Better Wildlife Control owner Tracy Phillipi said he has captured 19 rattlesnakes on residents’ property in the Idyllwild-Pine Cove area this week. Five were caught Wednesday.
He said one was a speckled and the 18 others all Southern Pacifics, one of the most dangerously venomous snakes to humans and other animals in California.
Even more frightening is that six of the snakes were captured inside homes. Phillipi said they made their way over thresholds.
Asked what people can do to avoid being bitten by a snake, he said, “Look for sticks and twigs on the ground because if you’re doing that, you’re going to see a snake.”
The best thing to do to keep snakes out of your yard is to stack wood piles up off the ground from 6 inches to a foot, he said. And abate your property because they like to hide in ground cover.
Note: This story is developing.