Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006270306
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Philip K. Blevins
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
However, most snakes not only are harmless to man but actually are beneficial, since their diet consists of rodents, insects and even other snakes.
There are 33 non-poisonous kinds of snakes in Virginia. The copperhead and timber rattlesnake are the only two poisonous snakes found in the New River Valley.
If you find either one of these, there is cause for alarm but not panic.
Being able to distinguish the poisonous from the non-poisonous is necessary when deciding what to do when you meet up with one, especially if you are bitten.
To some people, all snakes look poisonous.
Virginia's poisonous snakes all possess a heat-sensing pit below the midpoint between the eye and nostril on each side of the head (thus the designation "pit viper"). Non-poisonous snakes lack this.
The poisonous ones have a single row of scales going clear across the underside of the forward part of the tail. Non-poisonous snakes have two rows the length of the tail.
Poisonous snakes have a vertically elliptical pupil; the non-poisonous ones have a round pupil.
The rattlesnake is distinguished by its rattlers.
The copperhead has hourglass patterns of dark or reddish brown on a background of light brown to reddish gray with a copper colored head.
Use these characteristics as a general rule.
Never handle a snake unless you are positive what it is. (You probably practice that already.)
A lot more could be said about snakes, but remember these points:
Avoid killing non-poisonous snakes.
Snakes are attracted to their food, so keep the area around your home tidy to hold down rodent population.
There are no chemical snake repellants or controls.
Make sure all openings into your house are screened or sealed to keep them out.
If you are bitten, don't panic. If you are close to transportation, get to a doctor immediately. If you are the outdoors type, carry the necessary equipment and know how to deal with a bite.
Warn children to leave those pretty little snakes alone.
This weed killed Socrates
If you've driven around the area much lately, you've probably seen or smelled a weed called poison hemlock. If you check around, it's probably growing on your land.
The plant grows up to nine feet tall, has a purple spotted stem, a bloom and leaves that resemble Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot), and smells lot like an old hound dog (to me anyhow). This is the one that killed Socrates.
This weed is becoming a major crop and pasture pest in our area.
While it can be killed this time of year with herbicide, early control is easiest.
A spray of 2,4-D when it is in the rosette stage around February is easiest and best.
by CNB