May the Odds Be Ever in The Property Inspector’s Favor–Tips by Snake Guru LLC

Nick Massimo, MS

In order to be successful at this job, you need to be methodical and highly attentive to detail. On the average day, you’ll get dirty investigating areas of a property few others visit. It’s a big responsibility requiring accountability, professionalism and being mindful of hazards.

What career am I referring to specifically? A professional property inspector. Whether the building is residential or commercial, these folks are often in attics, crawlspaces and roofs among many hazardous places.

I own Snake Guru LLC, a wildlife control business where I specialize in working with snakes. Ironically, my job takes me to many of the same hazardous places as property inspectors.

1) WALK THE ‘ENLIGHTENED’ PATH

This sounds simple enough, but only place your hands and feet where you can clearly see.  If it’s dark, you need to stop, get a flashlight and illuminate the area before proceeding. Whether it’s a snake, low hanging nail, or broken flooring, every step needs to be taken carefully.

2) MASKS, BOOTIES & BODY SUITS, OH MY! 

Wearing the proper personal protective equipment (mask/respirator, TYVEX suit, booties, etc.) is extremely important for your own personal safety, but also that of your client(s). When entering a place like an attic or crawlspace, there’s no telling what microscopic hazards might be disturbed. If animal urine/feces are disturbed, there’s very serious risk of inhaling aerosolized viral or bacterial pathogens. Asbestos is another big concern in attics and crawlspaces. When inspecting an attic or crawlspace, make sure you ALWAYS put a mask on before even opening the door.

Before entering and immediately after exiting a potentially ‘dirty’ space, set up an area to contain any mess. Consider laying down a thin piece of plastic wrap to help quickly clean up any debris. It shows a high degree of professionalism to make these small changes to your standard operating procedures. It’s very easy to do and people will notice the extra effort!

Snake Guru LLC safely removed this black rat snake from the INSIDE of an oven control panel.

A notable fraction of my clients starts off as a human-wildlife conflict needing attention immediately. During my ‘standard’ workday, I’m often called to a scene where a snake has been observed at least once. This is where I get to put on my detective cap to figure out why a snake is occupying a place they aren’t frequently encountered.

Regardless of whether you’re the friendly neighborhood snake professional, a property inspector, or work in another related profession, Snake Guru, LLC wants you to stay as safe as possible by following these three tips.

3) SNAKE TRACKS

Animals may leave a variety of signs if they’ve recently been in the area. Footprints, scratch marks, hair, feathers, are all great examples. Snakes however, can’t leave any of those signs behind. Instead, the signs are a bit subtler. Snakes may leave a shed skin behind, feces or slide marks on the ground if you’re lucky! Don’t forget, even though snakes lack arms and legs, that doesn’t stop them from climbing up above eye level.  

Another thing to keep in mind, people often come across snakes in a building if there’s an existing rodent problem. If inspecting an area and you come across signs of rodents, be aware a snake may also be around looking for a meal.

VENOMOUS VERSUS NONVENOMOUS SNAKES

This may be the most important lesson from the entire article. No matter where you live in the world, people want a trick to help them identify if a snake should be considered a health threat. After studying snakes all over the world, Snake Guru has a very special trick to help you identify a venomous snake anywhere and not get bit.

Want to know our foolproof trick!? See a what you think is a snake? Back away slowly in the opposite direction. The best thing someone can do to try and protect themselves is NOT touch a snake. Slightly anticlimactic, and not necessarily a trick, but the mentality will surely keep you safe. All snakes should be considered dangerous unless you are one-hundred percent certain otherwise. 

If you’re bit by a snake, you should immediately notify call 911 to inform them your location and what happened. Leave the animal alone and don’t attempt to capture it. Consider taking a picture it you can do so safely. If possible, have another person drive you to the nearest emergency department. Prior to getting to the hospital, follow these steps:

  • Remain as calm as possible.

  • Remove belt & all jewelry (rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces, etc.)

  • Call your local Poison Control Center, 1-800-222-1222, en route to hospital.

VERY BAD IDEAS

  • DO NOT try and suck the venom out of the wound with your mouth.

  • DO NOT apply a tourniquet to the bite area.

  • DO NOT cover the bite area in ice.

  • DO NOT cut open the bite wound to try and get the venom out.

  • DO NOT attempt to catch the snake. Get to the hospital

 

The large majority of encounters with wildlife pass without any incident. Of the small fraction of human-wildlife encounters ending in conflict, many of them could be avoided had the person known highly specialized business exist striving to turn conflict into conservation.

Snake Guru, LLC specializes in providing 24-hour snake removal, fencing and prevention services in the Greater Phoenix area. We use these opportunities to catalyze a more informed understanding of how to live alongside wildlife, and prevent future incidents. If faced with a human-wildlife conflict in another area, consider searching our list of certified, licensed colleagues across the country, here!