Copperhead snakes: What to know as you venture out this fall in Georgia
Worried about running into a venomous copperhead snake when you head outdoors this fall? Here's what you should be aware of to keep you and your pets safe:
1. Copperheads can be seen all over the state during the summer months and into early fall because it is mating season for the critters. Residents should identify the snake but not attempt to handle it. If bitten, seek medical help and avoid traditional remedies like sucking venom or applying ice.
2. Pets bitten by copperheads need urgent vet attention; owners should transport them immediately for antivenom. Methods to deter snakes include maintaining tidy yards and eliminating rodent habitats, although repellents like mothballs and sulfur are ineffective.
3. If you are bitten by a copperhead, remember to note the time that the bite happened. If you can, wash the bite with soap and water and put a clean, dry dressing on the area. Then you should go directly to a hospital.
Read more in the stories below:
NO. 1: YOU HAVE A COPPERHEAD SNAKE BITE & NO CELL SERVICE IN GA. HERE’S HOW TO SURVIVE
You may think all hope is lost, but don’t panic. Here’s what experts say to do in order to survive a copperhead bite until help comes. | Published July 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chelsea Madden
NO. 2: IF A COPPERHEAD BITES YOUR DOG OR CAT IN GEORGIA, FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO SAVE ITS LIFE
A copperhead snake just bit you cat or dog in Georgia. Here’s what you should do to help them survive. | Published July 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chelsea Madden
NO. 3: COPPERHEADS ON THE RISE IN GA RIGHT NOW. HERE’S WHY & HOW TO STAY SAFE, EXPERTS SAY
Late summer brings even more intense heat and humidity to Georgia and as if we didn’t already have enough to battle outdoors, there’s one critter that is surging even more now. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chelsea Madden
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.