By
Linda Breazeale MISSISSIPPI
STATE -- High waters from Hurricane Katrina will drive
snakes, rodents and fire ants into areas they may not
venture normally, such as homes and storage
buildings. Bill
Maily, area wildlife agent with Mississippi State
University's Extension Service, said any time a building has
been flooded, people should enter it with extra
caution. "Snakes
and mice or rats are just like people; they will seek
shelter from a storm," Maily said. "If they are in flowing
water and encounter a tree or structure, they'll likely
climb up for a dry spot. If they find a house, they may go
up to an open area under the eaves." When
flood waters recede, Maily urged extreme caution inside
closets, on bookcases, under furniture or any place elusive
creatures might hide. There may be an increase in snakes and
rodents outside homes near piles of debris, around stalled
automobiles, near or inside outbuildings or any area that
offers shelter. "If a
snake is in a house, I suggest homeowners get glue boards
that they can put down on top of sheets to catch the snake,"
Maily said. After
capturing a snake on a glue board, roll up the sheet to
carry the snake outside for release. Vegetable oil will
counteract the adhesive. In some areas, animal control
officers may be available to assist. Ben
West, assistant wildlife professor at MSU, said if
homeowners are controlling rodents in the home, snakes will
not remain for long. They will leave in search of other
food. "Flood
conditions can cause new infestations of insects, rodents,
snakes and other pests that can cause health problems for
humans and livestock," West said. "Use flashlights to
inspect closets, basements, storage areas, bins and shelves
with extra caution. It's as important to avoid rat bites as
you would want to avoid snake bites." West
said snakes can only strike within two-thirds the length of
their body, so a 3-foot snake could reach up to 2 feet away.
A person who is bitten should try to look for
characteristics to determine the type of snake it is.
Venomous snakes will leave two distinct puncture wounds, and
nonvenomous snakes may leave marks more like scratches.
"Victims
of venomous snake bites should try to get to the hospital as
soon as possible. If you are not close to a hospital, wrap a
constricting band between the bite area and the heart to
slow down, but not stop, the blood flow. Do not apply a
tight tourniquet," West said. "In general, it's better not
to waste time with first aid; just head to the
hospital." Rodents
can be eliminated by trapping or poisoning. The
anticoagulant poisons (warfarin, pival, fumarin and
diphacinone) require at least four days of successive
feeding before the rats begin to die. Rats will continue to
die for two weeks or longer after consuming bait. "Insects
such as flies and mosquitoes can multiply at alarming rates
after torrential rains, so people should be aggressive in
removing standing puddles and containers filled with water.
Appropriately dispose of garbage and animal carcasses," West
said. "Repair or replace screens, windows, doors and vents
as soon as possible." As
cleanup activities take place, people are likely to
encounter aggressive beds of fire ants outside and on
occasions inside. Invasions of buildings and vehicles may
occur during periods of heavy precipitation and
flooding. Mike
Williams, Extension entomologist, said fire ants will form
into a massive floating ball of ants around the queen to
protect her during floods, which is one way mounds spread.
"That
ball will float until it finds a dry place, usually the
ground. Ants once burrowed deep in the ground will come to
the surface during rains. Each rain shower triggers a mating
opportunity for the queen to emerge and form a new mound,"
Williams said. "Any time you have a rain event in the
summer, you'll have an increase in mounds." Children
may be at an increased risk of encountering these aggressive
ants in the first weeks after Hurricane Katrina. -30- Released:
Sept. 1, 2005
Family,
Youth & Consumer News
Home
invasions...
Flood waters
displace snakes, rodents, ants
Contact: Bill Maily, (601) 372-4651 or Dr. Ben West, (662)
325-3177
Visit: DAFVM
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Last Modified: Friday, 19-Dec-08 10:29:10
URL: http://msucares.com/news/print/fcenews/fce05/050901snakes.html
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