A tavern in Cave Creek backs up to a narrow wash and an electrical box that has a large packrat nest underneath. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found this useful, and made an appearance as the crew was closing up for the night.
With newly installed rattlesnake fencing that includes the gates, and brush cleared several feet from the edge of the wall, this home doesn’t have much to worry about with rattlesnakes this coming season.
More information on Rattlesnake Fencing: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/keep-snakes-away/snake-fence.php?p=social
This is a big rattlesnake! It was living at an apartment complex in a pretty urbanized area, with a bit of native land still remaining nearby.
After working more than an hour to capture an adult Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found in a backyard, Bryce found a second snake on the road crawling into the property just as he was leaving … in the bucket you go little one. Along the way to the release site, a third was spotted crossing the road. It was helped to safety, then the others were relocated to a carefully selected spot. Busy night!
This gate has been modified to keep rattlesnakes out of the courtyard. From the front, it’s hard to tell anything has been done at all.
Weeks before this Longnosed Snake was found in a glue trap in a garage, a rattlesnake was found in the same situation. Another snake, a juvenile gophersnake, was also stuck in one and was already dead. These traps can increase the rate of snake encounter, while eliminating natural predators of the intended targets. If you have these in the garage right now, safe yourself a few bucks and some encounters and let the pest control guy know they’re no longer needed.
Two rattlesnakes were found courting in an, appropriately named, courtyard. Marissa helped them to a better situation where they could continue the important task of making more little rattlesnakes without interruption.
Some visitors to Arizona from the midwest found that their airbnb was double booked, as this Sonoran Gophersnake was hanging out in a gap in the garage. This was not listed in the amenities. Marissa went out to help figure out the situation and get the snake to a suitable replacement spot.
CJ picked up this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in Cave Creek recently and found a perfect relose location underneath a dead mesquite tree. Just after the release, he saw another rattlesnake in ambush right at his feet. While that’s a great indication of having selected the right spot, it’s a reminder that the snake we’re working with is not the one we have to watch out for the most.
Nick was able to find this coachwhip hiding in a tight gap in a garage, and even get it out without being bitten. He released it to a perfect situation nearby where it can continue to eat everything it finds (including rattlesnakes).
More about why we sometimes relocate harmless snakes: https://rattlesnakesolutions.com/snakeblog/rattlesnake-solutions/why-relocate-harmless-snakes/
A Mojave Rattlesnake from north Phoenix. I twas sitting next to a large pot on the home’s front step, where it didn’t make a sound or move as it was walked past several times. Yet another example of how these snakes don’t live up to the ‘hyper-aggressive’ reputation.
A 2 for 1 rattlesnake removal. While doing some home maintenance, a homeowner was rattled by what was assumed to be one Western Diamondback Rattlesnake under the pool heater. Nick went out to capture it, but thought the spot looked too good for just one snake … so he kept at it and several minutes later, a second snake emerged. These hiding spots can be important and understanding the behavior of these animals is very important to make sure things are done properly. Both were relocated to a site that emulates the one in which they were found, and the homeowner knows what can be done to prevent this in the future.
A pair of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake were found mating in a yard and both were captured at once without breaking them up. It’s a good example, too, of the color variation that can occur between individuals within the same population. Nick relocated them together to finish making more baby rattlesnakes.
As Nick pulled into the driveway to catch a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake spotted in on an tennis court, he found another rattlesnake crossing the road. Both were relocated safely to a site that would emulate the situation that these snakes were looking for in the backyard.
Some calls are more interesting than others. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found about 4′ off the ground on a garage work bench. It likely climbed up there along a vacuum stored just to the right. Thankfully the homeowner spotted it in time and Nick was able to get out there to resolve the situation safely.
This guy crashed a party in east Scottsdale, at a home against the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Sorry guy; invited guests only for this one. CJ gave it a ride to a packrat nest that was probably less fun.
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found using the pool pump area at a home in Cave Creek. When it was being relocated,at the site CJ selected, another rattlesnake was already hanging out. That’s a great indication that the methods of release site selection are what they should be.
Some Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes from recent relocations.
This was a tough one. Marissa was able to get this snake out of the plastic netting safely (for both her and the snake). Though it has a superficial injury, it will be just fine after a shed skin or two.
Concrete and steel, along with some other adjustments, make this gate part of the best rattlesnake prevention that exists. Rattlesnake fencing installed by licensed, insured professionals can make a huge difference for the safety and enjoyability of a backyard in Arizona.
A homeowner got a shock when whe welcome mat started rattling at her! Bryce went out to discover a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake hiding under it. You can see the lump here.
A snake fence project just completed. Using black steel and mesh makes it fit the aesthetic and works with HOA guidelines to provide rattlesnake prevention while keeping things looking great. This home is going into 2024 rattlesnake season easier than last year.
This rattlesnake was spotted in the yard by the homeowner and retreated to a space under patio furniture, which is where Bryce found it when he arrived. Relocated safely to a better situation based on the species, condition, and time of year.
A 3am call from Phoenix sent CJ out to a home find a Sonoran Gophersnake cruising around in a dining room. This is in an urbanized area with a canal and habitat on the other side, though these snakes do quite well in entirely developed places. The snake was relocated the next morning to a network of deep caves shaded by large creosote near a wash.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found near the front door on Halloween night, and relocated by Derek. He got some kingsized candy bars too (Derek, not the snake).
From Dave on Halloween “This little Goblin found a Ghoul place to hide under some Halloween inflatables.”
As spring approaches, rattlesnakes denning in garages will start to spend more time near the entrance, making small movements between the winter hiding spots and the door. This staging behavior often creates small tracks and clear spots among the typical dust and debris in these corners, so even when a snake is not present, we can tell if a snake is likely in the garage. This small Western Diamondback Rattlesnake relocated by Dave a couple of months ago demonstrates this behavior.
The days before Halloween can be busy for our team. As snakes are moving into their winter dens, activity spikes just after dark. This can make for some complicated situations. Fortunately, this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was spotted before the subsequent days trick or treating activity.
Some snake fencing jobs require a lot of trenching! An essential part of effective rattlesnake prevention is to control rodent activity that could compromise a perimeter fence. We have some great methods that make rodents give up quickly, though it can make for a long day for the team. Brent did a great job on this one.
When the kids went into the garage at this Fountain Hills home, they were greeted by a rattle. This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was hiding out under the shoe rack. The door to the garage is left open frequently, making for easy access to a “cave” for a snake looking to spend the winter somewhere safe. Marissa relocated this snake safely.
Rattlesnake, meet monkey.
This poor little Patchnosed Snake was stuck on a floaty because it couldn’t climb out of the pool. Some nearby desert was just bladed, which may be what sent this little one wandering. Thankfully the homeowners saw it and Marissa was able to set the little guy back into better, drier, surroundings.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was hanging out in an elevator shaft of an underground parking garage. It’s not known how it got there, but thankfully it was in-reach so Marissa could capture it. I wonder how many skeletons are at the bottom?
The homeowner stepped outside and saw this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in this spot. This one was in Sun Lakes, a spot we aren’t often called to get rattlesnakes. It was relocated successfully.
This little Western Banded Gecko was saved from a pool skimmer on a property inspection.
Old gate with new tricks. Rattlesnake fencing was installed on this gate, meeting HOA guidelines, and providing protection to a yard that would otherwise be prone to rattlesnake visits.
The homeowners let their dogs out and noticed a baby Speckled Rattlesnake hanging out on the patio. They weren’t quite sure if it was a rattlesnake or not when they called, and thankfully they did. It was hiding out in a wood stack and bricks near the home, which it was likely using for the winter. Marissa relocated it to a carefully selected replacement hibernacula.
Thankfully, the homeowner walked into the garage and noticed this snake stuck in a blue trap. Marissa was able to carefully free the little snake and release it elsewhere unharmed.
A large Western Diamondback Rattlesnake that had found a space int he foundation of this home to spend the winter. Bryce found a better spot for it.
Brent from our rattlesnake fence installation team walked past this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake numerous times before spotting her. Bryce went out to get it and Jill released it. Perfect timing for that snake fence!
A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake found in a Tucson backyard. Unfortunately, this snake had bitten the dog before being discovered – thankfully the dog will recover fully, and the snake was taken elsewhere.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake as found in a Scottsdale backyard.
This was a fun one. Kyle was called out to find this Western Diamondback Rattlesnake joyriding a homeowner’s Can-Am.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake ended up with its head stuck in duct tape. Dave and Nikolous were able to carefully free it and release without any harm done to anyone involved.
CJ picked up this little Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in late November on a patio in Scottsdale. Most of the rattlesnakes we are catching now, in late January, have been at the homes where they’re found since at least then. It was relocated to a suitable replacement hibernacula.
This Western Diamondback Rattlesnake was found hibernating in a mini-fridge in Waddell. It was relocated to a better spot to finish up its winter.
A call to our hotline for a baby rattlesnake ended up as a small Desert Nightsnake. These harmless worm-sized snakes are often found inside homes throughout the year, and are perfectly harmless. CJ released it to a better spot to spend the winter.
Do you see it? Recent rain has forced some rattlesnakes to escape their preferred sites and left with less than ideal hiding spots.
