(haipo) Towards the summer holidays and the peak of the summer season, The snake catcher of the Haifa Municipality, Dagan Erez, With over 30 years of experience in the profession, he publishes a series of important tips for parents and residents on how to prevent encounters with snakes around the home, in the garden, in parks and on nature trips, especially when children go on vacation and spend a lot of time outside.
Children in the yard and garden – daily inspection before leaving
When children go on vacation, their chances of encountering a snake increase. Before small children go out into the yard or garden each day, they should go through the yard with a broom and gently tap the plants, move toys and objects placed on the lawn or on the balcony, and make sure there are no snakes in the area. If a snake is found, maintain eye contact from a distance of about three meters, do not leave the area even for a moment, and immediately call a certified snake catcher.
Caution in parks, playgrounds, and nature walks
When going out to parks, lots or open spaces, one should exercise increased caution, avoid entering areas of bushes or tall vegetation and do not put hands in places where one cannot see. On nature trips, it is recommended to wear high shoes, pay attention to where one steps and places one's hands and not enter areas crowded with vegetation where one cannot see the ground. However, Erez emphasizes that there is no need to get into unnecessary fears and lock oneself away at home, freedom is for enjoying, simply with more attention.
Get to know the snakes in the area – the viper is the only venomous one
According to the snake catcher, the only venomous snake in the Haifa area is the viper. There are other snakes, but they are not dangerous. In the summer season, vipers are active mainly in the evening, night, and early morning hours, and these are the times when you may encounter them. Rattlesnakes, on the other hand, are also active during the day. Erez notes that sometimes you may encounter a viper during the day, when it has gone to sleep under an object or piece of furniture and then you encounter it when you move the object. It is important to know that snakes do not attack intentionally or without reason, they only attack if you step on them or get too close to them, and they will always try to warn you first with a hiss that means "don't come close."
In case of a bite – go to the hospital immediately.
In the event of a bite, it is important to get to a hospital as soon as possible, both when it comes to human and animal bites. After every bite, it is important to call a certified snake catcher to locate the snake and capture it. In the event that the snake is in a public area, call 106. Erez reminds us that the snake is a protected animal by law and it is forbidden to harm it, so do not try to catch or kill snakes yourself.
Tidying up the garden and treating attractants – the effective way to prevent
The most effective way to prevent snakes from entering your home is to keep your garden clean and tidy. Keep your grass short and trim any bushes that touch the ground and walls of your home, clear away piles of scrap metal such as ceramics, roof tiles, planks and trimmings, and seal gaps under storage doors. Snakes come to where there is food, so exterminating rodents, mice and rats, which are the preferred food of snakes, significantly reduces the chance of encountering them. In addition, leaky faucets should be repaired and containers with standing water emptied, as snakes are thirsty after a hot day and in the evenings approach houses and gardens to look for water to drink and cool off.
House sealing and myths that don't work
Cracks under doors and around pipes should be sealed and tree branches or climbing plants that touch the roof or windows should be removed, as snakes are excellent climbers. Erez emphasizes that one should not waste time spreading lime, gravel, eggs, garlic, mothballs or other substances marketed as a solution; they have no scientific proof and, in his experience, they do not keep snakes away at all. The only effective way is to keep a clean and tidy garden, pay increased attention and contact a certified snake catcher at every encounter.
The author: Dagan Erez, certified snake catcher - 054-8808300 You are welcome to consult with me and save the number for when needed.
How do you distinguish between a venomous and non-venomous snake?
Does Erez Dagan pay for regular advertising or is he a member of the system?
Thanks to all who responded, sorry it took me so long to respond 🙏
Protected or not, if a snake comes near my area or my children's, it won't survive, I'm scared to death of them. And I'd rather they die before me🤪
They are alive, but Ronnie, you have a good diagnosis, they were very dormant, they were caught in the winter, that's why I catch them and return them to the wild.
In the picture they look dead, it doesn't look like a natural position, in any case don't kill fewer snakes,
There is a snake bite.
There is a snake biting.
Dagan Erez Under no circumstances should you harm or harm the currency dealer. He is a true friend who does no harm to anyone and is not to be feared. Write it down before you.
I completely agree with you, thanks Dobby.
Hello. Does the city snake catcher charge a fee for catching a snake? If so, what is the cost?
Hi if it is in a public place it is free of charge
Tip for snake catchers: Stop releasing this dangerous thing back into the wild, there are other animals that will maintain the ecological balance.
It's part of the balance of nature, if that's what you understand the fear people have and that's why I'm pushing them back into nature.