Each year, Fountain Hills Rural/Metro Fire Department receives hundreds of calls for snake removals and, as the weather warms up, the snakes are becoming more prevalent. On Friday, March 22, firefighters responded to a snakebite to an 87-year-old woman in Fountain Hills. She was later identified as Ava Arpaio, the wife of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

“We recognize that a rattlesnake, or other poisonous reptile, that is seeking shelter in your home poses a serious risk to you and your pets,” Fountain Hills Rural Metro Assistant Fire Chief Jason Payne said. “Snakes have been here longer then we have, and we need to respect the role they have in the environment.”

Snakes will seek out warm areas like driveways, pool decks and sidewalks when they are cold and cool places like garages when they are hot.

Snakes are just as afraid of us as we are of them, Payne said, and they do not know they are entering our homes, yards or brush.

“This month, we expect a high volume of snake removal calls as soon as the outside temperatures reach 80 degrees consistently,” Payne said. “Across Arizona snakes emerged from their dens in search of the warm rays of the sun, and they can be grumpy.”

Here is what residents of Fountain Hills should consider before calling the Fire Department for a snake removal.

*Snakes are not bad. In fact, snakes have an important role in the ecosystem. It is important to remember that a snake that is seen in the desert does not warrant a call for removal. In fact, many people will allow non-venomous snakes to stay around their home to keep away rodents and make the site less inviting to rattlesnakes.

*However, you should call the Fire Department immediately if a rattlesnake is in your garage, inside your home, or on your patio. If you or your family members or pets are in immediate danger, call 911.

Here are important things to remember in the unlikely case of a snake bite. Remain calm; an increase in the heart rate will increase the spread of toxic venom throughout the body.

Call 911 immediately and seek emergency treatment.

Do not attempt to cut out the venom with a knife and do not try to suck the venom from a snake bite. This does not work, and can increase anxiety and create additional problems. Do not do what they do in the movies.

Do not worry about capturing or killing the snake; call 911 and let the fire department handle the rest.