When challenged (& appropriate to time & place) you can point out (for example): that most snakes are very fussy eaters (we don't smell like their food!), &
that they actually aren't out to bite us but instead bite out of fear & self-defense- & remind them how big & scary we appear to snakes. Explain that snakes
rely on their excellent sense of smell & touch (instead of vision to identify things) & that they are deaf. <many ppl don't realize that...they'll say they yelled
at a snake to leave their yard & killed it when it wouldn't...

When you can point out something about snakes that the person doesn't know, they may then
realize that their information may be all wrong...even if they don't admit it to you at the time, they may think about it. I've had people come back to ask more
questions once they were intrigued with some "new" information. Just crack open the door & let some "light" in, if & when you can.