As temperatures rise in ANTALYA, snakes are being seen more frequently in areas close to rural regions, with the fire department receiving up to 10 reports a day. Fire crews, noting that snakes can enter homes through drains and open areas, warned residents to maintain environmental cleanliness and use screens on ground-level windows.
With rising air temperatures, snakes have begun to appear more frequently in residential areas. Especially in regions close to rural areas, snakes entering homes are caught by fire department teams and released back into nature. Fire crews emphasize that environmental cleanliness is of great importance, noting that snakes can enter homes through drains and open areas. Keeping drains closed and using screens on ground-level windows are among the precautions that can be taken against snake incidents.
Selamettin Sağlam, Shift A Chief at Hürriyet Fire Station, part of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, stated that snake reports increase especially during periods of rising temperatures. Sağlam said, "We receive reports of snakes being seen in areas close to our city's rural regions, along retaining walls, in gardens, or inside detached houses. We evaluate these reports, remove the snakes from their locations without harming them, and try to release them back into nature. The number of reports varies from time to time. Sometimes, we can receive 10 cases in a single day. These cases are particularly concentrated in certain months. Towards September, October, November, and December, the number of cases decreases. In such incidents, it is very important for our personnel to use their personal protective equipment. We take the necessary precautions against the risk of animal bites."
Selamettin Sağlam emphasized the need for cleanliness around homes, stating, "Snakes generally prefer areas where accumulated items are stored around houses as shelter. As the fire department, we do not intervene in natural habitats within gardens. We only try to assist in cases that could endanger our citizens, especially those inside residences. It is important for our citizens to pay attention to environmental cleanliness, maintenance, and necessary precautions."
Sağlam also mentioned that citizens can make their homes safer through pest control, saying, "Sulfur is said to be effective. Additionally, support can be sought from professional pest control companies regarding which method would be more effective. Our municipality's pest control units can also be consulted. What we are referring to here is the pest control of residences and their immediate surroundings. For pest control of land or gardens, citizens need to take measures using their own means."
'WINDOWS SHOULD BE KEPT CLOSED WITH APPROPRIATE COVERING'
Selamettin Sağlam drew attention to points inside the house where snakes might be seen, stating, "Snakes can be seen on or under shoe racks, in bathrooms, and toilets. In ground-level and first-floor homes, snakes can enter through drains. These areas need to be kept closed. Precautions should also be taken against holes and openings that have a direct connection to the outside. Screens should be used on ground-level windows, or windows should be kept closed with an appropriate covering. These measures become even more important, especially in these months."