Snake Activity in the Bay Area

GOT SNAKES? is working with Animal Control Agencies, Sheriff Departments, Fire Departments, and numerous private Pest Control Companies to provide a safe and professional service. Remember, police and fire departments are trained to deal with criminal investigations and medical emergencies, not rattlesnake removal and prevention. We don't catch criminals or put out fires! If you can call the leading professionals for the problem at hand why take the risk? 5/7/2014 Rattlesnakes in San Mateo County are on the move. If you live next to an open space use caution when doing yard work or enjoying the warm summer evenings outside. 5/5/2014 Rattlesnake calls coming in from Animal Control and Humane Societies throughout the Bay Area. Contra Costa County, Alameda County, and San Mateo County are leading in rattlesnake activity this year. 5/4/2014 California king snakes seem to be very active right now. We have had calls for California king snakes in Menlo Park, San Carlos, Los Altos, Hillsborough, San Ramon, Berkeley, and Danville. All snakes were in the garage or on the backyard patio. King snakes are harmless and will actually eat other snakes, rattlesnakes included! 5/3/2014 The drought in California has left many natural water sources high and dry. The lack of water in the undeveloped hills and parklands is forcing wildlife, rattlesnakes included, to search out reliable water sources closer to home, our homes to be specific. Our irrigated lawns, gardens, and swimming pools act as attractants for a variety of wildlife during drought years. Northern Pacific Rattlesnake - San Mateo County 5/1/2014 GOT SNAKES? has been busy removing rattlesnakes throughout the Bay Area. Our "HOT" regions include San San Mateo County, Contra Costa County, and Santa Clara County. 3/22/2014 Snakes are on the move in the Bay Area. Rattlesnakes in San Mateo County. 3/12/2014 More snake activity reported in Hillsborough, Walnut Creek, Los Altos, San Mateo, and Redwood City. 4/3/2013 Lost Altos and Woodside reporting gopher snakes coming out of hibernation 2/2/13 Snakes in Winter? A resident in Pleasanton reported a snake falling out of a ceiling vent in Danville California. An unusual call indeed! 7/8/2012 GOT SNAKES? is a green company. The term "Green" is used haphazardly with many businesses these days. GOT SNAKES? does not use any chemicals, kill traps, or stressful capture techniques that other "pest control" companies may use. We provide a solutions-based alternative attacking each job holistically, ensuring long term results. 7/6/2012 There has been a lot of rattlesnake removals in Blackhawk, Alamo, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Woodside, Mountain View, and even Marin. San Mateo County and Contra Costa County have had a lot of baby rattlesnakes this year. Keep in mind that Animal Control typically responds only if it is a rattlesnake and it is visible at the time of the call. 7/1/2012 GOT SNAKES? has received many calls for property inspections after Animal Control, Pest Removal Services, Wildlife Management companies, Fire Departments, and Police Departments have responded to emergency snake removal calls. Keep in mind these agencies and businesses may not have the experience, knowledge, or ability to safely handle a venomous snake removal. Even if they manage to safely capture the snake the animal is almost always destroyed and property inspections are almost unheard of. 6/27/2012 Rattlesnakes captured in Plesanton, Sunol, Santa Rosa, and Petaluma. 6/25/2012 Where is GOT SNAKES? seeing the most snakes? Danville, San Jose, Fremont, Santa Rosa, Napa, and Pittsburg have been hot spots this week. The majority of snake removals have been northern pacific rattlesnakes. California kingsnakes have also been seen in larger numbers than years past. Not all snakes should be removed from your property. California kingsnakes are harmless and they also eat other snakes including rattlesnakes. California kingsnakes are banded with black and white rings going down the body. Having a kingsnake in your yard is a very good thing as they keep rodent and rattlesnake populations in check. GOT SNAKES? suggests leaving nonvenomous snakes be to act as a natural pest control. 6/23/2012 Be aware that tyring to kill a snake creates a far more dangerous situation than is necessary. The majority of bites occur when people try to kill or capture a snake. Understand that snakes do not want to bite but will if they are cornered or harassed. Instead of grabbing the shovel grab the phone and call a professional. 6/20/2012 Several calls this week after State Parks or Regional Park Districts cut grass near homes. Cutting tall grass and heavy equipment often causes snakes to move into adjacent yards for safety. 6/15/2012 Rattlesnakes removed from homes in Alamao, Walnut Creek, and Black Hawk. 6/14/2012 Several property inspections in the last few days in response to pets being bitten. It is important to take pets to a vet as soon as a bite has occurred. Even if you have not seen the bite occur, if your animal is showing signs of swelling or significant discomfort take them to your vet. Also, check with your vet to make sure they have the ability to treat snake bites. Not every veterinarian has antivenin on hand or the experience to treat such a serious injury. 6/10/2012 California Mountain Kingsnake removed from crawl space in Los Gatos. 6/8/2012 Two baby rattlesnakes removed from wood pile next to home in La Honda. Kingsnake removed from garage in Danville. 6/7/2012 Rattlesnakes removed from homes in Saratoga, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Fremont, and Portola Valley. 6/5/2012 Keeping rodent populations under control and keeping well maintained properties are two of the most basic ways to prevent snakes from taking up residency at around your home or business. 6/4/2012 There have been an abundance of young rattlesnakes Pittsburg and Antioch hills. Many recent calls have involved pets being bitten and more than one snake being found in suburban yards. Residents living east of Buchanan road and near openspace should be cautious on warm days this summer. 6/1/2012 In the last week GOT SNAKES? has removed rattlesnakes in Sonoma County, Marin, Blackhawk, Danville, Alamo, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Dublin, San Ramon, Orinda, Lafayette, Santa Rosa, American Canyon, Benicia, Livermore, Pleasant Hill, Woodside, Los Altos Hills, and San Jose. Be cautious when gardening or doing yard work. 5/28/2012 While searching for and capturing venomous snakes can be potentially dangerous, I am often faced with other dangerous situations while working. Black widows and rats in crawlspaces, possums in attics, leaking sewage under houses, scorpions scattering, faulty construction, and gun toting land owners intent on shooting any scaly thing I can find. Every job is unique and presents its own challenges. Believe me when I say, I have seen and heard it all! 5/25/2012 An 7 foot long Columbian Boa was "released" in the lobby of a retirement home in Concord! Evidently the owner of the snake decided that it was appropriate to simply dump the large constrictor at the care facility. Responsible pet owners should be just that, responsible. Had that individual done a small amount of research they would have realized that there are numerous organizations that would have gladly taken the snake without the need for the police and GOT SNAKES? to get involved. 5/20/2012 Rattlesnakes removed from properties in Palo Alto and Los Gatos. I saw several gopher snakes which the were left to fulfill their ecological role. Snakes provide a natural and free pest control service and should be welcomed by any home owner. While rattlesnakes are emmensly beneficial to the ecosystem, I understand that their pressence is an uneasy one for many people. This is why I try to provide a humane and comprehensive service that not only benefits my clients but the snakes as well. 5/15/2012 During the last week I removed rattlesnakes from homes in La Honda, Alamo, Livermore, Sunol, Pleasanton, Danville, and Orinda. Many homes had rodent issues that may have contributed to the problem. 5/10/2012 Seeing a lot of Pacific gopher snakes recently. This harmless and beneficial species os regularly misidentified as a northern pacific rattlesnake. It is advised to call professional before trying to capture or kill a snake. Unfortunately, the last two gopher snakes were killed do to this common misunderstanding. 5/7/2012 Hot spots include Antioch, Hayward Hills, East San Jose, Los Gatos, and Los Altos. 5/5/2012 Several young rattlesnakes removed from Blackhawk home, possible den-site nearby. 5/4/2012 Rattlesnakes removed from patio in Moraga, garden in Danville, and front lawn in Woodside. Kingsnake relocated on a property in Walnut Creek. 5/2/2012 Santa Rosa, Napa, Benicia, and Pittsburg have produced large numbers of northern pacific rattlesnakes recently.