I didn't know where to post this but I need some information. Here's the thing. I'm scared to death of snakes. I've got a real life phobia about them.
Saturday night I do to the bathroom downstairs, see a cricket and I grabbed the can of hairspray to spray him so he'd freeze in his tracks. When I went to put the can back in the closet the cap feel off and as I bent down to pick it up there was a snake. It was less than a foot long but still a SNAKE! I freaked out to say the least, beat myself up trying to get to my husband to wake him up to get it. I cannot bring myself to go back downstairs and am not a prisoner in my home. He got it and broke its neck but I'm still scared to death. Is any of you as scared of them as I am and have dealt with finding one? How do you get over it? I've got laundry I've love to do but have to go through the bathroom to get to the laundry room and when I think about it I break out in a major sweat and start shaking like a leaf. Please tell me how to deal with this.
I don't know how you can deal with it, but if you ever find a way to get over it, please let me know! I have the same fear but over insects. Any kind of insect comes any where near me and I completely freeze and get goosebumps and my heart starts racing. It's embarrasing too. Everyone tells me, it's just a bug, but it's not that simple for me. I KNOW it can't hurt me, but that doesn't make my reaction or the fear go away.
I get the same reaction to just a picture of an insect. I get shivers up my back and neck.
For me it was ants and then I got a job in an entomology lab! I worked with insects! what helped me was learning about them. Once I learned about ants and how they live and operate I was not so afraid of them. The same thing with snakes. I got out some books and then when I attended a State run snake workshop where the handler had live snakes and a very healthy and educated experiences to relate to how they operate around us, it put them in perspective for me. It was not a matter of liking them but getting them into the right place and proportion.
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Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
I'm not afraid of snakes either - I always wanted a particular one, but didn't like the idea of removing it from its natural habitat for my enjoyment. I do have a few other Phobia's that I have had to "learn" to deal with - mostly a height Phobia maybe it's really a landing Phobia (I'm never really quite certain), either way, Ellen is correct. You need to educate yourself on the snakes in your area first, then you can learn about snakes in areas you like to travel to. Another suggestion is having as many cracks, crevices, and holes in your house structure filled - if your home requires a baseline vent system have someone crawl under the house (after checking for the reptile(s)) and staple / caulk heavy mesh wiring around the vents. Place self made Guide posters around areas of your house to remind you of which type to be "okay" with and which ones to call in the professionals for - as killing some perpetrators can be a federal offense. Some states will fine or jail people for killing Rattlesnakes because of their impact on other desert creatures. Some states will fine or jail a person for killing a tarantula similar reason (those who live near San Dimeas (?), CA know this all to well - and they can get literally herds of them crossing the roads during summer months.
I understand it can be really rough to stay calm when one crosses / endures their phobia, but for safety sake (yours and the phobia's) a clear head and not one running around like the proverbial chicken will keep you alive longer... Another suggestion is talking with a counselor or therapist who can assist you in working through how your phobia was started, and how to get you to a point in your life where you are comfortable living without the fear of what's in the closet. Someone who can work you past the "What If's?" It won't happen over night, your initial phobia didn't so you need to be patient with yourself during the transition. One more piece of information... when you are busy working up your "what if fear" answer yourself with a different what if - I wasn't married, didn't have family to assist me, didn't live with this phobia... pretty soon you will learn that the "What If's" don't have to effect you in the negative ways it once did, because you will have educated yourself with valuable knowledge and practiced what to do if you only had you to rely on.
But by all means don't stop talking on here...
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The only way to get over a phobia is to face it! Go to a snake place with someone you trust, a friend or your partner. Tell yourself that you are OK. Tell yourself as often as you need to, this snake does not hold any power over you, and it is time to let this fear go. Ask your partner (who is not afraid) hold a snake for you to see and touch, if you want. You are an adult, who knows that snakes are a necessary part of nature, that EAT the vermin that CAN hurt you, and that you are OK. Keep telling yourself that, until it works!
You can net get totally over the phobia. However, find a good cognitive-behavior therapist in your area. He/she will have some techniques that will help you have a tolerable level of fear so that you won't be overwhelmed. Some say they do get over it through the techniques. It is worth a try.
Location: living where the air is pure in the mountains
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I'm also terrified of snakes, but living in the south you have to be careful. We have a wheelchair ramp for my mom and just about two hours ago my little dog Honeybear was barking like crazy and wouldn't stop. I went out and looked and sure enough there was a rattlesnake coming out from under the ramp his head was at least three inches around and that is all I saw of him. Have no idea where he went. But, I know for sure I'm buying a case of mothballs and spreading them around.
I don't like snakes small or large. Years ago there was one on my washer which was in our kitchen. I called my neighbor behind me who happened to be home. My hubby was in Nam so did next best thing. JD came running over stood by the washer few mins and it came back up over top of washer and tho' I ended up with dent in washer he killed the snake took it and buried it for me. If it had been close to garbage day he would have put it in plastic bag and in there . Did not know Moth Balls would keep them away thanks for tip
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Thought for the Day If you didn't start your day with a smile, its not too late to start practicing for tomorrow.~~~God Bless All
My DGD's hamster died last night. Probably from old age. Hamsters usually have a life span of 2 years. We got her about 1 1/2 or so years ago and no telling how old she was when we got her. My DGD now wants a guinea pig. I checked and they are nasty and poop and pee a lot each day and their cages need to be cleaned often. So, that is out, since I usually have to clean the cages. I hate to tell you this, but I am torn between a snake and a rat as a replacement pet. I am not afraid of either. Tarantulas and fly spiders terrify me and I have been told they do not bite and are good to have around--yeah, I don't care! lol
My DGD wants a guinea pig but talking to pet store and doing research, I learned they are nasty and poop and pee a LOT. So, no guinea pigs. I was told that rats are friendlier than these new breed hamsters. Snakes 'can' be friendly. So, I am on the fence about them. Some snakes do not like to be handled by humans and others learn to be handled. I am going to talk my DGD in to a rat as they are friendlier than hamsters and more cuddlier than these pure bred hamsters these days. In my day, hamsters were just hamsters and you could get any color, brown, white, black, and so on. You could also go to pet store and get more hamsters to live with other hamsters as long as they weren't males. Now days, they are all pure breeds, which means they cannot get along and they cannot live in a cage together, unless they were raised together.
Snakes aren't bad pets either. They are low maintenance. They require little to no handling. Some snakes will learn to be handled.
My point? If you find rats and snakes as scary creatures, visit someone who is happy having one as a pet. Watch from afar as that person interacts with their pet. It may help you see the animal as a being with feelings. That might help you with your fears.
People in Korea do not see dogs as beings with feelings so they have dog farms and butcher them as feed, like we do with cows. I hope this helps.
I didn't know where to post this but I need some information. Here's the thing. I'm scared to death of snakes. I've got a real life phobia about them. 
Ellen in PA 
:pumpki nsg 
