Tel Aviv is a vibrant city full of life movement people families businesses parks beaches and more but even in a fast-paced modern city like Tel Aviv nature always finds its way back in between the buildings in the shaded corners of gardens near trash bins around neglected warehouses or even in perfectly maintained homes there’s always a possibility that nature shows up unexpectedly and when it does one of the most startling visitors you may encounter is a snake
A snake sighting in Tel Aviv may seem unusual to many but it happens more often than people think snakes are not limited to rural areas or forests and they do not check Google Maps to see where city boundaries begin if your property offers them shelter shade water and maybe a mouse or two they’re in they don’t care if your building is new or old if you live near Rothschild Boulevard or in a quiet street in Neve Tzedek once they find what they need they’ll stay and that’s when a snake catcher becomes your most important contact
Tel Aviv has a surprising amount of green spaces wild areas and even patches of unmaintained land that provide the perfect conditions for reptiles from public parks like Yarkon Park to the many gardens around private homes schoolyards and alleyways snakes are quietly slithering through the undergrowth looking for food water and hiding spots
The combination of dense human population and the micro-habitats that develop around buildings trash areas and even air conditioner drainage pipes creates a welcoming environment for rodents insects and consequently snakes the city’s warm weather and long summer season also mean extended periods of snake activity especially from spring through late autumn
It is important to remember that snakes don’t go looking for trouble they are not aggressive by nature and most of the time they simply want to be left alone the problem begins when they enter human spaces whether it’s a child’s sandbox a small storage shed a basement or even an elevator shaft in every one of these cases calling a professional snake catcher in Tel Aviv is the safest smartest and only legal option
A licensed snake catcher in Tel Aviv does more than just catch snakes he first calms the situation identifies the species evaluates the level of risk and only then begins the capture process using specialized tools calm movement and knowledge of snake behavior this professional will locate the snake assess its route of escape and make sure it’s removed without harming it or anyone around
The job does not end once the snake is caught a good snake catcher also inspects the area advises on how the snake got in and helps prevent future incidents this includes checking fences under-house gaps storage units plumbing systems and any overgrown plants or trash that may have provided shelter and food to unwanted reptiles
In Israel snake catchers must be certified by the Nature and Parks Authority and must follow legal and ethical rules regarding animal safety they are required to release the snake back into the wild in a safe distant and approved location which means not in your neighbor’s yard and not behind the nearby school
First and foremost do not try to handle the situation yourself do not try to catch the snake with a broom trap it under a bucket or chase it around with a stick these actions will stress the snake make it more aggressive or cause it to flee into a hidden area making removal much more difficult and dangerous
Instead keep a safe distance do not take your eyes off the snake if possible remove pets and children from the area close doors to contain its movement and immediately call a professional snake catcher in Tel Aviv who can arrive quickly and take control of the situation
Avoid searching online for pictures to identify the snake you may confuse a harmless one with a venomous species and make the wrong call every year people are bitten not because of the snake’s aggressiveness but because of human overconfidence and poor decision making
You might think that snakes only enter houses near nature reserves but in reality snake sightings happen across the entire city including central areas high-rise buildings industrial zones and even luxury penthouses with rooftop gardens all it takes is an open vent a loose screen a forgotten hole in the fence or a plant box that offers enough shade
Properties most at risk are those with gardens sheds crawlspaces and outdoor water sources like irrigation or fountains also buildings with basements unused storage rooms or access to drainage areas are known to be common spots for snakes looking for a cool place to rest
Restaurants hotels and small businesses in Tel Aviv are also vulnerable due to trash accumulation outdoor sitting areas or deliveries that come in from semi-rural areas a snake in a restaurant’s storage room or behind a fridge can easily turn into a serious situation for staff and guests alike
If you own a restaurant cafe clinic kindergarten or shop in Tel Aviv you are not immune snakes can appear in your outdoor area or storage at any time and your responsibility is to act fast to avoid panic among clients or staff calling a professional snake catcher will not only remove the threat but also ensure discretion and calm
Many professional snake catchers work with businesses on a recurring basis offering seasonal inspections preventive treatments and emergency services some even include a full report that can be used for insurance purposes or for compliance with city health and safety regulations
If you operate in hospitality or education sectors having a snake catcher on call is just as important as having a plumber or an electrician ready to assist it’s not a question of if you’ll need them it’s when
Some of them are but most are not however only a trained eye can tell the difference Israel is home to more than forty types of snakes but only nine of them are venomous and the most common dangerous one you may encounter in urban areas is the Palestinian Viper also known as the Eretz Israel Viper
This snake can reach over a meter in length is relatively slow and prefers to flee but if cornered or threatened it can bite and its venom is potent enough to cause hospitalization or worse that said most snakes people encounter in Tel Aviv are non-venomous like the Coin-marked Snake the Montpellier Snake or even grass snakes which are completely harmless to humans
The issue is that unless you are a trained herpetologist you won’t be able to tell the difference so the best course of action is always the same never try to handle it on your own call an expert and let them assess the risk and take care of it professionally
When you call a snake catcher in Tel Aviv the clock starts ticking especially during warm seasons snakes do not stay in one place for long they may hide under something climb into a narrow space or even slip into a neighboring apartment the faster the catcher arrives the better the chances of locating the snake and removing it without damage or escalation
Reliable snake catchers usually operate 24/7 and understand the urgency of each case many of them are familiar with every neighborhood and can reach you within minutes whether you’re in Florentin in Ramat Aviv in the Old North or near Jaffa
A true professional will speak to you calmly give you exact instructions on what to do while you wait and arrive with all the equipment needed including safety gloves snake hooks flashlight containers and most importantly the right attitude
After catching a snake a responsible professional will walk you through what might have led to the incident they might point out tall grass bushes that need trimming holes in the wall or forgotten corners that collect moisture and attract prey like rodents
Prevention includes keeping your property clean and sealed making sure trash is removed regularly screens are intact and potential nesting areas are removed or exposed deterrents such as specific oils or devices can be used but they are never a replacement for basic maintenance and professional advice
Some catchers also offer periodic inspection services especially for people who live near open fields the Yarkon Park southern industrial zones or the edge of the city where urban areas meet nature
Not all pest control companies are trained or licensed to deal with snakes many of them focus on insects rodents and spraying services which are not effective against reptiles snake catching is a specialized field that requires government certification knowledge of behavior and proper handling techniques
A snake catcher doesn’t use poison doesn’t spray and doesn’t leave traps instead he arrives with purpose patience and precision and walks away with a living animal safely removed from your home or business it is a unique and essential service in any city where nature and humans coexist
A young couple in central Tel Aviv found a snake curled behind their washing machine late at night they were terrified and had no idea what to do they called a local snake catcher who arrived within twenty minutes identified the snake as non-venomous and removed it calmly they said they had never imagined this could happen in the middle of the city and were thankful for the quick and friendly response
A café owner near the Carmel Market called for help after staff saw a snake behind the outdoor bar counter the catcher arrived before the café opened handled the situation quietly and made sure the place was ready for customers by morning the owner added snake catching to their emergency contact list from that day
A family with children in northern Tel Aviv noticed their dog barking endlessly at the garden corner they didn’t see the snake but called anyway the professional arrived found a snake hiding in a drain pipe and removed it the parents said it was the best call they ever made and were amazed at how discreet and professional the service was
Whether you’re a homeowner a renter a business owner or simply someone who saw a suspicious slither across the sidewalk having the number of a reliable snake catcher in Tel Aviv can save you stress time and potential danger this is not a job for a friend or a neighbor this is a job for someone who knows exactly what they’re doing
Fast calm professional response can make the difference between a simple removal and a city-wide panic and most importantly it keeps everyone safe including the snake