WJXT (Jacksonville, Florida) 28 September 09 Snakes Invade Mandarin Neighborhood - Residents Say They Routinely Kill Intruding Snakes

Jacksonville, Fla.: Neighbors across one Mandarin community are all talking about one thing -- their run-ins with snakes.

Dozens of water moccassins and cottonmouths have moved into the neighborhood, and many residents said the safety of their children and pets are at risk.

"It was laying right there," resident Mary Vansag said. "There were five or six on either side of the gutters, like in a monster movie."

Some residents said they routinely kill intruding snakes.

Bill Richard has been keeping count. He claims 19 kills, including one last week, two days after his dog Snowflake was bitten by a water moccasin.

"Every couple days, there's at least a baby out back," Richard said. "Nothing can work. Moth balls or anything."

The neighbors believe it all started when construction began to widen an off-ramp from Interstate 295 to Old St. Augustine Road, disturbing the snakes' habitat.

Residents said their lives have been affected ever since.

"You can't just go out and play in the yard," resident Ray Lawlor said. "I've chased a lot of kids away from the pond or I'd feel guilty."

Now they're looking for help.

"I know it's the responsibility of the homeowner, but that's a lot of wetlands," one resident said. "We're not going to chase them in there, so how do you maintain?"
Snakes Invade Mandarin Neighborhood

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