Banner Poison Control Center
Prevention Guide
24-hour phone: 800-222-1222

What can you do?
First, learn about the creatures in your area that can bite or sting. Next, understand what you can do to avoid a problem. Last, know what to do and whom to call if you get bitten or stung.

Things you can do to prevent a venomous bite or sting around your home:

• Remove litter, wood, paper, logs and debris from your yard.
• Wear heavy work gloves when working outside around your yard.
• Keep your doors and windows tight fitting with good weather stripping.
• Make sure that other openings (such as where air conditioning, swamp coolers or exhaust fans enter your house) are closed, sealed or fitted with a fine mesh screen.
• Fill all cracks in the foundation of your house and around all water faucets.
• Look before you place your hand under or into something.
• Make periodic checks for bee hives or swarms; if found, have them immediately removed by pest control experts. Do not try to remove or burn them out yourself.
• Be very careful when operating equipment (lawnmowers, chain saws, weed eaters, etc.) that produces sound vibrations that may disturb a beehive or wasp nest.
• Examine all outside, line-dried clothing prior to bringing them inside the house.
• Do not leave shoes, boots, clothing items and towels outdoors.
• Wear shoes when outdoors, especially around the pool at night.

For help in removing snakes from your property, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 602-942-3000.