Snake control in Plano, TX is often an unavoidable fact of life. Snakes can make their way into your yard, shed, garage, and even inside your house, despite your best efforts to keep them out. But in an area with such a high snake population, there are a lot of misconceptions about which types of snakes are venomous and what you should do if bitten. Keep these four facts in mind the next time you see a snake, so you can react in the safest way possible.
All Snakes Can Bite You but not all snakes are venomous
There are seven venomous snakes in the Plano area: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Western Diamond Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Massasagua, Pigmy Rattlesnake, and Texas Coral Snake. It isn't easy to tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes unless you are an expert, so if you can't identify a snake as non-venomous, then treat it as if it were venomous.
If Bitten, You Can Tell if the Snake Was Venomous by the Bite
While there is rarely a simple rule to tell whether a snake is venomous or not just by looking at it, if you are bitten, you can tell right away. Venomous snake bites will appear as two side-by-side rows of holes with two slightly larger holes at the top of each row. Non-venomous bites form the shape of a V. Non-venomous bites need only to be washed with soap and water, disinfected with peroxide or a topical disinfectant, and watched closely for a few days. If the bite starts to show signs of infection, you will need to see a doctor.
Venomous Bites Are Rarely Fatal in the U.S.
In the United States, death due to snake bite averages out to only about two every year, and in the majority of those cases, drugs or alcohol played a role. Unless you are miles out in the woods and all alone, the chances that you will be unable to receive adequate medical care in the event of a bite are pretty slim. If you are bitten, the most important thing to do is to stay calm and get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Take off socks and shoes if you were bitten on the leg, or jewelry and long sleeves if the bite is on the arm. Do not tourniquet the limb, do not ice the bite, and never try to suck the venom out.
Calling a Wildlife Control Company Is the Safest Way to Get Snakes off Your Property
Whether a snake looks venomous or not, it is not usually safe to try to kill, handle, or remove it on your own. Snake control experts in PlanoSnake control experts in Plano, TX are experienced in the safest ways to get rid of snakes. Call Wildlife X Team when you need a snake or snakes removed, knowing that you are keeping yourself and your family safe.