RATTLERS!: You think you have complaints about our very hot and
dry summer, consider this: Low water is resulting in rattlesnakes
making their way downtown in Emporium.
That’s the word from the July 11 edition of the Cameron County
Echo in a story headlined, “Moving Rattlers Rattle County
Residents.”
“Cameron Countians are fairly familiar with rattlesnakes, but
not up close and personal in downtown Emporium, or on porches and
walkways around personal homes,” according to the article.
“Just last week, the ‘must-see attraction’ in Emporium was a
rattler that turned up just off Fourth Street in the area of the
Senior Center. Other close encounters have been recorded around
homes and camps throughout the county.”
Waterways Conservation Officer Bill Crisp blamed low water.
“Over the years, every time we get drought-type conditions where
the creeks are as low as they are now, snake sightings in
residential areas go way up,” he said.
“During wet years, like last year, I receive little to no
complaints of snakes in residential areas. When it is dry, the
phone starts ringing.”
Crisp noted that most residences in Cameron County are near
water. “It appears the rattlesnakes come down when it is dry,
either for the water itself, or for hunting prey that is around
water,” he said.
Crisp has some tips for homeowners to reduce the chances of
seeing rattlers: Clean up old wood piles and debris. Rotting wood
is moist and warm, and snakes like that. These areas also provide a
good feeding location since chipmunks, rats and mice like those
areas, too. Keeping grass mowed low seems to help.
In addition, there are some commercial snake repellent products
on the market that seem to be effective.
He also told the newspaper, “I know it doesn’t soothe folks’
minds when we’re talking about rattlesnakes within their yards, but
rattlesnakes are not aggressive. I have them pass through my yard
annually and have three kids who play outside all the time.”
“If I find one, I just move it back up in the woods behind the
house.”
Because his job requires him to be out and about, Crisp commonly
comes in close contact with rattlers.
“I’ve accidentally stepped on three this year. The worst that
happened was one rattled at me, and now I know I should get an
appointment with the eye doctor,” Crisp said.
