Folks, for those of us living north of the equator it’s that time of the year again. The leaves are budding, the birds are singing, and the snakes are planning how to nab us on the trail.

So how do we stay safe in a world teaming with these armless hell beasts? Here are 5 ways to prevent a nasty encounter.

1. Know Where They Are

   Snakes, like the coworker in the cubicle next to you, are creatures of habit. That means that you are likely to find them in a few different situations:

   1. Basking near habitat edges: think the edge of a trail, the edge of a forest, river banks

   2. Moving between habitats: going from one of the habitats above to another. Think crossing roads

   3. During breeding season: looking for mates during the Spring and Fall

      
      
      

2. Keep Your Hands and Feet Inside the Ride at All Times

   Snakes look like sticks. Full stop. Before you take a step off trail or reach for something on the ground, take a second to confirm you’re not grabbing a handful of fangs. Here are some good rules to follow:

   1. Never place your body, limbs, digits, hair follicles, where you can’t see them. Snakes generally won’t strike you if you’re near them, but they will if you touch them.

   2. Wear your protective gear, especially when walking through snake neighborhoods

      
      
      

3. Keep Calm and Carry On

   If you see a snake, stay calm and remember that you are 100 times larger than it. Snakes would rather scoot along then tango with a Goliath. Take a step back or wait for it to move out of your way. Do not try to move the snake yourself! That’s how most bites occur.

   
   
   

4. Remove Hiding Spots NOT Snakes

   Snakes are cold blooded, but that doesn’t mean they need to soak up rays from sun up to sun down.

   Wood piles, rock gardens, and clusters of debris, are all great places for snakes to keep cool and to find food. If you have any of these in your yard or around your house, consider getting rid of them.

   When removing these transient snake homes, use long hand tools to keep the debris away from your body. Be sure to watch your step and wear protective gear.

   
   
   

5. Train Your Kids and Furry Kids

   My dog and I come across rattlesnakes on the trail weekly. Before I considered taking her off leash, I enrolled her into rattlesnake training.

   The first thing you learn in rattlesnake training is that your dog’s natural instinct is to put its nose directly on the snake. Of the 11 dogs in the training class, 9 of them did this. Astonishing! It pays to train your dog to avoid these situations.

   Hope your kids will have a different reaction? Don’t count on it. Teach your kids to stay away from snakes. When they master that skill, maybe teach them the nuances of venomous snake identification.

Knowledge is power, but if you’re looking for some extra peace of mind on your next excursion check out our Snake Sox, the first snake-proof leg wrap built for adventure.

Have any other tips for staying safe around snakes? Let us know in the comments!