Recently, at an inspection in Selbyville, Delaware, while I was inspecting a water bib hose, I stumbled upon this snake very close by my feet. At first I thought it might have been a copperhead snake, but in looking closer and studying snakes in this area, it may have been a rattlesnake or an Eastern Hognose snake. (If you can identify it, please feel free to email or call me directly!)
The reason I have chosen to write about this incident is because safety is always our highest priority for our clients and I felt compelled to share it with you. If you are like me, I could not immediately identify the species, but knew by the hissing sound that I may be in danger. Luckily, the home owner called a neighbor after the Humane Society could not immediately help out, and the neighbor (a retired firefighter) was comfortable handling the situation.
While one can never fully prevent wildlife from making their homes near and around a home, we can do more to learn about these creatures and ascertain if they are harmful or harmless (see the links below). Either way, knowing what to do to protect yourself and the snake is important if this situation arises for you.
As you spend more time outdoors with the warmer weather, please be careful as wildlife are also enjoying the outdoors! Keeping your grass cut regularly, and not letting it become overgrown may also help. Grounds maintenance is not always considered a safety issue in maintaining your home. Luckily, this encounter turned out fine, however, we felt it was necessary to share this with you.
For more information about snakes in Sussex County, Delaware and snake bite protection, here are some resources.
Thank you,
Joseph S. Cusumano, Owner
Bayside Home Inspections, LLC
https://sites.udel.edu/dct/2019/07/25/snake-safety/
