For people who live in tropical countries, snakes are a common hazard. Almost everyone has personal experience of encountering a snake, and all too often the meeting takes places within the home. Many snakes love to find a cool, quiet corner in which to rest, and your house can represent the ideal spot. For this reason, it is useful to know what to do when you find a snake lurking in your house and need to safely remove it from the premises. This essay will explain the basic steps involved in maintaining a snake-free residence.
First of all, it is very important to be correctly dressed and equipped for the task of removing the snake. Experts recommend that you wear a pair of stout shoes and thick woolen socks, ideally with a pair of long trousers of a material strong enough to resist snake bites. It is a good idea to tuck the trousers into your socks for added security. A pair of thick leather gloves will protect your hands, while a pair of ski goggles provides a barrier against the venom of spitting cobras and will complete the ensemble.
Once suitably attired, you will also need a brush. Depending upon the size of the snake, which is always a critical consideration, the “witch’s broomstick” is often the most effective implement. A long handle is the key component, since this serves to place extra distance between you and the snake while simultaneously increasing the leverage. However, you should take care that the brush handle is not too long because this adds weight to the brush and can make it very difficult to generate the optimum brush-head speed which is essential in getting the snake moving towards the exit.
When you are ready, the next step is to approach the snake. Do so quietly and calmly, using smooth and controlled movements so as not to alarm the reptile. Hold the brush at arm’s length in front of you, and try to remain lightly balanced on the balls of your feet. This will ensure that you are able to react swiftly to any sudden aggression from the snake with a firm defensive prod. Assuming, however, that the snake does not seek to engage in combat, you must then position yourself so that the snake has a clear and unimpeded path to the nearest exit. Then, from a position behind the snake, softly place the brush-head close to the mid-section of the snake, and then use your wrists to flick the snake firmly towards the open door. It is now imperative that you keep the snake in motion. In no circumstances should you allow it the chance to get its bearings, or, worse, to stage a counter-attack. As soon as the snake passes through the doorway, close and bolt the door, and secure the windows so that it cannot return.
You have now successfully removed the snake from your house, thereby ensuring the safety of your family. If you memorize these simple steps, you will be well-prepared to take appropriate action any time you find a snake trying to make itself at home in your place of residence, and you will no longer have any need to fear living in the tropics.