Margaret Holm
The cool nights of September and the time of autumn harvest is also the period when snakes begin to make their way back to winter dens. September and October, along with May, are the months when snakes are most often encountered in orchards and vineyards as they travel between their dens and feeding habitat. All summer they have been helping to keep the mouse and pocket gopher populations down and hopefully staying out of the way of farm vehicles and people.
The Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) regularly hosts “Snake Smart” field safety workshops in the spring and fall to help agricultural workers manage snakes. Rattlesnakes as well as the similar looking Gopher Snake (bull snake) sometimes live in or travel through orchards and vineyards and farms. Depending on the attitude of managers and employees, this can result in frightened employees, frayed nerves and dead snakes, but with proper training and preparation, relocating snakes can be safe and easy.
Check out the snake relocation, snake identification and safety pamphlets that can be downloaded at www.osca.org, on the “Living with wildlife-snakes” pages.
The free brochures are offered in several languages. Proper equipment and employee training is recommended before relocating rattlesnakes. A snake hook or snake tongs are available at www.tongs.com. A rake handle or broom can also be used, but be gentle since snakes are easily injured. A tall plastic garbage bin with handles and a secure lid is the best container to put snakes into when you want to remove them from areas where people are working. Although rattlesnakes are B.C.’s only venomous snake, other snakes can bite if not handled correctly.
The BC Wildlife Act prevents killing or capturing most wildlife, including snakes, without a permit. Conservation Officers realize that agricultural producers, from time to time, may have to move snakes for public safety as well as the snake’s safety. Most snakes don’t need to be moved as they will quickly go on their way, but sometimes snakes hang out near work areas or get trapped in buildings. In these cases, snakes should be moved to the closest area of natural habitat where a den might be located and away from any roads.
Snakes return to the same dens each year, so if they are let go far away from their capture area they will likely not survive the winter.
Avoid surprise encounters with snakes by never putting your hands where you cannot see what’s underneath. Irrigation valve boxes, pallets, and bins are ideal places for a snake to hide. If you ever hear the buzzing of a rattlesnake’s tail, stop and find out where it is located. The rattle is a sign that the snake feels threatened so assess whether to remain motionless or slowly move away. Never attempt to pick up or move a rattlesnake with your hands. (This might seem obvious, but every year people get bitten doing this.)
Lastly, if you are a farm or vineyard manager on a property that snakes frequent, consider setting up snake hiding areas away from work areas. A strategically located rock pile or clearly marked snake cover board can provide a safe spot for snakes to hide during the day. Out of ten snake species found in British Columbia, one half are either endangered, threatened or of special concern. They need our help and consideration in continuing to play a helpful role in agriculture as significant rodent predators.