Quote Originally Posted by BPelizabeth View Post
I live out in the desert and we have a preserves on both sides of us...even though it is a community. We see rattle snakes on a yearly basis. Personally scares the bejezus out of me. We do teach desert safety and we teach kids not to do certain things. One being...if the ball goes under a bush....get a rake to get it....do NOT reach in and get it. Be aware when you are out in the desert ..listen and look. We also take precautions to make sure that our backyard is blocked off. We net off the holes in the walls that allow water to flow out....make sure our gates are tight to the ground etc. If and when I see rattle snakes...we have a number to call so they are relocated. However lots of others kill them. We also have many kingsnakes here...those are treated like little gods around here.

To me if it can be relocated...then do it. After all...we moved into their turf.
very good info most accidents can be avoided with a small amount of education. On a side note I have noticed though at least from my personal experience the last say 6 or 7 rattlers that I have come across do not rattle. I wish I could find the article but researchers were saying that rattlers are becoming less likely to rattle and give away their positions. They are relying more on their camo for protection.