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Warm weather and recent heavy rains means snakes are out and about

ATLANTA — The heat and humidity of a metro Atlanta summer always means an long list of insects and things that you need to be on the lookout for.

Exterminators and those who eradicate animals say make sure you keep snakes on that list.

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Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon spoke to both runners and exterminators to help make sure we’re all aware that snake are out there too.

Didi Pace is an avid runner who frequents the Atlanta Beltline. Pace says she wants no part of seeing a snake while out for a run.

“I hope they don’t start creeping out onto the sidewalks,” Pace said. “I usually don’t look for them as I frequently just travel the Beltline since it’s paved.”

Senior Service Manager for Arrow Exterminators Jamie Nichols said snakes like the warmer weather, the heavy rains of the past couple of weeks have helped drive them out of the ground.

“Anywhere from like the 70 to mid 90 degree range is usually kind of the hot time for these guys,” Nichols said. “The warmer nights get them out and get them moving.”

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Nichols said you might see them sunning at certain times of the day on the concrete or a low deck. Snakes he said, will almost always be found close to a food source. Those sources could be right in your backyard.

“With the increased rain, it is going to increase the activity,” said Nichols. “They’re going to be out and about, maybe looking for a new home. It could be wood piles, holes in the ground inside the woods and underneath driveways and slabs.”

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Deon asked Nichols about the risk of leaving out things like bird food. Even something that simple is enough to bring a snake close.

“If you are seeing insect issues at your home or rodent issues at your home, that’s the food source for snakes, that’s what is going to kind of bring them in,” Nichols said. “Bird feeders attract snakes at night when other rodents are feeding them. Try to move those away from your home.”

Pace says she wants nothing to do with snakes. At all.

“Snakes. Creepy, crawly. I would rather not see one, touch one or have any interaction,” Pace said.

Nichols said if you encounter a snake it’s best to stay back and let them be. Especially if they are vibrant and colorful because that could indicate it’s venomous. The snakes will be out enjoying the warmer weather at least until late September or October when the temperatures begin to cool, they become less active.