shots and guarantee that we’re offering the best possible service. Being a locally owned business means we’re part of the same community you are, and we want our town to thrive just as much as you. That’s why we offer Healthy Home Inspections at no cost and why we’ll always go above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction.