Like many I have a very large phobia of snakes. We moved to central Va about a year ago- an area that has snakes (yuck!!). I'm very clueless about them. I know they hibernate...does anyone know when they come out from hibernation? I realize I can look this up on line but I don't like seeing pictures or reading too many details about these reptiles. I know it is different depending on where you live..but is it typically when tulips come out, or later in the spring? I'm clearing out an area in our backyard near the woods (where the snakes live)...so I want to be finished before they come out. Yes I'm really paranoid of them!

By Nicki on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 03:38 pm:

I'm not sure about your area, Jen, but I think it's common for snakes to come out of hibernation after the last frost. We have the rattlesnakes here in Ca., and they start to surface in March.
Like you, I'm wanting to do some clearing in an untamed area of our yard, but I worry about those snakes. I guess if we wear long pants, even boots, we are taking some precaution. We have a lot of large rocky areas on our property, so my dh says to really be careful.
Hopefully someone will have better advice for you. I am happy to say I haven't seen snakes here except during the heat of summer when they have come close to the shade of our house to get cool. Sadly, my husband has had to deal with those for safety reasons. After our first summer here, we didn't see anymore near our house.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 07:31 pm:

Here's the web page of the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries about snakes. Snakes

Unfortunately, the booklet they offer is temporarily out of print. They do offer some advice on how to deter snakes from hanging around your house.

I'd contact the Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, at the nearest office: Department

I've never been bothered by snakes, and in fact rather like them by and large, so I can't empathize, but I do appreciate that a lot of people find them really icky.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 07:33 pm:

Snakes go torpid when the temperature is low - that is what happens with all "cold blooded" creatures. So the lower the temperature, the better, in timing your brush clearing activities.