How about this unbelievable weather? Life just seems a little better with beautiful days that are conducive to outdoor activities like picnics, hiking, and golf... and evenings are so nice that it's easy to forget about the long torrid summer.

Critters and Cooler Temperatures: Unlike people, however, our local critters that slither and crawl are not overjoyed with the cooler nights and typically seek warmth for comfort. Their favorite warming spots are indoors, particularly in residences where access can often be easy because of unprotected entry points around the structure's perimeter. I'm not trying to insult the integrity of your home, but these entry points are tiny and easy for critters to exploit while being extremely hard for an untrained human eye to see.

Keep Critters Out of Your Home: If any entry points are present they should be professionally sealed to prevent the critters from using them for access to your home's interior. This year we're offering to thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home to determine whether there are open points of entry at NO COST. Following the inspection we will advise you of our findings along with recommendations and a quote for sealing services if appropriate. The cost varies because each home is uniquely different. Call our office at 480.473.2264 or text me at 602.550.7373 with any questions and to schedule an appointment.

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnake activity picks up in the cooler weather and as you enjoy the outdoors more often be alert for them because they'll bite in any season. Remember, a baby rattlesnake does not have a rattle but its venom is just as dangerous as that of older snakes so don't make nice to little ones. Some basic precautions to take are as follows:

• Pay attention to where you step when hiking
• Wear closed toe shoes when going for a walk
• Carefully check foliage and bushes when gardening or looking for golf balls
• Never handle a snake - whether it's dead or alive

Symptoms of Rattlesnake Bites:

• Small scratch or fang mark
• Pain in the affected area generally accompanied by various degrees of swelling, bruising, and sometimes bleeding
• Possible toxicity and closure of airways

Rattlesnake Bites are Typically Not Deadly:

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports fewer than ten deaths annually from rattlesnake bites in the country. Death is possible, however, and can occur within one hour after the bite. In addition, it's not uncommon to experience severe injury and potentially long term complications from a bite.

Bites can be more severe and serious to children who have less muscle mass and volume than adults. While a bite to an adult can cause severe damage to a leg, it can likewise affect a child's entire body.

Treating Rattlesnake Bites

Rattlesnake bites cause a traumatic injury to humans and should always be treated by a physician with specialized training in toxicology. The only effective treatment is rattlesnake antivenom and the majority of Arizona hospitals and emergency departments have it in stock. Hopefully you'll never need this, but Arizona has two poison centers that are nationally known for their expertise in treating rattlesnake bites.

If a rattlesnake bites you get to a hospital or ER immediately. If you're in a remote area stay calm and get to one of these facilities ASAP and call 911. Since the majority of bites are non-lethal you should have sufficient time to get help. DO NOT do any of the following to the bite site:

• Cut it
• Ice it
• Tie a rope around it

Stay calm, seek help immediately, and remove any rings or ligatures before swelling begins.

If you see a rattlesnake in your yard leave it alone. Call a trained professional or your local Fire Department.

Be safe this Halloween and watch those irresistible sweets.

We appreciate your business and will never take it for granted.

Sincerely,

Bret