As housing spreads deeper into the Arizona desert, encounters between humans and rattlesnakes are rising but not everyone reaches for a shovel. A growing number of residents are calling specialists like Bryan Hughes and his team at Rattlesnake Solutions, who are on a mission to save snakes, protect people, and promote coexistence.
A Dangerous Visitor on the Patio
When Christa Reinach spotted a three-foot rattlesnake on her patio in Rio Verde Foothills, she knew exactly what to do. She phoned Rattlesnake Solutions, a local firm dedicated to relocating snakes humanely. Within minutes, a handler arrived, used long tongs to secure the animal, and placed it into a ventilated container for relocation. The snake was released back into the desert far from patios, pets, or people.
“I really don’t believe in killing anything when it is just out of place,” says Reinach. Her dogs were safely inside, but her horses prone to investigating with their noses were more vulnerable. A bite could swell their nasal passages, potentially suffocating them.
Rising Encounters in a Changing Landscape
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7,000–8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes annually, with rattlesnakes leading the list of identified culprits. The number of bites is expected to grow as property development and climate change alter snake habitats. Snakes now seek refuge in artificially watered gardens or under decorative rock piles both common in new desert housing estates.
Hughes, founder of Rattlesnake Solutions, says developers often make the same mistakes: planting lush greenery that attracts prey and predators alike. Combined with warmer temperatures, this trend increases the likelihood of rattlesnake encounters and bites.
Not Villains, But Vital Predators
Despite their fearsome reputation, rattlesnakes are vital to ecosystems. They control rodent populations, which helps farmers and reduces the spread of disease. They may even contribute to seed dispersal by eating rodents that carry seeds and excreting them elsewhere.
Some species, like the eastern diamondback and Arizona black rattlesnake, are already in decline due to habitat loss. A 2022 study predicted that 71% of rattlesnake species in the US will lose habitable range by 2040 due to rising temperatures. Simply killing them off risks further ecological imbalance.
A New Model for Coexistence
Rattlesnake Solutions offers more than snake removal. Their experts educate homeowners about species identification, snake behavior, and prevention. They even offer physical deterrents like rattlesnake-proof fencing, partially buried to stop snakes from entering yards.
Each relocation costs around $150 and takes about two hours. Since its founding, the company has moved more than 20,000 snakes. The key, says Hughes, isn’t just removing the snake it’s ensuring its survival in a new location. “We need to find the right hole in the ground to put the snake in, or it will die.”
Changing the Narrative
Public perception remains one of the biggest hurdles. Hughes remembers falling in love with snakes as a child after holding a colorful kingsnake. Today, he uses every rescue as an opportunity to shift how people think about snakes not as evil invaders, but misunderstood neighbors.
“You’re supposed to hate these things, you’re supposed to kill these things – well, I don’t,” Hughes says. “I want to save them.”
Snake Safety: What You Can Do
- Keep pets indoors or supervised, especially in spring and summer when snakes are most active.
- Avoid planting moisture-heavy shrubs and dense ground cover near entrances and patios.
- Remove clutter like wood piles or decorative boulders where snakes might hide.
- Install rattlesnake fencing if you live near desert terrain.
- Call a professional if you spot a snake don’t attempt removal yourself.
Learning to Live Together
Experts like Dr. Emily Taylor from Cal Poly, who also volunteers to relocate native snakes in California, agree that education is key. “Rattlesnakes and people can coexist,” she says, noting that responsible development and informed residents are crucial to safer neighborhoods for both species.
Back in Arizona, Reinach is already prepared for the next spring mating season. “We live in the desert,” she says. “The snakes are just part of that ecology.”
With help from snake-savvy rescuers, that coexistence might not just be possible it could be the future of conservation in urbanizing wildlands.
