Snakes are on the prowl; how to avoid being bitten and how to treat snakebites
- Charles Reams
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Nineteen patients in the Upstate this year have been treated for venomous snakebites, says Dr. Nathaniel Mann of Prisma Hospital.
Mann said the most envenomations came through Greenville Memorial Hospital although Oconee County is anticipated to have the highest number of envenomations this year.
Most venomous snakebites in the country are caused by rattlesnakes, according to John Hopkins Medicine. A smaller number of snakebites are caused by coral snakes and imported exotic snakes. Other native snakes in the U.S. do not carry venom.How to Treat Snakebites until You Can Get to ER
Try to stay calm when bitten, immobilize the affected area, and seek medical attention at once; avoid applying a tourniquet, ice, or attempting to remove venom. Leave the rest to the professionals.
Prevention is Better than a Cure
It may be of little consolation to know that the snakes are not primarily looking for you. They seek yards that have an abundance of prey like rodents, insects and water in ponds and puddles. They easily hide in tall grass, woodpiles and rocks.
Oconee resident, Amanda Rossman, is recovering nicely from a copperhead bite recently. She was promptly treated and released from Prisma Hospital, but she is still having trouble walking on an injured leg, she said.
Sidewalk night lights are helpful to see slithering critters at night. Many such lights are solar-powered and require little if any maintenance.
There area several methods to deter snakes from your yard, including keeping the yard tidy, using snake-repellent plants, and employing non-toxic repellents. Maintaining a clean and uncluttered yard with short grass, removing potential hiding spots, and sealing entry points into buildings are crucial first steps. Certain plants like marigolds, garlic, and onions naturally repel snakes. Additionally, ammonia, vinegar, and cinnamon oils and other essential oils are sustainable repellents.
Be alert to learn from neighbors, friends and relatives. We visited one acquaintance who was busy gardening with an appropriate cool head-to-toe outfit for such hot weather and knee-high boots to guard against snakebites.
That is safer than wearing flip-flops for mowing the lawn and riding a motorcycle. How gratifying that ladys can also be smart, alert and practice self-preservation.
Please send me your best practices for avoiding snakebites. Send your comments to
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