Wanted: Rattlesnake Wrangler!

November 3, 2011

Question: Do you have a phone number for someone from Fish and Game to come get a rattlesnake out of my yard? I don’t want it killed. (Anonymous)

Answer: Sorry, but Department of Fish and Game (DFG) staff will not come out to your house to remove or relocate rattlesnakes residing in your yard. However, if you can muster up the courage to deal with it yourself, you will not need a license to kill or trap it. If not, and you have no neighbors, friends or family members willing to help you move the rattlesnake, your best option will be to contact a professional pest control service to do it.

For the future, here are some helpful hints from DFG Associate Wildlife Biologist Nicole Carion on how to discourage rattlesnakes from taking up residence near your home.

1.   Don’t let feed from bird feeders overflow and build up on the ground to attract rodents.

2.   Don’t allow high rodent populations to occur near your house. Rattle-snakes are great population managers for ground squirrels and other rodents, so try to keep their numbers down.

3.   Always be mindful when working in or around wood or rock piles. Don’t stack these materials near your house.

Also, for the safety of your pets, remember to keep them indoors, especially at night.

For anyone faced with a rattlesnake in the yard (or worse - in the house or garage), if you're in the greater North Bay, you can call Joe and Wendy's Reptile Rescue and Rattlesnake Removal (707-557-5213). Joe and Wendy are awesome people and will remove your trouble snake and relocate them into remote areas where its less likely that they'll come into contact with humans again. Even if you have an entire nest of snakes on you property, Joe will remove and relocate them. Well worth the small fee that they charge for the service.

Or call me and I'll bring the BBQ !