The fear of snakes is called ophidiophobia. It is one of the most common phobias with about one in every three adults fearing snakes.1 Arizona is home to the most poisonous reptiles, including a dozen different species of rattlesnakes, of all the states in the U.S.2
It is upsetting to discover a snake in your home or on your property. The first rule is not to panic. Step away from the snake slowly, giving the snake plenty of space.
Assume that the snake can bite. While not all snakes are venomous, anything with a mouth can bite.
The next step you should take is to call a wildlife removal specialist.
What Snakes Do for Us
While many of us are afraid of snakes, they play a vital role in our ecosystem and should never be killed. Snakes eat rodents, insects and other animals and by doing so prevent the spread of disease, protect crops and maintain biodiversity.3
Rats and mice are responsible for many diseases including hantavirus, hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis, salmonellosis and even plague. Keeping rat and mice populations in check ensures that these diseases don’t proliferate.
In fact, the deadliest hantavirus outbreak in the U.S., dubbed the Four Corners Outbreak as it encompassed Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, was attributed to a warmer than usual winter and increased rainfall in the spring of 1993. Those conditions spurred the growth of vegetation which resulted in a 10-fold increase in deer mice.4
The increased number of deer mice resulted in more exposure for humans. Lyme disease is also less prevalent when the rat and mice population, who carry ticks, is reduced.
Other animals feed on snakes, so they serve as both predator and prey. Those that get their food from consuming snakes include hawks, eagles, owls, foxes, coyotes, and badgers.
What Snakes Do for Agriculture
In terms of crop protection, snakes serve a vital role in reducing the number of rats, mice and other pests who damage crops. Controlling these rodents and insects is then done without the use of harmful pesticides, which is better for the environment and saves money.
How Snakes Help Us Heal
Snakes are also beneficial to medicine. Snake venom is used in medical research and compounds derived from snake venom “have shown promise in treating cancer, heart disease and blood disorders”5 and are being studied for other potential therapeutic applications.
Trust Only the Best in Wildlife and Snake Removal Services
A wildlife removal service can safely remove a snake or family of snakes from your home or property and relocate them to an area where they can contribute to a biodiverse environment. They can also provide advice on ways to make your property less desirable for snakes.
Critter Evictors is a wildlife removal company in Scottsdale that will safely and humanely remove unwanted wildlife and critters from your home or property. If you suspect an infestation of any kind, we’ll promptly come out and conduct a Free Inspection and provide you with some removal options. Your Maricopa County home will be safe from problematic animals before you know it!
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1 Ophidiophobia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophidiophobia
2 Common Types of Snakes in Arizona
Link: https://www.reptilefact.com/arizona-snakes
3, 5 What are Snakes Good For? April 24, 2025
Link: https://enviroliteracy.org/animals/what-are-snakes-good-for/
4 1993 Four Corners Hantavirus Outbreak
Link: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Bats