Killing snakes? That could cause more venomous ones to slither in your yard

ATLANTA — The number of snake bites this year has dramatically increased, but wildlife experts say people are killing snakes when they shouldn't be.

On Monday, Channel 2's Craig Lucie met up with one of those experts to show you the difference between a good snake and a venomous one, and why you shouldn't kill them.

Matthew Field is the owner of All Wildlife Control, and he told Lucie he hasn’t had a day off in three years.

“How busy have you been?” Lucie asked.

“It’s call after call after call, must refer out,” Field said.

Many of those snake calls come from people reporting they have a copperhead in their yard. However, Field said that's not actually the case most of the time.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Falcons honor Mike Vick, Roddy White
• Rainbow crosswalk to be permanent to support Atlanta's LGBTQ community
• 2 shot at apartment complex leasing office

People are also killing king snakes which eat copperheads.

“The other big enemy of a copperhead is a king snake so if killing king snakes not only leave rats you are leaving copperheads,” Field said.

Field said the best way to avoid getting bitten is to run your weed eater or lawn mower an hour before you do yard work.

“I think it's lack of education,” Field said.

Field says you have a choice, “Your choice is rats or copperheads you must make a choice.”

If you spot one, call a wildlife expert because it should be removed and where there's one, there are more copperheads.

If you do kill it, do not touch it, because its head can become an involuntary muscle and still bite you or your dog.

Cox Media Group